Best Becky Walsh Podcasts (2024)

1
70@70 part three: Allison Rapp 1:10:26

2h ago1:10:26

1:10:26

Music writer Allison Rapp is my guest for the third instalment of the Elvis Costello 70@70 series. I've put together a list of 70 essential Elvis Costello songs to celebrate his 70th birthday in August 2024. In this episode, Allison and I chat about tracks 50-41 in the countdown. Make sure you check out Allison's terrific show The Big Yellow Podcas…

1
70@70 part two: Connor Ratliff 1:31:43

7d ago1:31:43

1:31:43

Comedian, actor and writer Connor Ratliff joins me for the second episode in the Elvis Costello 70@70 countdown. To mark Costello's 70th birthday in August 2024, I've picked out 70 of his most essential songs. Connor and I discuss numbers 60-51 in the countdown.

1
70@70 part one: Tom Doyle 1:26:08

5d ago1:26:08

1:26:08

This is the first of seven episodes counting down the Elvis Costello 70@70. To mark Costello's 70th birthday in August 2024, I've picked out 70 of his most essential songs. Joining me to discuss the first 10 songs in the countdown is music writer, author and musician Tom Doyle.

1
Introducing the Elvis Costello 70@70 1:27

18d ago1:27

1:27

A new series coming your way for summer 2024.

1
Simon Garfield 1:15:07

20d ago1:15:07

1:15:07

Acclaimed author and journalist Simon Garfield says of his love of Elvis Costello’s music, “no other artist has had such a deep or sustained impact on me or introduced me to such a wide range of music”. He has been a fan of Costello since hearing the Honky Tonk demos and attending early gigs at the Dominion as a teenager. Simon has gone on to inter…

1
Tony Sacchetti 53:52

2M ago53:52

53:52

Photographer Tony Sacchetti has been taking pictures ofElvis Costello onstage and off it for more than 40 years. His shots have appeared everywhere from Costello fanzines and his fantastic Instagram page to official Elvis album booklets. Tony tells me about the art of music photography, covering memorable Costello gigs and his interactions with Elv…

1
Jeremy Dylan 1:19:35

3M ago1:19:35

1:19:35

Jeremy Dylan is a film maker, record producer, artist manager and journalist.He's also a huge fan of Elvis Costello.We chat about Jeremy's love of Elvis's music and his experience of interviewing the man himself for a documentary film.Along the way, Jeremy shares fascinating insights into working with a host of key Costello associates, including Pe…

1
Becky Want 54:42

3M ago54:42

54:42

BBC broadcaster Becky Want has interviewed a host of illustrious names during her career in radio and television, including her hero, Elvis Costello. In this episode, Becky recalls her experiences of interviewing Elvis and having the opportunity to ask him about her favourite album, Painted From Memory. She tells me about some of her favourite Cost…

1
Jeff Slate 1:11:47

5M ago1:11:47

1:11:47

Singer/songwriter and musician Jeff Slate joins me ahead of the release of his new album, The Last Day of Summer. We chat about his love of Elvis Costello's music and its influence on his own songwriting. Jeff recalls the many and varied Costello gigs he's attended over the years and picks out some of his favourite EC songs. Jeff tells me about rec…

1
Courtney E Smith 1:03:05

6M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

My guest is writer, editor and podcaster, Courtney E Smith. The host of Songs My Ex Ruined discusses her love of Elvis Costello’s music and selects some of her favourite EC tracks for the playlist. Courtney recalls meeting Elvis during her time at MTV and sharesher memories of some incredible Costello gigs, including VH1’s Decades Rock Live and his…

1
BONUS - Elvis, Elton and Down River 19:06

7M ago19:06

19:06

Something a bit different to kick off 2024. This is a mini episode reflecting on how a stunning duet by Elvis Costello and Elton John introduced me to the wonderful music of David Ackles. They performed a beautiful version of Ackles' Down River on Spectacle, backed by James Burton, Allen Toussaint, Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher. In this episode, I…

