This is an interactive listing of some of the radio appearances by Ivor Cutler, it is as correct and comprehensive as I can make it but unfortunately it is not a complete listing as Ivor has done so much radio work, any information of other sessions would be appreciated. Some of the tracks listed are linked to audio files to either listen to immediately or for download to play later (these will appear highlighted and underlined with either (.rm) or (.mp3) after them). You will find the audio tracks are in two different formats, there are the Real Media files (rm), which will stream live without being downloaded to your computer first, you will require the Real Player software to play these tracks. If you do not have this software you can find a free Real Media Player at = http://www.real.com/ the free player is towards the bottom of this page. There are also some files in the popular MP3 format (mp3) these are for downloading to play when saved and cannot be streamed live, should you need a player for these file you can find a very good free one at = http://www.musicmatch.com/
This is possibly the first material Ivor ever recorded for the BBC
Broadcast 23rd November 1959 repeated 21st December 1959 (Christmas edition)
Ivor's first radio appearances were on the BBC Home Service between 1958 to 1963 this is one of the 38 tracks Ivor performed for the Monday Night at Home program, that were published in his first book 'Gruts' in 1962 some of these original recordings were later released on the LP 'Gruts' in 1986.
Recorded 5th May 1969 first broadcast 7th May 1969. Studio 2, Sub-basement, Broadcasting House.
Ivor Cutler:
voice, piano, harmonium
Produced by Pete Ritzema
Engineer: Mike Harding
This was the first of the many sessions that Ivor has done for the John Peel radio show.
Recorded 8th December 1970 first broadcast 26th December 1970
Presented by John Peel a selection of various Christmas carols and hymns performed by Marc Bolan, John Peel, Sonja Kristina, Soft Machine, Rod Stewart, The Faces, David Bedford (from Top Gear) and Ivor Cutler.
Recorded 18th May 1970 broadcast 23rd May 1970
A selection of items presented during a noon to midnight reading at the Round House London, introduced and produced by George Macbeth. Many poets contributing, Ivor only listed as performing the one piece.
Recorded 15th February 1971 first broadcast 27th February and *8/5/71 (on Top
Gear)
Produced by John Walters
Engineer: Bob Conduct
Recorded 8th November 1971 first broadcast 24th November 1971
Recorded 3rd September 1973 first broadcast 25th September 1973
Recorded 25th September 1975 first broadcast 14th October 1975
Recorded 17th
August 1976 first broadcast 31st August 1976.
Mainly composed of songs and poems from the album Jammy Smears.
Recorded 10th
August 1977 first broadcast 17th August 1977.
Also released as a 12" EP on the Strange Fruit record label (Released 1989
- catalogue no SFPS068) as part of "The Peel Sessions" series
featuring many of the acts that have appeared on the John Peel show.
Recorded 3rd April 1978 first broadcast 12 April 1978.
Recorded 20th
February 1979 first broadcast 27th February 1979.
This was one of John Peels favorite sessions and was partly repeated many years later
in John Peel's series "Peel's Pleasures".
Recorded 15th April 1981 first broadcast 22nd April 1981.
Recorded and broadcast 18th August 1981
Ivor Cutler and Phyllis King interviewed by Brian Mathews on their comedy show at the Edinburgh festival, included extracts. (A note on the BBC archive describes Ivor as an euthymographer i.e of cheerful disposition)
Recorded and broadcast 1st February 1982
Ivor interviewed by Ted Harrison on his life and career and the type of audience he appeals to.
BBC archive notes = Would describe himself as a humorist, people who have minds like children like his music and poems, most creative at 3 or 4 in the morning, when his intellect is at its lowest, enjoys performing, live alone in a flat in North London, goes out on his bicycle at least once a day
Recorded 19th December 1980 first broadcast 22nd May 1982.
Comprised of a selection of Phyllis Kings stories and poems some accompanied by Ivor on the Harmonium, Ivor also performed a number of his own pieces listed below
Broadcast 26th February 1983
An interview with John Walters. - BBC archive notes = Cutler has always been 'groovy'. Worked as a teacher in the 1950's. Wanted to be a painter, so tried to make money by writing songs - never intended to be a performer. His accent. Work a synthesis of half remembered memories. Angry he was not understood when a child. His 'organic' quality derived from working with children. Feels he is like a naughty boy. Political views - supports Greenham common women, thinks women should take over. Feels need for some authority. Thinks Walters is twisting his words.
Recorded 23rd
February 1983 first broadcast 3rd March 1983.
On this session Ivor used material from the album Privilege.
Recorded 3rd December 1983 broadcast 1st January 1984
The Poetry Olympics at the Young Vic - ' A celebration of Frances Horovitz' Hunter Davies presents a selection of poets and interviews them on the current poetry boom.
