The All Out Staff Blog

A blissful sojourn at the Late Junction - 10th May 2010

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a Late Junction junkie and would like nothing more than Verity Sharpe’s job now she’s gone travelling. And so it was with great pleasure that I spent the day shadowing a Radio 3 producer recording live for the programme.

I arrive at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios studio 3 at 10 am for a special live recording. The programme’s producer is Peter Meanwell, who works across Late Junction, World Roots, Hear and Now and In Tune. He assures me that not every day is like this one but I like to think Peter’s job is an oasis of calm where people just drop in for a cup of tea and a jam and out of that comes a 3 hour radio programme.

Around 10.30 the musicians arrive. A drummer from jazz collaboration Polar Bear, a Nmbia player from Zimbabwe and a guy called Leo who plays guitar, but not as I’ve ever heard it before.

The musicians exchange formalities and then begin to play, with no idea what they are going to play they simply let the mood take them. This is jazz, baby. Some cool sounding drums, soft but distinctive, some spooky guitar fx emanating from a plethora of pedals and fed through a mac book pro, and the traditional tribal sound of a thumb piano. This shouldn’t work, but it does.

And then Chartwell, the Nmbia player, opens his mouth and sings and I am transported to another land. In his rich evocative tones I can hear the history of the world. Ahhh, the Late Junction magic.

Just as things start getting a little beard-stroking even for me an 18 year old rapper from Edmonton turns up and diffuses the jazz-laden mood making everyone laugh with his infectious rhymes. And this, I realize is why I love Late Junction, this exploratory and elemental mix of music spanning countries, genres and generations. Where else can you find such a musical melting pot but the Late Junction?

I was reluctant to leave but I had to get back to reality and back to the Late Junction I hear through the wireless at the witching hour, the soundtrack to my sleep.

In Search of the Real Didier Drogba - 7th December 2009

Didier Drogba has been called many things by the British press – many of them not very nice, so I wasn’t really sure what to make of my assignment for Five Live – to  find out who the Real Didier Drogba is…
 
His voice is low and gentle and he’s a true gentleman when I meet him for the first time next to the fifth floor lift of the Ivory Coast national football team hotel, empathising with me for being awake for nearly 24 hours. I think this is an odd place to meet, but then his agent tells us that we can’t meet anywhere else, especially not the lobby or any of the bars in this hotel – we’d be surrounded in seconds.

Suddenly the crowds of people outside, queuing, makes sense. Apparently the security guards are charging a few francs to come up to the windows just to get a glance at Drogba, such is his stature here. It seemed a bit surreal and I didn’t really believe it until a couple of days later when we are stood on a patch of waste ground in an incredibly poor area just a few miles from the centre of Abidjan – the city where Didier grew up, and this is the area where Drogba grew up. 

Here children are washing their clothes in the lagoon, many are running around without clothes, and across the road hundreds of kids are playing football, given the poverty here it’s surprising to see many with Chelsea shirts on – apart from the national team, Chelsea is the team the city stops to support here.

As we get out of the car his agent says we need to keep this brief. Didier surveys the land before he says, “We first tried to find land in the suburb I grew up, so I chose here because it’s near the centre and where I grew up, and it’s really poor, and you can see all around this hardship. Site is a good one because they can come to the hospital and get treatment.

”Didier has just set up his own foundation and he’s trying to raise £2.5 million to build a new hospital on this wasteground. Within minutes we are surrounded by hundreds of kids many of them have quit their football game and sprinted over here, word spreads fast, Didier Drogba, their hero is here. Then the chanting starts, Drogba, Drogba…because we are recording this for Radio Five Live he puts his finger to his lips a sign to the crowd to keep quiet. Suddenly hundreds of excited kids are silent. In Cote d”ivoire Drogba is a god, he is the man who help bring peace to their country after years of unrest – he’s much more than just a footballer.

And I start to see a side of the Chelsea player that it’s impossible to see on the pitch, a humanitarian who is on a mission to give something back to the country which worships him.

'In Search Of The Real Didier Drogba'  goes out on BBC Radio 5live on Christmas Dayat 5pm and again on New Years Day at 1pm

http://www.thedidierdrogbafoundation.com/

Meeting Pete Seeger - 13th November 2009

You can hear all the opinions in the world that other people have about a man, it's only when you get to meet him in person you can really form your own, so it was armed with some of these thoughts that I put my foot down, using all of the 4 wheels of the 4 wheel drive finally parking outside Pete Seegers house, half way up a mountain in upstate New York.

I say house, I actually parked outside his old house, the cabin he built himself 60 years ago, after he cleared the forest of trees. His daughter now lives in that house, he lives a few yards further up the Beacon Mountain in a bigger place with huge windows that give perfect views over the broad majestic Hudson which has been the focus of the environmental work he did, decades before going 'green' was a vote winner.