1
Kenton Hall 1:12:26

8M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

Kenton Hall is a man of many talents: songwriter, musician,actor and director. He’s also a huge Elvis Costello fan. In this episode, Kenton tells me how he discovered Costello’s music, what it means to him and how it has influenced his own songwriting. We chat about some of his favourite Elvis records, memorable gigs and how Steve Nieve came to rec…

1
Ep 19 Beyond the boards: the past, present and future of Weston's iconic piers 46:30

8M ago46:30

46:30

2023 has been designated the 'Year of the Pier', and in our final podcast of the season, we are celebrating Weston's piers. Of the 60 piers left in the UK, four can be found on North Somerset's 19-mile coastline, and three of them are in Weston! We chat to pier experts Michelle Michael, one of the owners/directors of The Grand Pier and Revo, and Si…

1
Ep 18: Commercial property & investment opportunities in Weston-super-Mare 50:04

8M ago50:04

50:04

This week, we talk to Simon Price, a partner at Alder King, and Jane Harrison, Head of Economy at North Somerset Council, about the increasing appeal of Weston-super-Mare as a place to locate a business, and for developer investment. During the episode they discuss: Trends for business growth and interest in Weston, including industrial sector grow…

1
Ep 17 Christmas in Weston - what's on and where to shop with Fay Powell and Alan Smith 31:50

9M ago31:50

31:50

This week, host Becky Walsh chats with guests Fay Powell and Alan Smith, to discover what Weston has to offer this Christmas. Alan Smith, Manager of The Sovereign, shares what the shopping centre has been up to over the past year, and their grand festive plans for December, including late night shopping and a Christmas light switch-on (30th Novembe…

1
Tim Riley 56:05

9M ago56:05

56:05

Music writer Tim Riley is the author of acclaimed booksabout the Beatles, John Lennon and Bob Dylan, among others. He’s also closely followed the career of Elvis Costello andtells me about the impact the early Elvis records had on him. We discuss memorable Costello gigs, Elvis’s talent for interpretation, his collaboration with Paul McCartney and t…

1
Ep 16 The Stable: a business and community hub of creativity and inclusivity 37:36

9M ago37:36

37:36

The Stable is a vibrant hub that has woven itself into the fabric of the community in Weston-super-Mare. A multifaceted space, it offers everything from co-working offices, to a board game cafe, hot desks, a pub, pop-up food shop, artisan markets and more. In the latest episode of the We are Super Weston podcast, Councillor Jemma Coles - the drivin…

1
Ep 15 Food WorksSW: Cultivating food and drink innovation in the West Country 32:04

10M ago32:04

32:04

The West Country is fast becoming a hotbed for entrepreneurial food and drink producers thanks to food and drink innovation centre, Food WorksSW, which opened in 2020. If you have an idea for a new food or drink product, or have a small food business you want to scale-up, Food WorksSW can help you innovate and grow. Located just off the A370 into W…

1
Jorge Farah 1:05:40

10M ago1:05:40

1:05:40

Writer and editor Jorge Farah describes Elvis Costello’s music as “the soundtrack to my life”. In this episode, we discuss how he came to be a Costello fan, chat about some of his favourite records and how he came to be one of the author’s of the popular Trunkworthy feature, The Elvis Costello Song of theWeek. In addition, Jorge recommends some of …

1
Ep 14 Thinking of moving? David Plaister talks property in Weston-super-Mare 34:09

10M ago34:09

34:09

With house prices considerably lower in Weston-super-Mare* than the West Country capital, Bristolians are moving to the North Somerset seaside town in their droves. In this week’s podcast, we talk to David Plaister - owner of the family-run Weston Estate Agency that bears his name - about this growing trend, where the best places are to live in Wes…

1
Ep 13 Best Weston-super-Mare walks with local experts Paul Batts and Jane Murch 38:17

10M ago38:17

38:17

Perched on the edge of the Mendip Hills, surrounded by gorgeous Somerset countryside and with miles of flat seafront promenade, Weston-super-Mare is a walker’s paradise. In episode 13 of our We are Super Weston podcast, host Becky Walsh speaks to local experts, Paul Batts - owner of independent shop, Outdoors & Active - and Jane Murch, Visitor and …

