Ubiquitous Andy

[johncorrigan]

I'd almost like to see him and Danny Baker put in a room to see which one comes out first*.

Well Danny is a prog rock kinda guy - ELP, YES, PF - a couple of notes of 'Tales from Topographic Oceans' would have Andy reaching for the off-switch, I reckon, and he'd find out there ain't one.

[ian russell]

Is he? I can't remember. For a while, long ago, We owned an old banger which I had to commute from Hemel Hempstead to Maidenhead. It only had an AM radio and it was always the Danny Baker show - I don't know which station but it might have been the fledgling radio 5. Or GLR.

I only mean that Baker could be equally garrulous and egocentric.

[johncorrigan]

Is he? I can't remember. For a while, long ago, We owned an old banger which I had to commute from Hemel Hempstead to Maidenhead. It only had an AM radio and it was always the Danny Baker show - I don't know which station but it might have been the fledgling radio 5. Or GLR.

I only mean that Baker could be equally garrulous and egocentric.

I knew what you meant Ian - in fledgling radio5 days he had a morning show - not that there was much competition, but it was the thing most worth listening to even putting up with the AM hiss and cackle that would have done credit to the halcyon days of Radio Luxemburg - he regularly celebrated the delights of Prog , hard at any time, harder in the morning and even harder through the hiss of the radio and the clanking of my car - I think that DB could out-talk AK - 'talk the hind legs off a donkey', as me old dad used to say - and I do believe he is the more garrulous and egocentric - Andy always stops for the music, Baker doesn't even break for the news - I'm sure he talks in his sleep - not that I have been listening in to his mobile or anything.

[Globaltruth]

On Twitter his handle is #prodnose, and it is a medium which suits him perfectly.

In the main entertaining....don't think music plays a great part in his life and he got stuck with the stuff he grew up listening to. This happens a lot.

Anyone looked at the soasradio.org station yet, there's a self-styled World DJ on there (Russ Jones, HackneyGT [GlobeTrotter] I think) that I would like a biased opinion on...GTH certainly thinks music is important in his life.

[Norfolk Born]

AK was also a guest on 'Loose Ends' last night, and soon got up this Forum member's metaphorical nose - and, I suspect, that of at least one other person in the studio. By an amazing coincidence, all these interviews have taken place just as his autobiography has been published.

[Globaltruth]

AK was also a guest on 'Loose Ends' last night, and soon got up this Forum member's metaphorical nose - and, I suspect, that of at least one other person in the studio. By an amazing coincidence, all these interviews have taken place just as his autobiography has been published.

Ofcachap - that particular coincidence was spotted on the 'he's your mate' thread a few days ago...another thread also concerned with his adventures in the world of media.

I'd merge the 2 but I think coverage is quite adequate...

I liked the comment someone made about a presenter defining his personality through the music h/she plays.

[johncorrigan]

I'd merge the 2 but I think coverage is quite adequate...

Sorry Global - that was me getting too enthusiatic - must be more careful.
I really did enjoy Andy's trip to the Sayan Ring Festival in Shushenskoe in deepest Siberia. The usual travelogue mix that we've got used to from him - his trip round the site of the festival is fun - there's a couple of references to andean pan pipes ( avoidance and coincidental) - Andy having a 'not bad' go at throat singing - the fags seemed to help - tons of throat singing from Huun-Huur-Tu among others - a coincidental meeting with a bunch of former Kraut rockers and a fine history of Fata Morgana and of course the necessary tour of Andy's loo in the tourist hotel. Looking forward to his next one already.

[ian russell]

AK was also a guest on 'Loose Ends' last night, and soon got up this Forum member's metaphorical nose - and, I suspect, that of at least one other person in the studio. By an amazing coincidence, all these interviews have taken place just as his autobiography has been published.

First time I've listened to Loose Ends; can there be a more lightweight show on Radio 4?

You know I feel like reading No Off Switch now, I sense I'm in tune with his opinions. But I won't buy it.

I'm going to try out that Hackney Globe Trotter fellow this afternoon, let you know what I think.

[johncorrigan]

You know I feel like reading No Off Switch now, I sense I'm in tune with his opinions. But I won't buy it.
I'm going to try out that Hackney Globe Trotter fellow this afternoon.

Do you think he's got a spare copy going, Ian?

[ian russell]

Do you think he's got a spare copy going, Ian?

If he thinks like me, and evidence so far says he might, he'll be wishing he never wrote the damn thing.

I'm listening to the Hackney Globe Trotter... Why does he talk like he's managing a minicab firm?

[ian russell]

I'm listening to the Hackney Globe Trotter... Why does he talk like he's managing a minicab firm?

I shouldn't mock, it was an enjoyable programme - no.59, I think. I can imagine dipping in to this station a few times more...

[Globaltruth]

I shouldn't mock, it was an enjoyable programme - no.59, I think. I can imagine dipping in to this station a few times more...

For new readers, guests, ghosts and those unfamiliar with IR's posting style, this constitutes an endorsement :)

[ian russell]

I see the Hackney Globe Trotter has pumped out no. 60 while we've talked... I'll review tomorrow.

[ian russell]

I see the Hackney Globe Trotter has pumped out no. 60 while we've talked... I'll review tomorrow.

Very good. I enjoyed the big sound of the opening tune by the Budos Band - they need checking out (I think I'll play it again).

And I think he's got a new regular listener.

Edit: FYI, this is the Groovalizacion radio station mentioned http://www.groovalizacion.com/?lang=es. Looking eclectic, love the photos (see, the patter is infectious).

That will have to wait until later (unless anyone else wishes to review it first).

[johncorrigan]

Just popped in out of the only occasionally relenting Hebridean sunshine - pretty marvellous really especially if you fancy a nippy dip in the Atlantic - and there's always been a fine breeze around to help retain your sense of reality. Did manage to finish Andy's auto - pretty enjoyable I thought - not many good parts for women mind you, when they come to make the movie. I don't read Autobiographies much, but the early stuff is less interesting, packed as it is with a bag full of hindsight, though there is a cracking chapter about the IOM TT and the return of Mike Hailwood when you see what a fine writer he can be.

The Leeds stuff was amusing but I suppose I vaguely recall Andy from OGWT and Live Aid - his SirBob and the Clash anecdote from Leeds is pretty good and when it gets to Live Aid you can see he struggled to have much to do with it because of shouting SirBob - did I detect a grudging respect, that can never speak its name? The chapters about Walters and Peel are great - he catches Peel really well and he's right (of course he is) - a book of anecdotes about Walters would be great.

The chapters on Biggie in Zimbabwe and the way he blagged his way onto the stadium floor and met Mandella are classic cheeky boy Kershaw. The Rwanda chapter is really well written and stands alone - nip into the bookshop and have a read - and I enjoyed the Haiti and the North Korea chapters though he keeps some dodgy company - Dame Ann Leslie - honestly Andy!

The finishing chapters about his reliance on the drink were very well told - he cuts a pretty lonely figure, but he does seem to have come through it. It was a good read I have to say.

But I was left thinking, it's great to hear him on the airwaves again, but I wish someone'd give him a two hour slot once a week on the radio with a bunch of records - I found myself really missing that through the book. Anyway I'm off back to the sun - see you next week - Byeeee!