Peel Acres 

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The Collection explores some of the world's most exciting record collections.

The Collection explores some of the world's most exciting record collections, sharing the infinite stories that spring from the music within them.

The Collection explores some of the world's largest and most exciting record collections, picking out the best of the best tracks, and sharing the infinite stories that spring from those discoveries.

The Collection: Peel Acres: Charlie Bones

Peel Acres

Charlie Bones

BBC Radio 6 Music - The Collection, Peel Acres, Charlie Bones

Tom Ravenscroft invites guests to Peel Acres: the home of John Peel's music collection.

Radio DJ Charlie Bones is Tom Ravenscroft’s latest guest to Peel Acres; the home of his dad, John Peel, and his legendary music collection.

John’s broadcasting career spanned five decades,  over which time he meticulously catalogued tens of thousands of records.

Presenter: Tom Ravenscroft
Producers: Kevin Core and Becca Bryers
Editor: James Cook


Episode Sleeve Notes

Track 1: Sure 'Nuff 'N Yes I Do - Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band (from Dropout Boogie)
Charlie’s first pick is a 1970 stereo reissue of the debut album from avant-garde, genre-blending, singer-songwriter Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. The LP was first released three years earlier, under a completely different title: Safe As Milk. 
 
Track 2: Lemon Flower - Ivor Cutler (from Jammy Smears)
Scottish humourist poet and musician Ivor Cutler became known for his regular performances on John Peel’s Radio 1 show - as well as elsewhere on the BBC. He would often accompany himself on a harmonium. This 1976 album features 31 tracks - the shortest, just 8 seconds long.

Track 3: Sif Safa - Mohamed Moneer (from Yalla - Hitlist Egypt)
Charlie is excited to find this 1990 compilation album from Island Records, featuring a track by Egyptian singer (and actor) Mohamed Mounir, whose musical career spans over 40 years.  

Track 4: Chuerailheli Cow Bells Man’s Solo (pasture) (from Jodel of the Muotatal (Switzerland))
Recorded in 1979, this album features the yodelling voices of cattle herders in Switzerland's Muotatal valley, accompanied by the clang of cowbells. Charlie owns the LP himself and played it on his NTS radio show.

Track 5: Manaquib Chisti - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (from En Concert A Paris)
Pakistani artist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is known as one of the greatest qawaali singers in history; qawaali being a form of Sufi Islamic devotional singing. This live album was recorded by Radio France in November 1985. Charlie also mentions another of Nusrat’s albums, Magic Touch, which was made in collaboration with producer Bally Sagoo and released on Birmingham-based label Oriental Star Agencies.

Track 6: Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops - Cocteau Twins
Next Charlie pulls out his favourite song by Scottish band Cocteau Twins - who pioneered the 1980s subgenre of dream pop. The trio took their name from a song by another Scottish band, Johnny and the Self-Abusers - who renamed themselves Simple Minds. 

Track 7: Me No Pop I - Coati Mundi
This single was a top 40 UK hit for American singer and percussionist Coati Mundi - aka Andy Hernandez  - best known for being a member of Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Charlie recommends everyone should watch the video of Coati Mundi singing and dancing his way through Washington Square Park, in New York.

Track 8: ‘Bye ‘Bye Brenda - Len Liggins (from A Head Full of Ants)

Charlie’s only true “lucky dip” selection was this, by Leeds-based singer-songwriter Len Liggens. It turns out Len is also a member of The Ukrainians, along with Peter Solowka from The Wedding Present. The band launched following the success of a special Ukrainian-language John Peel session.

Track 9: The Missing Link / Mentally Murdered - Napalm Death (from Mentally Murdered)

And finally - a 12” single from Napalm Death; pioneers of the grindcore genre. Charlie remembers John playing some of the band’s super-heavy but super-brief tracks on his Radio 1 show - in fact, they hold the world record for the shortest recorded song ever: You Suffer at 1.316 seconds.

The Collection: Peel Acres

BBC Radio 6 Music

Classic concerts & sessions from the BBC's vast music store. It's your musical heritage.

BBC 6 Music brings together the cutting edge music of today, the iconic and groundbreaking music of the past 40 years and unlimited access

Tom Ravenscroft invites a different guest each week to Peel Acres: the home of his dad, former BBC Radio DJ John Peel (who passed away in 2004), and his legendary music collection.

6 Music's Tom Ravenscroft invites a different guest each week to Peel Acres: the home of his dad, former BBC Radio DJ John Peel (who passed away in 2004), and his legendary music collection.

John was an English DJ, broadcaster and journalist. His broadcasting career spanned five decades, and he was known for hosting his regular Peel Sessions on his BBC Radio 1 show. He played an instrumental role in the early careers of many bands, including Pulp, The Smiths, The Undertones and The White Stripes.

Tom's guests will lend a hand (and two ears) in making sense of this vast record archive, which comprises tens of thousands of albums and singles, built over a lifetime and meticulously catalogued.

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