1
Ep 12 Wind, water and beach sports with former Combat Paramedic and adventurer Ben Peters 32:24

11M ago32:24

32:24

In today’s episode, we chat with former Combat Paramedic Ben Peters, about some of his many adventures, his work with young people and WhatSUP paddleboarding, and some of the adrenaline sports on offer in Weston. Born and bred in Weston, Ben's extraordinary life has seen him paddleboard down the Amazon River, work as Bear Grylls’ medic and help reb…

1
EP 11 Opening the doors on Weston’s heritage with Cara MacMahon and Jane Hill 31:35

11M ago31:35

31:35

Each September allows us to delve deeper into Weston-super-Mare’s history through the national Heritage Open Days festival. This year, it’s taking place from Friday 8th to Sunday 17th. In today’s episode, we talk to two of our local heritage specialists– Jane Hill, Heritage & Communication Officer at Weston Museum and Cara MacMahon, North Somerset …

1
A L Kennedy 54:38

11M ago54:38

54:38

A L Kennedy is an award-winning author, playwright, comicand performer. Among her acclaimed works is a collection of short stories named after the Elvis Costello song, All The Rage. In this episode, she tells me about her love of Costello’s music and his use of language. We also dig deep into Tramp The Dirt Down with afascinating reflection on Brit…

1
Ep 10 Weston's exciting food scene with business owners Anna Southwell of Loves Cafe and Sprout Cafe and Prayag Rajpura of Cumin Alive and Rebel Dark Arts Kitchen 31:31

12M ago31:31

31:31

If your culinary go-to for food in Weston-super-Mare is a bag of chips on the seafront from the chippy, let us broaden your gastronomic horizons. In this episode, we discuss the surprisingly excellent food on offer in Weston (some of it produced by our two guests, local hospitality owners, Anna Southwell from Loves Cafe and Sprout Cafe, and Prayag …

1
Ep 9 Swimming in Weston with Karen Barry & Claire Trevor-Roper 34:26

12M ago34:26

34:26

In this episode will be 'diving' into the joys of swimming in the sea in Weston with Claire Trevor-Roper, CoDirector of Mudlarks and Karen Barry, one of the founding members of the Wild Swimming group the Supermares! Our guests share their expert knowledge on taking a dip in Weston's waters as well as some valuable advice on swimming safely when it…

1
Ep 8 Lynsey McKinstry talks about family life, Weston College & opportunities for young people in Weston 35:56

1y ago35:56

35:56

Weston-super-Mare is a holiday destination and a great place to bring kids, but what's it like to raise a family here? We talk to Lynsey McKinstry, who grew up in the town and is now bringing up her own children in Weston. Lynsey also tells us about her work with Weston College and how the college provides an award-winning service supporting studen…

1
Ep 7 Alex Hearn talks about placemaking for Super Weston and his work at North Somerset Council 34:48

1y ago34:48

34:48

Land redevelopment, investment in the high street and seafront experiences being brought back to life - these are exciting times for Weston. In this week’s episode we talk to Alex Hearn, experienced Placemaking specialist, and former Assistant Director (Placemaking and Growth) for North Somerset Council. Alex discusses how public and private organi…

1
Jim Windolf 59:06

1y ago59:06

59:06

New York Times features editor Jim Windolf is the man behind the legendary Costello’s 500 feature for Vanity Fair. In the landmark November 2000 essay, Elvis identified 500 albums “essential to a happy life”, from ABBA to Zamballarana. In this episode, Jim recalls his inspiration for the feature and the process of working on it with Costello. He al…

1
Ep 6 Dom Early from eBike UFO talking all things cycling in and around Weston 23:53

1y ago23:53

23:53

Surrounded by beautiful countryside and excellent cycle routes (with more in the pipeline), Weston-super-Mare is a fantastic place for a pedal, whether you're an avid mountain rider or prefer more of a leisurely pace on two wheels, you'll find everything from flat, relaxing rides to coastal paths and stunt jumps in the woods. Dominic Early, owner o…

