How did I miss this?

In April 2007, a momentous milestone was met, as The Onion reported at the time:

This American Life Completes Documentation Of Liberal, Upper-Middle-Class Existence

Another top Documentary on One

The most recent edition of RTÉ's Documentary on One is a cracker.

Who fears to speak of '98? is about events in Gaelic Games in 1998 – I know little about the sport and have no memories of those events, but can still enjoy this doc. It presents the drama of sport through radio features techniques – and also brings a sense of wider tension, in the air around the stadium. The editing is great – nice techniques that create the atmosphere and feelings needed, without disgruntling some of the more traditionally mined listeners who are probably still significant for this slot.

For listeners outside Ireland there may be some accent and vocabulary difficulties, but I think it's still worth listening to!

Physical gallery show for Martin Williams

A gallery in London is to exhibit ten pieces by Martin Williams. Details below! I know a couple of the pieces, Billy, Pack it Up Will You? is (to my ears) classic Martin. And The Tourist has just been featured again on the Third Coast Festival's weekly radio show and podcast.

I have a notion I've heard some of the others, but I'd like to hear them again as my own awareness has changed. But I won't get a chance as I won't be in London!

The details:

MARTIN WILLIAMS

YORKSHIRE RELISH
-10 pieces for radio

3-6 July 2008: Thur 3/7: 6-9pm and Fri 4/7 - Sun 6/7: 12-6pm
Lorem Ipsum Gallery, 2b Vyner Street, London, E2 9HE


The Lorem Ipsum Gallery is pleased to present Yorkshire Relish - ten pieces for radio by Martin Williams.


“I put the dowt behind my ear and walked through to the kitchen. The switch! Electricity! The Slot! Jesus no shilling. No breakfast. Overcome with despair I sat down, close to tears.My mind was completely blank for some time. Then. Raw eggs! Very healthy. Yes and there was some Yorkshire Relish to mix in.”
-from Wednesday by James Kelman



Billy, Pack it Up Will You? (30mins)
A found photograph... midnight taxi journeys... false memories.
Featuring the voices of Polly Frame, Leah from Alderney St. cemetery, a handful of taxi drivers and folk from the street.

The Person I’m Talking About (15mins)
Combining an account of the inexorable progression of coastal erosion with inter-connected stories extrapolated from fleeting observations.
And songs.
Originally made for the Resonance FM series All Day Everyday. Featuring the voices of Malcolm Kirby, John the newsagent and customers.

He Always Did, He Always Will (30mins)
Melancholy dada: nonsense made musical.

Property is Theft (13mins)
A tea-towel from the washing line was found on the bedroom floor. All the drawers downstairs were open and their contents scattered.
Taking stock in the aftermath of a burglary.
With bowed guitar and home-insurance claim forms.

Two Thousand and Six (60mins)
Constructed out of a series of recordings made each day for a year.
Three hundred-and-sixty-five days as banal bricolage.

News From Cuba (30mins)
A sound portrait of Cuba.

I Can Remember It Very Well (30mins)
Radiophonic collage: ablutions, Baudrillard and bagpipes.

The Tourist (30mins)
The oblique saga of a fictional traveller.
The Tourist is lost. He can't sleep, or tune out the music emanating all around. Secretly he looks forward to the journey home.
Including quotes from James Clifford's Routes, John Berger's Here is Where We Meet and William Basinski's The Garden of Brokenness. Featuring the voices of Ana Bonaldo, Haimo Li and Maike Zimmermann.

Sometimes I think You Too Sweet to Die (30mins)
Musicalised hokum.

At Home the Woman Read the Words Aloud (13mins)
Home-spun stories.
Including a quote from Phenomenology of Perception by Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Originally made for the Resonance FM series No Place like Home.


For further information please phone Birthe Jorgensen: 44 079841 53375, e-mail: birthejorgensen@loremipsumgallery.com