PODCAST · music
Mastertapes
by BBC Radio 4
John Wilson talks with musicians about a career-defining album, and a live audience also puts questions. Featuring exclusive live performances.
Episodes
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Richard Hawley at the Crucible
In a special edition of Mastertapes, guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer, Richard Hawley welcomes John Wilson to the Crucible in his home town of Sheffield. Throughout his 33 (and a third?) year career as a musician (he first recorded a John Peel session at the age of 19, with his band,...
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Don McLean - American Pie
John Wilson returns with another run of the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition has John initially quizzing the artist about the…
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The Good, The Bad & The Queen
John Wilson returns with another run of the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Modern day super-group, DAMON ALBARN, PAUL SIMONON, TONY ALLEN…
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Lily Allen - No Shame
John Wilson returns with another run of the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Lily Allen talks to John Wilson about her fourth and most…
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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 audience. From his...
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Benjamin Clementine - At Least For Now
John Wilson concludes the seventh series of Mastertapes, the programme in which he talks to leading artists about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes John initially quizzing the artist about…
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Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb talks to John Wilson about his song writing career
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David Gray - White Ladder
John Wilson continues with another recording for the series in which leading artists discuss the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the...
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Emeli Sande - Our Version Of Events
John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes the programme in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John...
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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 mantelpieces in the world…
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Tom Jones - `Praise and Blame'
John Wilson continues with the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. The legendary TOM JONES talks to John Wilson about `Praise and Blame' - the...
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Craig David - Born To Do It
John Wilson continues with the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. CRAIG DAVID talks and plays his way back to 2000 and his debut album, "Born To...
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Shirley Collins - Love, Death And The Lady
John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes, the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. "Love, Death and the Lady" with Shirley Collins....
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Graham Nash - Songs For Beginners
John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in...
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Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle
John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes, the programme in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, with John initially quizzing the artist about...
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Paul McCartney
On the eve of the sixth series of Mastertapes (which features the likes of Laura Marling, Graham Nash and Shirley Collins) there is another chance to hear the Mastertapes special, in which Paul McCartney joins John Wilson. Recorded in the iconic BBC Maida Vale studios, they discuss songwriting,...
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Nigel Kennedy (the B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Nigel Kennedy questions about his record-breaking 1989 recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. With John Wilson at the...
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Nigel Kennedy (the A-Side)
Nigel Kennedy talks about his record breaking 1989 recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes…
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Bellowhead (the B Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Bellowhead questions about their 2010 album, 'Hedonism'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in...
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Bellowhead (the A Side)
Bellowhead talk, and play tracks from their most successful album, released in 2010, 'Hedonism'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition…
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Donovan (the B Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Donovan questions about his 1966 album Sunshine Superman. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it 'ignited the psychedelic revolution virtually single-handedly' when it was released in the summer of 1966. Series in...
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Donovan (the A-Side)
Donovan talks about his psychedelic revolution inspiring 1966 album Sunshine Superman. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two...
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Steel Pulse (the B Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask David Hinds and Selwyn Brown questions about Steel Pulse's 1978 debut album, 'Handsworth Revolution'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. David and Selwyn also perform exclusive live acoustic...
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Steel Pulse (the A Side)
David Hinds and Selwyn Brown talk about Steel Pulse's 1978 debut album, 'Handsworth Revolution'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition…
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Squeeze (the B Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford questions about Squeeze's 1981 album, 'East Side Story'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Chris and Glenn also perform exclusive live versions of some of…
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Squeeze (the A Side)
Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford talk about Squeeze's 1981 album, 'East Side Story'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two...
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Georgie Fame (the B Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Georgie Fame questions about his 1963 debut album, 'Rhythm & Blues at the Flamingo'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Georgie also performs exclusive live versions of some of the tracks…
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Georgie Fame (the A Side)
Georgie Fame talks about his 1963 debut album, 'Rhythm & Blues At The Flamingo'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes…
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Noel Gallagher (the B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Noel Gallagher about High Flying Birds', his first studio album since leaving Oasis, With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Noel also performs acoustic live versions of some of the tracks from…
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Noel Gallagher (the A-Side)
'Noel Gallagher's discusses his album High Flying Birds. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side....
