Two Big Egos in a Small Car

Graham discusses Paul Simon's new magnum opus, Seven Psalms, versus Ed Sheeran's Subtract, and ponders Simon then and now. Charles wonders how Simon's veteran work stands up against Bob Dylan’s latest recordings.

Charles catches Little Richard: I Am Everything at City Screen Picturehouse, York, wherein documentary maker Lisa Cortes states his case to be the true King of Rock‘n’Roll. Is she right?

Graham updates on Chris Simpson's cult band Magna Carta and their putative link to a new Guy Ritchie film about Swinging Sixties London that never happened. Look out for a new Magna Carta compilation on Repertoire Records, by the way.

Charles reviews Richard E. Grant on tour at the Grand Opera House, York, York, promoting his latest book, A Pocketful Of Happiness, and Graham considers whether Grant is a link to a bygone screen age when actors had charm and raconteur skills.

Charles finally gets to report on his experience at the Martin Creed exhibition at the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate. Graham shares an update on his return to his Vinyl Sessions music talks in a fundraiser for the  Harrogate Hospital charity and lays bare his theories about the end of The Beatles in 1969/70. He also reports on a sublime gig by the David Brewis Orchestra in Leeds performing The Soft Struggles album at Leeds Grand ’s Assembly Room - David Brewis being one half of the acclaimed Field Music a venue that Charles argues has come into its own. Charles introduces the new musical theatre production based on the 1989 cult film, Heathers, reckoning that its resonance is even stronger now than when the film was originally made.

Charles finally gets to report on his experience at the Martin Creed exhibition at the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate. Graham shares an update on his return to his Vinyl Sessions music talks in a fundraiser for the  Harrogate Hospital charity and lays bare his theories about the end of The Beatles in 1969/70. He also reports on a sublime gig by the David Brewis Orchestra in Leeds performing The Soft Struggles album at Leeds Grand ’s Assembly Room - David Brewis being one half of the acclaimed Field Music a venue that Charles argues has come into its own. Charles introduces the new musical theatre production based on the 1989 cult film, Heathers, reckoning that its resonance is even stronger now than when the film was originally made.

Graham and Charles discuss whether 2023 has  been a bad year for movies so far but conclude that perhaps  hope is on its way from the Cannes festival. Hope for sure with the new films by Martin Scorsese and Ken Loach.  Should we look forward to the world of AI-generated films? Charles takes up the discussion about bad audience behaviour at musical theatre: could Shakespeare be next?Graham pays tribute to the career of literary titan Martin Amis, whose final chapter has closed at the age of 73. 

Graham and Charles discuss whether 2023 has  been a bad year for movies so far but conclude that perhaps  hope is on its way from the Cannes festival. Hope for sure with the new films by Martin Scorsese and Ken Loach.  Should we look forward to the world of AI-generated films? Charles takes up the discussion about bad audience behaviour at musical theatre: could Shakespeare be next?Graham pays tribute to the career of literary titan Martin Amis, whose final chapter has closed at the age of 73. 

Graham  and Charles look at the impact of the copyright court case against Ed Sheeran and the trend for confessional albums as Sheeran releases his latest, Subtract. Non-pilgrim Charles reflects on his frustrating encounter with the new film based on Rachel Joyce's novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry and Graham ponders what makes British films  work - or not. Graham makes great use of bumping into Bob Stanley (founder of Saint Etienne and acclaimed pop music author) in Harrogate (again) and learns about the possible subjects for his next two books. In York, Charles catches all three cast configurations of Mayflies, Gus Gowland's new musical about online dating and romance in the modern age, premiered at theTheatre Royal.

Graham  and Charles look at the impact of the copyright court case against Ed Sheeran and the trend for confessional albums as Sheeran releases his latest, Subtract. Non-pilgrim Charles reflects on his frustrating encounter with the new film based on Rachel Joyce's novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry and Graham ponders what makes British films  work - or not. Graham makes great use of bumping into Bob Stanley (founder of Saint Etienne and acclaimed pop music author) in Harrogate (again) and learns about the possible subjects for his next two books. In York, Charles catches all three cast configurations of Mayflies, Gus Gowland's new musical about online dating and romance in the modern age, premiered at theTheatre Royal.

Sympathy for the Sheeran: Why Ed deserves to beat Marvin Gaye in the current copyright court case. And why Status Quo's Francis Rossi has a point. Does the downgrading of old skool indie DJs Mark Riley and Gideon Coe mean the beginning of the end for BBC 6 Music? Brassed Off and The Full Monty have a lot to answer for: what the latest sentimental Brit comedy starring Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton says about British tastes.

Graham and Charles focus on art this week. Graham looks at three high quality contemporary art exhibitions on at the same time in three different galleries in Harrogate and Charles enthuses about York Open Studios, especially some of the artists opening up their studios for the first time.

Charles raves about the riches of York Open Studios

Graham and Charles focus on art this week. Graham looks at three high quality contemporary art exhibitions on at the same time in three different galleries in Harrogate and Charles enthuses about York Open Studios, especially some of the artists opening up their studios for the first time.

Charles raves about the riches of York Open Studios