Since scaling the dizzy heights between 1965-1970, with partner in harmony Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon’s solo career, despite a strong start, had gradually stalled from the mid-70’s onward and, by the 80’s he was pretty much regarded as a name from the past who, like other names from the past, continued to release LP’s that no longer caught the public’s interest. His album prior to ‘Graceland’, 1983’s ‘Hearts And Bones’, was considered a commercial flop (although it would receive retrospective critical acclaim) and, with the weight of failure on his shoulders, it looked like his best work was well behind him.
Living To Music – Paul Simon ‘Graceland’
by Greg Wilson on 31. Jan, 2012 in CD’s / Digital, Documentaries, Hear, Living To Music, Records, The Eighties, Video
Living To Music – The Stone Roses ‘The Stone Roses’
by Greg Wilson on 21. Dec, 2011 in Art & Design, CD’s / Digital, DJ / Club Culture, DJ Appearances, Hear, Living To Music, Manchester, Merseyside, Photography, Psychedelia, Records, The Beatles, The Eighties, The Nineties
As we enter 2012 I thought this would be the ideal Living To Music choice to kick off the year, especially given that the first Sunday in January is also the first day of a new year. This highly acclaimed and much-loved 1989 LP, which perfectly caught the mood of the times, provides us with the opportunity to re-visit the past, whilst looking ahead to the summer. When an announcement was made earlier this year, that The Stone Roses are to re-form for 2 shows at Manchester’s Heaton Park in June 2012 (with a 3rd later added), there was genuine intrigue and anticipation. This wasn’t a case of another comeback cash-in, but something more symbolic. If ever there was a band with unfinished business to accomplish, it’s The Stone Roses.
Living To Music – Michael Jackson ‘Off The Wall’
by Greg Wilson on 29. Nov, 2011 in Black Culture, CD’s / Digital, General, Hear, Living To Music, Records, The Seventies
This Sunday (Dec 4th), at 9pm, you’re invited to share a listening session with some likeminded souls, wherever you might be. This can be experienced either alone or communally, and you don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home to participate. Full lowdown here:
http://www.gregwilson.co.uk/2010/06/living-to-music/
Even though it's almost two and a half years since his death in June 2009, Michael Jackson remains ever-newsworthy. Only recently, the trial of the physician who administered the drugs that killed him, Dr Conrad Murray, came to a conclusion with Murray convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Random Influences On iTunes
by Greg Wilson on 25. Nov, 2011 in CD’s / Digital, Hear, Radio, Random Influences, Records, The Seventies, The Sixties
Very pleased to inform you that all 12 episodes of Random Influences are now available on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad via the Radio ditto app, downloadable for free from iTunes...
Back To Back To Basics
by Greg Wilson on 24. Nov, 2011 in CD’s / Digital, DJ / Club Culture, DJ Appearances, Hear, Mixes, Read, Records, The Nineties
Congratulations to Northern dance institution Back To Basics, which is 20 years old this week! To commemorate this pretty momentous occasion for what is the longest running club night in the world, Ralph Lawson, resident there since day one, has launched a blog, Basic Vision, in which he’ll be sharing his memories, most notably via a series of lovingly constructed mixes that document the music he’s played there down the years, which will come complete with Ralph’s accompanying track-by-track text.
Time Capsule
by Greg Wilson on 10. Nov, 2011 in Black Culture, CD’s / Digital, DJ / Club Culture, Magazines, Records, The Seventies
In December 2005 I wanted to do something to mark the 30th anniversary of when I made my club debut, on December 6th 1975 at the Chelsea Reach in New Brighton, and I came up with the idea of compiling a selection of 25 singles that I was carrying in my record crates at the time (we used to use old wooden drinks crates, which were the perfect size for 7” singles – the 12” not making its appearance until the following year).
Living To Music – Janelle Monáe ‘The ArchAndroid’
by Greg Wilson on 31. Oct, 2011 in CD’s / Digital, Hear, Living To Music, Records
This Sunday (Nov 6th), at 9pm, you’re invited to share a listening session with some likeminded souls, wherever you might be. This can be experienced either alone or communally, and you don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home to participate. Full lowdown here:
http://www.gregwilson.co.uk/2010/06/living-to-music/
Music Is Better Re-Edited Highlights
by Greg Wilson on 27. Sep, 2011 in CD’s / Digital, DJ / Club Culture, DJ Appearances, Hear, Manchester, Mixes, Remixes / Edits
Just dug out a copy of the Music Is Better CD, a limited edition of 500 that followed my DJ comeback on December 20th 2003 at the Music Is Better night in The Attic, Manchester. It’s now been made available on my SoundCloud as exclusive content (which means you can’t see the waveform to stream/download unless you’re signed in).
