About this episode
In this special episode we celebrate the last four years with clips from twelve of the best 100 shows we've recorded in that time. Following an intro from Spandau Ballet mainmain Gary Kemp speaking in January 2023, we reflect on what we have (or haven't) learned over those four years, then play and discuss clips from these episodes: Record Mirror legend Norman Jopling on first seeing the "Rollin' Stones" in 1963 ( December 2021 ) Writer-photographer Val Wilmer on interviewing Jimi Hendrix in 1967 ( May 2024 ) the Village Voice 's Richard Goldstein on not caring if he was "America's first rock critic" ( September 2022 ) Creem veteran Jaan Uhelszki remembering her "almost famous" colleague Lester Bangs ( May 2022 ) Author-filmmaker Nelson George on not reviewing the Brothers Johnson as if they were Bob Dylan ( July 2021 ) Billboard 's first rap editor Havelock Nelson on being influenced by Nelson George ( March 2025 ) NPR's Ann Powers on being influenced by Greil Marcus ( June 2024 ) The New Statesman 's Kate Mossman on her (not-so) secret passion for jazz fusion ( February 2022 ) "Freak-folk" icon Vashti Bunyan on her love of hymns and carols ( April 2022 ) Vashti's 1970 producer Joe Boyd on producing Kate & Anna McGarrigle and the magic of sibling harmonies ( September 2024 ) and... Island Records mogul Chris Blackwell recalling the al fresco recording of John Martyn's 'Small Hours' ( September 2022 ) After our navel-gazing saunter down memory lane, Mark tells us about the week's new audio interview, in which Amy Linden asks Lauryn Hill , Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel about [the] Fugees ' classic 1996 album The Score . Mark then quotes from newly-added RBP library pieces about David Bowie's Diamond Dogs (1974), Tears for Fears (1982) and Jeffrey Lee Pierce (1985) and Jasper wraps things up with thoughts on pieces about System of a Down (2003) and ex-Black Midi man Geordie Greep (2024). Finally, a big shout-out to the many great guests who've joined us over the past four years: thank you all for your time and reminiscences! Pieces discussed: Norman Jopling on Record Mirror + Rhythm & Blues + Rolling Stones , Val Wilmer on free jazz + photography + Lesley Gore audio , Richard Goldstein on '60s pop writing + the Shangri-Las + Shadow Morton , Robert Duncan & Jaan Uhelzski on Lester Bangs + Creem + Suicide , Nelson George on the Death of R&B + Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis audio , Havelock Nelson on Hip Hop + Missy Elliott + Atlantic Records , Ann Powers on Joni Mitchell + Tori Amos + Women in Pop , Vashti Bunyan on Wayward + Nick Drake + Joe Boyd audio , Joe Boyd on global music + Kate & Anna McGarrigle , Chris Blackwell on Island from Millie to U2 + Bunny Wailer , The Fugees (1996) , David Bowie: Diamond Dogs (RCA Victor) , Tears For Fears: Ready Teddy Go! , Jeffrey Lee Pierce: On The Trail Of The Wild Weed , System of a Down: "We're in World War III!"