1
A sound salvation 0:53

1y ago0:53

0:53

This is a quick plug for an appearance I’ve made on another show. It’s an absolute thrill and honour to be a guest on one of my favourite podcasts, Life Goals with Theo Delaney. I chat to Theo about football and music, picking eight goals and songs that mean a lot to me. As you’d expect, Elvis Costello features among my choices… I loved doing this,…

1
Ep 5 John Telling, Director of Towens, talks to us about this super successful waste and recycling business employing 135 staff in the heart of Weston 22:58

1y ago22:58

22:58

Family-owned recycling and waste management business ‘Towens’ employs around 135 people from in and around Weston. If you live in the town, you will be familiar with the lorries and skips taking away Weston’s waste, of which a staggering 94% is recycled. In today’s episode, John Telling, Director of Towens talks to Becky about some of the interesti…

1
Ep. 4 Beautifully Proud, celebrating Pride and support for the LGBTQ+ community in Weston with Matt Hardy 26:52

1y ago26:52

26:52

Rainbow flags, glitter balls and a pier (or three)…no we’re not talking about Brighton, this is Weston-super-Mare, where there’s excitement, support and ambition amongst the LGBTQ+ community this June, as the *Beautifully Proud programme kicks off across several of the town’s venues. Listen to Matt Hardy, Operational Services Manager for Weston Tow…

1
Ep 3 Establishing a successful creative business by the beach, with Clair Haycraft, Haycraft Creative and Angela Hicks, CEO of The Hive. 36:42

1y ago36:42

36:42

In this week’s episode, we meet Angela Hicks, Chief Executive of The Hive, and Clair Haycraft of Haycraft Creative. Clair and her husband Phil set up their creative business in Weston, with the help of Angela and her team. Starting out on your own business path can be daunting, but the businesses of Weston and North Somerset have huge support in th…

1
Ep 2 Life on Weston high street with retailer Sam Walker, Owner of family run department store Walker & Ling 30:09

1y ago30:09

30:09

Walker & Ling is a stalwart of Weston High Street with a fascinating history. Run by the Walker family for 115 years, its rich heritage has seen the department store survive being bombed in WW2, undergo a major facelift as part of Historic England and North Somerset Heritage Action Zone investment and welcome great brands while retaining a sense of…

1
Connor Ratliff 1:42:52

1y ago1:42:52

1:42:52

Connor Ratliff is an actor, comedian and host of the acclaimed Dead Eyes podcast. He is also an Elvis Costello fanatic. In this episode, Connor tells me how he came to Costello's music in the 1990s, his Elvis "parlour games" and we dig into some of his favourite EC songs. We also chat about watching Costello live and what is was like to be on the f…

1
Ep 1 Fiona Matthews and Tom Newman of Culture Weston discuss Weston’s cultural renaissance and the importance of culture to the local communities. 31:20

1y ago31:20

31:20

Welcome to the very first episode of the We are Super Weston podcast. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen today. Giant bats in a climate carnival, massive murals on walls and festivals for the grieving - the impact of Culture Weston on the town can't be understated. In this podcast, we talk to Fiona Matthews, Artistic Director and Tom N…

1
Allison Rapp 54:57

1y ago54:57

54:57

Music journalist Allison Rapp has written extensively about Elvis Costello’s music. She’s reviewed a wide variety of EC gigs, including 2023’s residency at the Gramercy Theatre in New York, and a memorable performance at the opening of the Bob Dylan Center. Allison also revisited My Aim Is True on the 45th anniversary of its release for Ultimate Cl…

1
Podcast Trailer - Welcome to the new Super Weston podcast 0:53

1+ y ago0:53

0:53

Join Becky Walsh, host and resident of Weston-super-Mare, every two weeks as she brings you interviews with the movers and shakers who are rocking Weston right now. From award-winning digital artwork creators or food technology manufacturers, Weston has so much to offer beyond its beautiful sunsets and fabulous beaches. Tune in and listen to storie…

