SUNDAY October 24
Composer of the Week: John Coltrane (Concert FM, 9.00am). The tentacles of Coltrane’s influence are still spreading today, particularly as a founder of a world music consciousness: he was inspired by the music of Africa, India and the Far East, but may be best known for the revolutionary free jazz style. Nigel Horrocks explores the life and work of the sax player and composer who played with Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk, but died at 40.
Roar! (National Radio, 2.00pm). Or, behind the scenes of a wildlife documentary, where more than half the sounds are artificially created. Simon Fanshawe reveals why a pillowcase full of cornflour and a pair of rubber gloves are so important to the BBC’s Natural History Unit.
Hollywood Players (National Radio, 3.00pm). Barry Norman is still considered Britain’s leading film critic, after more than 30 years’ interviewing and reviewing. He has had them all in his studio, from nearly coming to blows with John Wayne to fawning over Michelle Pfeiffer. In this four-part series, he delves into Holly-wood in his inimitable wry and rude style, in the first episode looking at a star system that sees leading actors being paid more than $US20 million per film. This leads to economies elsewhere, reveals Norman, such as during the filming of Titanic, the Mexican cleaning ladies’ doughnut ration was halved because the stars were receiving such huge fees.
MONDAY October 25
Southall and Blair Peach (National Radio, 11.00am and 4.00pm). The name Blair Peach may not be so well known now, but more than 20 years ago his death during a protest march in London symbolised a brutal British police system that its government was unwilling to rein in. New Zealander Peach died at the hands of the Special Patrol Group in 1979 during an anti-fascist rally; his death was ruled misadventure at an inquest in 1980 and no officer was charged. Twenty years later, an inquiry was ruled out by Home Office Minister Paul Boateng. Martin Williams’s documentary tells the story of Peach, who taught at a special school in East London for 10 years. These days, he is remembered by a primary school that bears his name, and reggae fans may also know “Regga Fi Peach”, by Lynton Kwesi Johnson.
Labour Day Special: Bow Down Shadrach (National Radio, 2.00pm). Something for the kids on Labour Day: Joy Cowley’s story featuring Nathaniel Lees and Grant Tilly. In the story, three siblings, Hannah, Mikey and Sky, mount a daring rescue of their Clydesdale horse Shadrach, when he is sold for pet food.
TUESDAY October 26
Sound Lounge: Frank Zappa, The Radio Is Broken (Concert FM, 10.00pm). John Coltrane is in good company this week on Concert FM; his fellow musical innovator Frank Zappa is the focus of this five-part series presented by Jim Gardner.