Adam Walton playlist and show info: Sunday 1 January 2012
This week's show is now available via the BBC iPlayer.
It was the most mortifying moment of my broadcasting career so far. Yep, even worse than introducing Blazin' Squad at the Big Buzz in Cardiff (they never recovered either, thankfully). Definitely on a par with walking into Nick Cave's chest whilst tipsy at the 1994 Glastonbury Festival: "If you wanna kiss me, just ask; I can always kneel down for ya..."
It was the moment I finally arrived at our studio in Wrexham on the afternoon of 23 December 2011, lifted the fader and made fulsome, almost tearful, apologies for being an hour late. I've never been this late for an interview. And who was the recipient of this torrent of shabby excuses and hand-wringing apologies? Gruff Rhys, that's who.
I know how to pick 'em, I certainly do.
Fortunately Gruff is more of a gentleman than my tardiness deserved, which is why - for this, my last Sunday night show after 11 years of banjaxing late weekend insomniacs - I can treat you to an in depth interview with one of our greatest songwriters and musical visionaries. We don't talk much about what I'd intended (particularly Super Furry Animals), but we cover a lot of other ground that I've rarely heard Gruff discuss before: the east German secret police; Bethesda in the late 80s; the Welsh music that most inspired him early on. It's a long, broad-ranging chat with some choice tracks sprinkled in between. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed recording it. When I'd stopped blushing.
There was also a rosy hue to my cheeks the night that Georgia Ruth came and played a gig for us at the Gwydir Hotel in Betws Y Coed on 23 November 2011. That was due to the wonderful good spirit in the room, the open fire and the great music. I have 15 minutes of Georgia's enchanting set for you - a fine warm-up to get you excited for her first vinyl EP (In Luna) which will be released on Recordiau Gwymon on 20 February.
Just before Christmas Llwybr Llaethog released their 13th album, Curiad Cariad. It's a typically fascinating synthesis of dub, hip hop and shuddering grooves. They were unique when they started in the 80s. They're just as unique and compelling now. And they treat us to an insight into their dub roots and influences with a half-hour dub set.
And Ben Hayes comes in to treat us to a long swathe of transcendent musicianship from Caravan.
It's a great way to kiss goodbye to the Sunday nights. So, please note that our show moves to Saturday nights, 10pm to 1am, from this Saturday 7 January. I do hope you can join us in our ongoing celebration of Welsh music, either live or via the iPlayer.
Please continue to send new releases and demos as high quality mp3s or download links to: themysterytour@gmail.com.
Or to the postal address below:
BBC Wales
Canolfan y Diwydiannau Creadigol/Centre for the Creative Industries
Prifysgol Glyndŵr/Glyndŵr University
Wrecsam/Wrexham
LL11 2AW
So, make a note in your crisp, new diaries, in your calendar app, or in crayon on the kitchen wall: Saturday 7 January 10pm.
Many thanks/diolch o galon, Adam Walton.
SUPER FURRY ANIMALS - 'Mountain People'
Wales
GRUFF RHYS - 'Shark-ridden Waters'
Bethesda
GRUFF RHYS & TONY DA GATORRA - 'Oh Warra Hoo!'
Brazil / Bethesda
YAMASUKIS, THE - 'Aisere I Love You'
France
FUTURE OF THE LEFT - 'Chastity Drive'
Cardiff
GEORGIA RUTH - 'Ocean ( Live )'
Aberystwyth / Cardiff
GEORGIA RUTH - 'Bones ( Live )'
Aberystwyth / Cardiff
GEORGIA RUTH - 'A Slow Parade ( Live )'
Aberystwyth / Cardiff
GRUFF RHYS - 'If We Were Words (we Would Rhyme)'
Bethesda
GRUFF RHYS / Y NIWL - 'Y Baban Bach'
Bethesda / Gwynedd / Cardiff
GRUFF RHYS - 'Christopher Columbus'
Bethesda
GRUFF RHYS - 'Whale Trail'
Bethesda
GRUFF RHYS - 'Gwn Mi Wn'
Bethesda
FFA COFFI PAWB - 'Breichiau Hir'
Bethesda
MAFFIA MR HUWS - 'Gitar Yn Y To'
Bethesda
LES MORRISON - 'That's The Way The World Goes Round ( Live )'
Bethesda
DATBLYGU - 'Y Teimlad'
Cardigan
MANIC STREET PREACHERS - 'Let Robeson Sing'
Blackwood
Y NIWL - 'Un Deg Saith'
Gwynedd
GRUFF RHYS - 'Honey All Over'
Bethesda
LOVELY EGGS, THE - 'New Allergies'
Lancaster
CARAVAN - 'Can't Be Long Now / Francoise / For Richard / Warlock'
Canterbury
CARAVAN - 'Limits'
Canterbury
KEITH HUDSON - 'I'm Alright'
Kingston, Jamaica
LLWYBR LLAETHOG - 'Electro Sîan'
Blaenau Ffestiniog / Cardiff
KING TUBBY & THE UPSETTER - '300 Years Of The Grassroots'
Kingston, Jamaica
LLWYBR LLAETHOG - 'Mera Desh ( Remix )'
Blaenau Ffestiniog / Cardiff
KING TUBBY & THE AGGRAVATORS - 'A Ruffer Version'
Kingston, Jamaica
LLWYBR LLAETHOG - 'Ai Bod Dub'
Blaenau Ffestiniog / Cardiff
KING TUBBY & THE AGGRAVATORS - 'A Harder Version'
Kingston, Jamaica
LLWYBR LLAETHOG - 'Byd Mor Wahanol'
Blaenau Ffestiniog / Cardiff
GRUFF RHYS - 'Skylon!'
Bethesda
Comments Post your comment