1
Bill Schweigart 57:59

1+ y ago57:59

57:59

Acclaimed author Bill Schweigart takes time out from releasing two books in a month to chat about Elvis Costello’s music. Bill became a Costello fan with the release of Spike and tells me what the music means to him. He also picks six songs for the playlist, including the track he loved and had to give away. We also talk about standout gigs, how El…

1
BONUS - Bacharach and Costello 31:07

1+ y ago31:07

31:07

A tribute to Burt Bacharach following his death a few days ago in February 2023. In this episode, I look back at his collaborations with Elvis Costello and celebrate the music they made together. I also revisit the thoughts of previous guests on the show about what different Bacharach/Costello songs mean to them.…

1
Emma Swift 56:08

1+ y ago56:08

56:08

Singer/songwriter Emma Swift counts Elvis Costello among her musical heroes and describes his songs as “a gateway into another kind of life”. Emma released Blonde on the Tracks, her acclaimed album of interpretations of Bob Dylan songs in 2020. In 2022, Costello picked out one of those recordings for inclusion on his jukebox for the opening of the …

1
Mark Lamarr 1:00:15

1+ y ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Top comedian and broadcaster Mark Lamarr joins me to open the fifth series of the podcast. Mark has starred in some of the defining UK television shows of the last three decades, including The Word, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Shooting Stars. His acclaimed radio shows have showcased the depth of his love of music. Mark picks out some of his favour…

1
Steve Mandel (part two) 57:06

2y ago57:06

57:06

In this second part of my conversation with producer and engineer, Steve Mandel, we chat about Wise Up Ghost, the album he created with Elvis Costello and The Roots. The record was released to critical acclaim in September 2013. It was produced by Costello, Questlove and Mandel, with Steve credited as a songwriter on all but one of the dozen tracks…

1
Steve Mandel (part one) 1:31:42

2y ago1:31:42

1:31:42

Steve Mandel is an audio engineer, producer and songwriter highly regarded for his work with The Roots. He first encountered his hero, Elvis Costello, while working on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, on which The Roots were the house band. Steve suggested they perform an old arrangement of Costello’s High Fidelity and took a stash of albums for…

1
Remedy Robinson 49:42

2y ago49:42

49:42

Author and linguist Remedy Robinson hosts the brilliant Costello-themed podcast, Slow Drag With Remedy. Each episode is an “exploration and appreciation of the genius words, phrases and references found in each song credited solely to Mr Elvis Costello”. We chat about her love of Elvis’s lyrics and how that led to her launching the show. Remedy tel…

1
My Aim Is True with Richard Crouse 1:16:29

2y ago1:16:29

1:16:29

22 July 2022 is the 45th anniversary of Elvis Costello’s acclaimed debut album, My Aim Is True. Married father-of-one, Declan MacManus, was a computer operator from London and a prolific aspiring songwriter. Signed to Stiff Records, MacManus cut his first professional album at Pathway Studios, backed by Clover and produced by Nick Lowe. He never lo…

1
Adam Roberts 53:53

2y ago53:53

53:53

Science fiction author, critic and academic, Professor Adam Roberts, has been an Elvis Costello fan since hearing Blood and Chocolate. Our conversation about his love of Elvis also takes in poetry, the philosophy of Hegel and sex dungeons. Adam has picked out six of his favourite Costello songs for this season’s playlist and you can read his 2022 a…

1
Sebastian Krys (part two) 41:35

2y ago41:35

41:35

In this second part of my conversation with producer Sebastian Krys, we chat about some of his favourite Elvis Costello songs. Sebastian picks out six Costello tracks for my playlist, including the recent song that stopped him dead in his tracks when Elvis sent him the demo. We also discuss some of the great EC gigs he's attended. Follow Dangerous …

1
Sebastian Krys (part one) 1:15:52

2y ago1:15:52

1:15:52

Sebastian Krys is a multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning producer and engineer.He’s worked with an incredible array of great artists, including Gloria Estefan and Shakira, and has co-produced Elvis Costello’s records since 2018’s Look Now.In part one of this two-part conversation, Sebastian tells me about his career in music and his ongoing col…

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