Recorded and broadcast 6th January 1984
BBC archive notes = Now in his 60's Ivor Cutler has many achievements to his name, numerous records, 9 books, an appearance in a Beatles film & a Pye radio award. At present he is on the poetry-reading circuit, where he is a cult figure, Phyllis King accompanist and friend of Ivor Cutler talks about working with him, He was inspired by Kafka & much of his work is based on his childhood in Glasgow. Was a primary school teacher when first embarked on work as a humorist - interview with David Wade whose son was a pupil of Ivor Cutler's. He has now given up teaching and lives in an upstairs flat in North London, considers himself a medium, values life highly but has often considered suicide.
Ivor Cutler Profile (rm)
Recorded 15th February 1984 first broadcast 22nd February 1984
Presented by Richard Skinner
Recorded 30th June 1985 first broadcast 15th July 1985.
Recorded and broadcast 10th May 1986
Interviewed by Ned Sherrin. BBC archive notes = Sherrin: anecdote about meeting Cutler at offices of Box & Cox (theatrical agents). Cutler: anecdote about his first meeting with his first promoter Mr. Box. Thinks his originality stems from desire for attention. His interest in Lungfish. Anecdote about psychiatrist & his interest in Kafka. Taught for 31 years & never wants to see a child again. Enjoyed working at Summerhill.
Recorded 11th May 1986 first broadcast 21st May 1986.
Recorded 9th June
1987 first broadcast 15th June 1987.
Excellent session all stories taken from the book Fremsley.
Recorded 21st May 1987 first broadcast 4th June 1987.
Recorded 26th May 1988 first broadcast 23rd June 1988.
Recorded 27th July 1989 first broadcast 5th November 1989
Recorded 17th June 1991 first broadcast 6th July 1991.
Recorded 31st October 1991 first broadcast 15th December 1991.
Produced by Dale
Griffin
Engineers: Ted de Bono, Ro Khan
First broadcast 8th January 1993 repeated 30th April 1993.
First broadcast 8th January 1984 as a joint Peel / Kershaw session second half was broadcast later on the same day on the Peel show
First broadcast
8th January 1994 repeated 8th April 1994.
This was Ivor's 20th session for John Peel. It was also repeated later as an
Andy Kershaw session.
First broadcast 17th July 1995.
First broadcast 29th April 1995.
A recording from BBC Radio Scotland's show "Sweet Inspiration" in
which Ivor talks about his musical influences, life, etc.
Andy Kershaw session First broadcast on 19th May 1996.
Ivor reads and sings live also he talks about the forthcoming Radio 3 series Jelly Mountain, his new book and CD both called 'A Wet Handle' and about his style of poetry. -
note: Wheely Down was broadcast on the same show but it was not recorded as part of the Kershaw session but taken from the Richard Thompson Tribute album - The World is a Wonderful Place
Broadcast daily 2nd to 6th June 1997.
A five-part selection of songs, stories and poems from Ivor Cutler, with Craig Murray-Orr, Dylan Edwards, Alison O'Kill and Beverley Crew.
Part 2
Part 5
First Broadcast 29th July 1999
Broadcast on the Andy Kershaw show BBC Radio 3 - 2nd November 2001
Broadcast on the Andy Kershaw show BBC Radio 3 - 22nd March 2002
Originally recorded live at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith London 10th March 2002
Broadcast on the Andy Kershaw show BBC Radio 3 - 6th December 2002
Further live material recorded at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith London on the 10th March 2002
Broadcast Saturday 13th April 2002 -BBC Radio Scotland - Presenter: Janice
Forsyth
This is the story of one of the entertainment
world's most eccentric characters. Ivor Cutler started out life in Ibrox in
Glasgow, working at Rolls Royce as an apprentice before moving into the teaching
profession. By the late 1950's his bizarre take on life and its absurdities was
translated into poems and songs.
On this programme we'll hear Ivor introducing (and ending)
the 1966 television broadcast Late Night Line-Up, as BBC 2 took to the air in
Scotland. 36 years later the Cutler style is unchanged but still provokes the
same range of reactions from genius to total incomprehension.
Janice tells Ivor's story with a revealing interview with him
and tries to discover why he successfully continues to attract new generations
of fans through his books of poetry and stories and recordings, illustrated with
some Classic Cutler
A 30 minutes show on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 4th February. Arnold Brown presented a celebration of the work of writer and humorist Ivor Cutler on his 80th birthday. Contributors included Stewart Lee, John Hegley, John Peel and Harry Hill.
See also, of course, the main Ivor Cutler e-group site at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ivor-list/