All About The Music

• Samira Ahmed – The Blondie hit that’s about Debbie Harry’s stalker

  I suspected we might be listening to The Beatles in this episode. Instead I got Blondie and The Monkees, neither of which were expected… both of which put a big smile on my face! Welcome to another episode of All About The Music, where I’m joined by Samira Ahmed — broadcaster, journalist and author – whose interest in music is every bit as great and varied as you’d expect from a presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Front Row. From her first album – Blondie’s Parallel Lines – via piano lessons and Claude Debussy, to the bizarre brilliance of William Shatner covering Pulp’s Common People, Samira and I chat our way through many times in her life and find music at the heart of all of them. I absolutely loved picking apart the simple poetic magic of Nick Drake with someone who adores his work. And it’s always a pleasure to discuss how much better The Monkees are than many people assume! Follow Samira Ahmed: https://twitter.com/SamiraAhmedUK Find the Spotify playlist of all Samira’s selections here. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zesdmdIW0rheIt2Jkm96q Featured artists & tracks: Blondie, “One Way or Another”, “Heart of Glass” Nick Drake, “At the Chime of a City Clock”, “Parasite” Claude Debussy, “Arabesque No.1” The Monkees, “The Girl I Knew Somewhere” Frank Sinatra & Betty Garrett, “Come Up To My Place” Pulp, “Babies” William Shatner, “Common People” Connect With Us Stay in tune with All About The Music and join the conversation wherever you are: Website: allaboutthemusicpod.com — explore episodes, guest playlists, and behind-the-scenes stories. Instagram: @allaboutthemusic.pod — discover new episodes, reels, and the songs that shaped our guests. Facebook: facebook.com/allaboutthemusicpod — follow for updates, clips, and listener discussions. TikTok: @allaboutthemusicpod — enjoy bite-sized musical moments and highlights from the show.Follow Neil: @neil.brand.9 — for performances, live appearances, and...

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• Stephen Frost – Why the comedy star is tickled by The Streets

  What a joy to sit down with the brilliant Stephen Frost – comedian, actor, and master improviser. I’ve been lucky to know Stephen for years, but he’s loved by a great many more for his roles in The Young Ones, Blackadder, and Whose Line Is It Anyway? Stephen’s love of music is just as infectious as his onstage energy. In fact, you can feel that energy in many of his choices! He loves the hit of an intro that grabs hold of you from the outset – step forward, Status Quo and Thin Lizzy. There’s also a real South London vibe to Stephen’s selection, which is no surprise as this has been his stomping ground for decades. He’s hung out in Brixton with the likes of Alabama 3 – famous for producing the track that became the theme music for The Sopranos. And he can’t help but love the humour of Mike Skinner that’s peppered throughout The Streets. But on a Sunday morning at home… it’s time for some jazz and the unmatched voice of Ella Fitzgerald. Listen to the Spotify playlist of all Stephen’s selections here - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QhU4BehXJDRTJqpT3rQpp Featured artists & tracks: Status Quo – “Mean Girl”, “Down Down” Thin Lizzy – “Dancing in the Moonlight”, “Jailbreak” Roxy Music – “Virginia Plain” Martha and the Muffins – “Echo Beach” The Streets – “Let’s Push Things Forward”, “Get Out of My House” Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – “Stompin’ at the Savoy” Ella Fitzgerald – “Blue Skies” Alabama 3 – “Woke Up This Morning”, “U Don’t Dans 3 Tekno” Connect With Us Stay in tune with All About The Music and join the conversation wherever you are: Website: allaboutthemusicpod.com — explore episodes, guest playlists, and behind-the-scenes stories. Instagram: @allaboutthemusic.pod — discover new episodes, reels, and the songs that shaped our guests. Facebook: facebook.com/allaboutthemusicpod — follow for updates, clips, and listener discussions. TikTok: @allaboutthemusicpod — enjoy bite-sized musical moments and highlights from the...