Living To Music – Nirvana ‘Nevermind’
by Greg Wilson on 26. Sep, 2011 in CD’s / Digital, Hear, Living To Music, Photography, Records, The Nineties
This Sunday (Oct 2nd), at 9pm, you’re invited to share a listening session with some likeminded souls, wherever you might be. This can be experienced either alone or communally, and you don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home to participate. Full lowdown here:
http://www.gregwilson.co.uk/2010/06/living-to-music/
Living To Music – James Brown ‘Live At The Apollo’
by Greg Wilson on 30. Aug, 2011 in Black Culture, CD’s / Digital, Hear, Living To Music, Records, The Sixties
The oldest Living To Music inclusion to date, recorded on October 24th 1962, before Martin Luther King made his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, before JFK was assassinated, before Dylan released ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’, and just as The Beatles had started out on their recording career (their first single, ‘Love Me Do’, released just a few weeks earlier). In a modern context, this is ancient history, yet its influence is still felt today, even if people don’t realise the full gravity of Brown’s legacy.
Being a DJ
I’m a DJ from Merseyside. I started out in 1975, but stopped for almost 20 years, between 1984 and the end of 2003, at which point I started again.
One night during the period I wasn’t deejaying, turning off my mind, relaxing, and floating downstream I had what might be termed a moment of clarity. Paradoxically, although I was no longer a DJ in the literal sense I suddenly became aware that I’d never actually stopped being a DJ, for even if I was in a room with just one person I couldn’t help but ask them ‘have you heard this?’, and not only ‘heard’, but ‘have you seen this / read this?’, for it goes beyond music. Already taken somewhat aback by this nugget of self-discovery, I realised, in true eureka style, that this all pre-dates my being a DJ and goes back as far as I can remember – I’ve always had an inherent need to share, it’s absolutely central to my nature. This was quite a revelation.
So it’s no wonder that I became a Disc Jockey, for once I fell in love with those circular pieces of magical plastic during my formative years, it wasn’t a matter of choosing this as a path, the path pretty much chose me.
I don’t intend this to be a DJ blog as such, but more a blog by someone who happens to be a DJ – a place where personal emphasis takes precedence over professional, although, as I’ve already explained, the two aspects are, of course, inescapably entwined.
If you want info about my DJ appearances, email greg@gregwilson.co.uk for regular updates.
Related Links
Post Archive
- Don Cornelius
- Living To Music – Paul Simon ‘Graceland’
- Redesigned Revitalized
- DJ Streets Ahead
- Etta James
- Ali At Three Score And Ten
- Jimmy Castor
- Confused, Misused And In The Dark
- Eve Arnold
- Year Of Decision
- Living To Music – The Stone Roses ‘The Stone Roses’
- Christmas Classics
- Remix, Cut ‘n’ Paste, Mash-Up and Edit
- The Masked Movement
- Living To Music – Michael Jackson ‘Off The Wall’
- My First 12″ 08. Jul, 2010
- Living To Music 27. Jun, 2010
- Living To Music – Pink Floyd ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ 31. Aug, 2010
- Living To Music – Marvin Gaye ‘What’s Going On’ 25. Jul, 2010
- Celebration Of The Mediocre 21. Dec, 2010
- Living To Music – Stevie Wonder ‘Innervisions’ 01. Feb, 2011
- Living To Music – Kate Bush ‘Hounds Of Love’ 04. Nov, 2010
- My First X 19. Jul, 2010
- Living To Music – The Beatles ‘Abbey Road’ 26. Sep, 2010
- My First Record 24. Nov, 2010
- Don Cornelius 01. Feb, 2012
- Living To Music – Paul Simon ‘Graceland’ 31. Jan, 2012
- Redesigned Revitalized 27. Jan, 2012
- DJ Streets Ahead 26. Jan, 2012
- Etta James 21. Jan, 2012
- Ali At Three Score And Ten 17. Jan, 2012
- Jimmy Castor 17. Jan, 2012
- Confused, Misused And In The Dark 13. Jan, 2012
- Eve Arnold 10. Jan, 2012
- Year Of Decision 06. Jan, 2012
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greg wilson: A powerful listening experience. ‘Graceland’, and ...
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Dan Smith: Yep, myself, Naomi, Rosie and co listened to Grace...
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Naomi: I love this album. I had never listened to it unti...
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oliver kendall: So, in my living room with Rosa. Rosa said it w...
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greg wilson: Just added an extra paragraph re the BBC Omnibus '...
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Maz: I never get tired of watching old episodes or clip...
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Ralph Randell: Nice one Greg Don was An Icon , a living legend ...
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Arturo Maggs: Watching American Bandstand,then Soul Train on Sat...
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Virgilio Templeton: Watch it yourself and you may see him. If the came...
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Cristobal Sao: Watching American Bandstand,then Soul Train on Sat...
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