logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2014
29m 18s

The Voices of Robert Wyatt

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Robert Wyatt has been recognised as a prog-rock drummer, jazz composer, avant-garde cornet player, artist and activist in a wheelchair. But, above all else, he has been known by one of the most instantly recognisable and distinctive voices of the last fifty years.

Forever associated with Shipbuilding, Elvis Costello's song written in reaction to the Falklands War, Wyatt's voice and the causes he gives voice to are intricately entwined.

This intimate radio portrait, in his own words, traces Wyatt's journey from the psychedelic excesses of Soft Machine (appearing both with Jimi Hendrix and at the BBC Proms), through the life-changing accident that has confined him to a wheelchair for almost forty years, to recent celebrated musical projects that are reaching new audiences.

Produced by Alan Hall. A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.

Up next
Sep 2014
Jay-Z: From Brooklyn to the Boardroom
Ten years ago rap superstar Jay-Z was struggling to get a record deal after being spurned by every major label - so he started his own. A decade on, with 20 million CD sales under his belt, he is now a major music industry player, and currently reigns as president of the legendar ... Show More
29m 17s
Sep 2014
Beat Mining with the Vinyl Hoover
Broadcaster Toby Amies digs into the archives to discover the value and significance of old vinyl. He uncovers a network of dealers and buyers, supplying a community of 'crate diggers' and 'beat miners' and a world in which samples from records bought for a few pence in a car boo ... Show More
56m 18s
Aug 2014
Kate Bush
In November 2005, Kate Bush broke a 12 year silence with the release of her double album 'Aerial', In this programme she gives a very rare interview to John Wilson in a special edition of Front Row, where she talks about why the album took so long to appear and tells some of the ... Show More
29m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2018
Elvis Costello
In a special edition of Mastertapes to celebrate National Album Day, Elvis Costello, the consummate album artist talks to John Wilson and plays his way back through a career that has spanned five decades, premiers exclusive tracks from his new album and takes questions from the a ... Show More
52m 40s
Jan 2022
32 Albums in, Elvis Costello is Just Getting Started
Elvis Costello burst onto the music scene in 1977 with the album My Aim Is True. Songs like “Alison” established him as a powerful new voice in rock. His next album, This Year’s Model, introduced hits like “Pump it Up,” which has resounded through stadiums and arenas across the c ... Show More
34m 12s
Aug 2017
Randy Newman - Sail Away
With six Grammys, three Emmys and two Oscars (from 20 Academy Award nominations) - to say nothing of his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and membership of both the Songwriters and the Rock & Roll Halls of Fame - means that Randy Newman has one of the most crowded mantelpie ... Show More
47m 6s
Dec 2018
THE BEATLES / BACK IN THE USSR /REAR CHANNELS / FAB WHITE ALBUM 5.1MIXES VOL. ONE
Making innovative use of technology while expanding the possibilities of recorded music, the Beatles urged experimentation by Martin and his recording engineers. Seeking ways to put chance occurrences to creative use, accidental guitar feedback, a resonating glass bottle, a tape ... Show More
2m 42s
Dec 2018
THE BEATLES / DEAR PRUDENCE / REAR CHANNELS / FAB REMIXED WHITE ALBUM 5.1MIXES VOL. ONE
Making innovative use of technology while expanding the possibilities of recorded music, the Beatles urged experimentation by Martin and his recording engineers. Seeking ways to put chance occurrences to creative use, accidental guitar feedback, a resonating glass bottle, a tape ... Show More
3m 57s
Dec 2018
THE BEATLES / BIRTHDAY / FRONT SPEAKERS / FAB SUPER DELUXE WHITE ALBUM 5.1MIXES VOL. TWO
Last Modified: 10 Dec, 2018 Description: Making innovative use of technology while expanding the possibilities of recorded music, the Beatles urged experimentation by Martin and his recording engineers. Seeking ways to put chance occurrences to creative use, accidental guitar fee ... Show More
2m 45s
Dec 2018
THE BEATLES / I WILL / FRONT CHANNELS / FAB REMIXED WHITE ALBUM 5.1MIXES VOL. ONE
Last Modified: 10 Dec, 2018 Description: Making innovative use of technology while expanding the possibilities of recorded music, the Beatles urged experimentation by Martin and his recording engineers. Seeking ways to put chance occurrences to creative use, accidental guitar fee ... Show More
1m 46s