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• Bruno Tonioli - Freddie Mercury and a night at the opera

  Welcome to this episode of All About The Music, where I have the pleasure of sitting down with Bruno Tonioli – legendary dance judge, choreographer and, as I now know – wonderful storyteller (and teacher of Italian). Many will know Bruno from his decades on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars. Fewer will know of his days choreographing the biggest stars in the business or what he really likes to listen to in his own time. Bruno’s passion for music pours forth with every story he tells. And what’s so clear is his love of performance above all else – whether that’s the unstoppable energy of Tina Turner or the dramatic emotion of Leontyne Price’s portrayal of Aida. I love how he’s blended his musical passions with his career, culminating in his amazing tale of choreographing Freddie Mercury at the peak of his powers. But Bruno’s a simple fan too. We hear how he grew up waiting for every new single by Italian superstar Mina and how he loves the latest generation of performers, led by British solo star RAYE, who, in Bruno’s words, uses her voice like an instrument. Follow Bruno Tonioli: https://www.instagram.com/brunotonioliofficial/ Listen to the Spotify playlist of all Bruno’s selections here - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Ete6gxKdqZl3fu1fgflcx Featured artists & tracks: RAYE – “Oscar Winning Tears”, “Worth It” Tina Turner – “Proud Mary”, “Steamy Windows” Mina – “Amor Mio” Verdi - “O terra, addio” from Aida Freddie Mercury – “The Great Pretender”, “Barcelona” (with Montserrat Caballé)Connect With Us Stay in tune with All About The Music and join the conversation wherever you are: Website: allaboutthemusicpod.com — explore episodes, guest playlists, and behind-the-scenes stories. Instagram: @allaboutthemusic.pod — discover new episodes, reels, and the songs that shaped our guests. Facebook: facebook.com/allaboutthemusicpod — follow for updates, clips, and listener discussions. TikTok: @allaboutthemusicpod — enjoy bite-sized musical moments and highlights from the show.Follow Neil: @neil.brand.9 — for performances, live appearances, and my personal reflections on music. Share with your friends: Listen to All About The Music Because wherever you listen, it’s

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• Rob Bell - AC/DC unleashes the history presenter’s rebellious side

  Hello and welcome to this second episode of All About The Music, where I’m joined by Rob Bell – presenter of many TV shows that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed from the comfort of my sofa. Rob’s explored the history of bridges, railways, lighthouses, and even nuclear submarines. But it turns out his love of music is just as entertaining and fascinating. Two things quickly became clear to me during our conversation for the show… Rob loves instruments (especially brass), and for Rob – music means having a good time. Whether it’s the unstoppable drive of AC/DC, the energetic funk of Jamiroquai, or the humorous lyrics of Mose Allison, it’s difficult to listen to Rob’s choices without a smile on your face! Follow Rob: https://www.instagram.com/rob.bell/Find the Spotify playlist of all Rob Bell’s selections here. Featured artists & tracks: Jamiroquai, “Emergency on Planet Earth”, “When You Gonna Learn?” Ugly Duckling, “A Little Samba”, “I Did It Like This” AC/DC, “Back in Black”, “Riff Raff” Patrick Bruel, “Place des Grand Hommes”, « Casser La Voix » Mose Allison, “Your Mind Is On Vacation”, “I Don’t Worry About A Thing” Connect With Us Stay in tune with All About The Music and join the conversation wherever you are: Website: allaboutthemusicpod.com — explore episodes, guest playlists, and behind-the-scenes stories. Instagram: @allaboutthemusic.pod — discover new episodes, reels, and the songs that shaped our guests. Facebook: facebook.com/allaboutthemusicpod — follow for updates, clips, and listener discussions. TikTok: @allaboutthemusicpod — enjoy bite-sized musical moments and highlights from the show.Follow Neil: @neil.brand.9 — for performances, live appearances, and my personal reflections on music. Share with your friends: Listen to All About The Music Because wherever you listen, it’s all about the music. Somersault Studio

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• All About The Music — Trailer

  Hello, I’m Neil Brand — composer, pianist, and lifelong music lover — and I’d like to invite you on a new musical adventure.In All About The Music, I sit down with familiar faces from culture, comedy, and television to explore the songs that mean the most to them. Together, we uncover the memories, emotions, and moments behind their musical choices — and with my piano to hand, we dive into what makes that music so special.Across the series, I’m joined by guests including Keith Brymer Jones, Bruno Tonioli, and Samira Ahmed, whose soundtracks take us from laughter to reflection and from pop classics to timeless pieces. Expect powerful memories, unexpected stories, and moments of pure musical joy.You can listen to All About The Music on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms, with accompanying playlists for every episode on Spotify. Join us — where it really is all about the music.Visit allaboutthemusicpod.com for updates, extras, and behind-the-scenes stories.

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