Two Big Egos in a Small Car

Charles and Graham open with a look-back at the best albums of the year so far and what's coming next. Graham goes further with his report on Stuart Cosgrove's book, Harlem 69: The Future Of Soul, and then compares Lindsay Anderson's classic 1968 film, If, with The Rolling Stones' track Jig-saw Puzzle from that year's album,  Beggars Banquet. Charles reflects on the monarchy, the Beeb and the media after the passing of HRH Prince Philip and then looks forward to Sir Alan Ayckbourn's 85th play premiere and CH's 60th birthday.

In a packed programme, the duo move from an update on the secret rock connections of Harrogate  to a celebration of the life of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, co-founder of San Francisco's groundbreaking City Lights bookshop. Charles leads an update on the latest Government funding for beleaguered cultural organisations and Graham reveals his involvement in the new documentary about Harrogate-born music documentary filmmaker Tony Palmer. Charles reminisces about seeing Kelly Jones solo at York Barbican, as a new Stereophonics show is announced, speculates over the future of independent shop culture, and reacts to the National Theatre's debut film in lockdown, Romeo And Juliet. Oh, and here come vaccine passports...or not.

Graham updates Charles on progress in the writing of his book about Harrogate prog band Magna Carta. The duo discuss upcoming gigs and Charles examines the thorny issue of the representation of female artists on festival billing before welcoming special guest Tom Beer from York band Bull.

As the roadmap to recovery pushes on, Graham and Charles share their thoughts on what might or might not happen for the arts. Charles celebrates another Leeds' footballing great, Peter Lorimer, who died recently and asks why that team has never been able to escape the moniker 'Dirty Leeds'. Graham talks about a new book on British modernist architecture, Brutal North and Charles raises the spectre of statues with the recent threat of one of Bono in Dublin: what are they for and who should have them? Charles proposes an update for the Census, with an opportunity to cover some aspect of culture and Graham celebrates some lyrical ambition highlighting lyrics by prog rock legends Yes' Tales from Topographic Oceans.

Charles tries to encourage Graham to ponder his favourite ‘mother’ related songs’ and the power of podcasts. Graham talks more about his take on the James Acaster book Perfect Sound Whatever and Charles looks at albums that when they were originally released were less acclaimed or even noticed than they are today and asks Graham to think about recent albums that have been overlooked but could be a future classic. Graham talks about the Harrogate Film Festival who have recently announced their headline guest, US film director, Oliver Stone and Charles examines the new events being planned by Harrogate arts organisations.

Graham remembers the classical music reviewer, George Pyman and Charles assesses the health of reviews and reviewing across the arts and compares it to sports reporting. Charles also celebrates the rise and rise of James who release their sixteenth album later this year. The duo elaborate on local plans to get live arts and culture back into our lives as soon as the Covid-19 roadmap allows.

As the vaccination process continues Graham and Charles discuss the likelihood of a return this year for outdoor music festivals and  enjoy  the return of two favourite Scottish bands: Mogwai and Arab Strap and remember one of the founders of the Supremes, Mary Wilson.  Graham investigates Martin Scorsese's view that the Netflix algorithm is the latest nail in true cinema's coffin and reflects on ex-Talking Heads David Byrne's words of wisdom.

Charles and Graham get philosophical and look at how the arts contributes to and challenges the notion of freedom of speech. What difference will the latest Covid-19 Roadmap make for arts and culture? And Graham gives an update on his own book project about Harrogate musician Chris Simpson and the folk rock band, Magna Carta.

In this week's 30th edition Charles and Graham interview artist Jake Attree about his current online exhibition at Messums. Graham follows up on last week's John Boorman item with the latest fruits of his current reading obsession and Charles tries to second guess what lies ahead gigs wise.

About Jake Attree:
Born in York, where he first studied painting, Jake Attree graduated from Liverpool College of Art and the Royal Academy Schools. He now lives with his wife, Lindsay, in the West Yorkshire village of Saltaire, near Bradford, and maintains a studio at Dean Clough in Halifax.  

Following Scotland's historic victory over England in the Calcutta Cup, Graham finds much to celebrate in the career of film director John Boorman. Charles gets an update on the latest Harrogate Film Festival news and the duo take a longer look at the plethora of distinctive film festivals in Yorkshire and recall the Rolling Stones on IMAX. Charles tries to tease out the current situation for cultural events moving forward.