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The Boomtown Rats (the B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Bob Geldof & the Boomtown Rats questions about "A Tonic For The Troops", their 1978 hit album. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. The band also performs live versions of some of the tracks…
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The Boomtown Rats (the A-Side)
The Boomtown Rats discuss their 1978 second album 'A Tonic for the Troops'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the...
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Manic Street Preachers (the A-Side)
Manic Street Preachers talk about their third, career-defining, 1994 album The Holy Bible. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two...
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Angélique Kidjo (the B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Angélique Kidjo questions about her 1994 breakthrough album, 'Ayé'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Angélique also performs acoustic live versions of some of the tracks from the album....
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Angélique Kidjo (the A-Side)
Angélique Kidjo, the "Queen of African music" discusses her 1994 breakthrough album, 'Ayé'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes…
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Manic Street Preachers (the B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Manic Street Preachers - James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore - questions about their 1994 album, 'The Holy Bible’. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. The band also performs…
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Rufus Wainwright
John Wilson chats to Rufus Wainwright about his life-changing album, 2003's Want One. Rufus tells the stories behind some of those songs, and sings and performs solo piano. As Rufus says himself, he has no filter. The two meet in a stylishly transformed Maida Vale Studio. Rufus also sings a...
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Rufus Wainwright (the A-Side)
Singer-songwriter-composer Rufus Wainwright talks about his breakthrough 2003 album, ‘Want One’. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition…
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Soul II Soul (B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler questions about Soul II Soul's debut 1989 album, 'Club Classics Vol 1'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Jazzie talks more about his own roots as a musician and...
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Soul II Soul (A-Side)
Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler discuss Soul II Soul's 1989 debut album, 'Club Classics Vol 1', which included the global hit 'Back to Life'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic...
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Edwyn Collins (B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Edwyn Collins questions about his 1994 album, 'Gorgeous George'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. With a small band, Edwyn performs acoustic live versions of some to the tracks from the…
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Edwyn Collins (A-Side)
Edwyn Collins discusses his 1994 album 'Gorgeous George', featuring the single 'A Girl Like You'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition...
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Natalie Merchant (the B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Natalie Merchant questions about her 1995 solo album, 'Tigerlily'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Natalie also performs live versions of some to the tracks from the album. Producer: Paul...
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Natalie Merchant (the A-Side)
Natalie Merchant discusses 'Tigerlily', her 1995 solo album made after leaving 10,000 Maniacs. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes...
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David Crosby (B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience questions David Crosby about his 1971 album, 'If I Could Only Remember My Name'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. David also performs live versions of some the tracks from that debut solo album...
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David Crosby (A-Side)
David Crosby discusses the making of his 1971 album If 'I Could Only Remember My Name'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two...
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Robbie Williams (A-Side)
Robbie Williams discusses the 1997 hit 'Life Thru a Lens', his first post-Take That album. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two...
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Robbie Williams (B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience questions Robbie Williams about his 1997 album, 'Life Thru a Lens', made after he left Take That. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Robbie Williams candidly responds to questions from the…
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Spandau Ballet (B-Side)
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp and Tony Hadley respond to audience questions about their 1983 hit album, 'True’. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Gary and Tony answer questions from the audience and perform…
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Spandau Ballet (A-Side)
Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp and Tony Hadley discuss their 1983 international hit album, 'True'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
John Wilson talks with musicians about a career-defining album, and a live audience also puts questions. Featuring exclusive live performances.
HOSTED BY
BBC Radio 4
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Mastertapes have?
Mastertapes currently has 72 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Mastertapes about?
John Wilson talks with musicians about a career-defining album, and a live audience also puts questions. Featuring exclusive live performances.
How often does Mastertapes release new episodes?
Mastertapes has 72 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Mastertapes?
You can listen to Mastertapes on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Mastertapes?
Mastertapes is created and hosted by BBC Radio 4.
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