Despite his 90 years, Seeger is lively and after warning me that his memory was bad reels off names, dates and events with alarming accuracy.

Three hours later we had the interview done, subjects were veered from, answers given to questions I didn't ask, but I had been luckily enough to spend time with one of the most influential and brave men in twentieth century American history

How influential? Well earlier this year Seeger was invited to sing at the inauguration of President Obama as he waited in line, the President shook his hand and said “Mr Seeger my mother played your record to me when I was 4 years old”

That's how.

'He Shall Overcome - Pete Seeger at 90' is broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on the 9th of December

Gemma spends time Chez Webb - 25th June 2009

I liked Washington a lot. It was interesting, leafy, completely lacking in the archetypal American shopping malls and full of old colonial style buildings.
 
In short it felt European but cleaner and safe.
 
Unlike any BBC building in the UK, which I feel certain would introduce Bourne style biometric testing and sniffer dogs if it could get away with it, the BBC’s bureau on M Street was charmingly lacking in security measures. Waltz in waltz out, no pass necessary. It was a similar situation at Justin Webb’s family home. I was astonished that, when he dropped me home, he left the front door unlocked so his wife could get in. I’m not old enough to remember such easy times in the UK- my memories are of krypton factor style alarm codes and multiple locks.
 
But it was all a little too sanitised for my liking, a little lacking in edge. I knew that D.C had no-go neighbourhoods and I’d heard stories of people getting held up at gunpoint. But you don’t see any of that in downtown DC because Washington is ghettoised and a visceral line separates the sanitised, leafy Washington I saw, from the Washington that features near the top in crime and poverty statistics.
 
Georgetown, which is where Josh, Toby and the rest of West Wingers schmooze with D.C.’s high flyers, is a long uniform street bathed in soft lighting with neat little boutiques and restaurants. Everything is painted white and has the feel of a stage set from the OC or, well… the West Wing. There is just one bus that brings people into Georgetown, which is clearly a place that likes to keep the riff raff out. No, I not sure either how I ended up there.
 
I can see why, if you live on the right side of D.C, it’s a great city to live in, it’s easy to get around, not over populated or polluted. But it felt like living in a very lovely bubble for the week.

I wonder if President Obama ever feels the same?

Keep off the Grass - 1st May 2009

What THE Jesse Jackson ??! - 11th February 2009

Jo Meek was sat in a studio waiting for Jesse Jackson to take his seat at the other end of the line

The Reverend Jesse Jackson has crammed a lot into his life so far. He's well known for being a Baptist Minister, Marcher, Civil Rights Activist, twice candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, Shadow Senator and founder of the Rainbow Coalition, this is the shorthand for a very long list of hard work and activism. But perhaps he is much less well known for his connection to music, and to one particular record label. STAX records was based in Memphis, Tennessee, a city which has delivered more than its fair share of music greats.  But unlike other labels Stax wasn't just about the music.

In its earliest days was at the heart of the local community, a unique hub that pulled together young people from the neighbourhood and regardless of colour and creed gave them a place to interact and communicate through music. 

It took it's social responsibilities as seriously as it's music and it gave some incredible talent a chance. Over 15 years, Stax Records launched the careers of some of the greatest soul music stars of all time: Rufus and Carla Thomas, Booker T and the MGs, Isaac Hayes, and Otis Redding.  And the label branched into the spoken word and signed and recorded the likes of Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby and Moms Mabley...and Jesse Jackson.

In 1972 he hosted what was dubbed the Afro-American Woodstock, held at the Los Angeles Colosium. Wattstax brought together over 100,000 people who rejoiced in music, soul and the black experience. At the heart of this event was STAX records.

And so I found myself in a studio producing the Reverend who had agreed to tell the story of Stax as part of our series, on the legendary record labels, for GMG radio. As I waited for him to arrive at the studio I was unusually plagued with nerves, this was a man who has held captive audiences of thousands with his rousing speeches, had marched alongside Dr Martin Luther King, negotiated with Fidel Castro, and had recently moved me to tears when I watched his tears roll freely as Barack Obama gave his presidential victory speech in Chicago in November last year. 

How do you produce someone who has lived a legendary life and is such an important voice for generations? Well you really just listen, and so for 2 hours I heard his stories, his memories of the label, of losing Otis Redding and the Bar Kays in a plane crash in 1967 and how his death signalled the end of an era of music. It was also the first in a series of tragic events that would have a great impact on Jackson's life, on Stax and indeed on the whole country.

I sat open jawed as the Reverend described how he was stood in the parking lot of the Lorraine Motel talking to Dr King when shots rang out. His assassination was devastating for the nation, but that it happened in Stax records hometown had a profound impact on the label, a company that had despised segregation and had been an example of how people, musicians could come together regardless of race.

 To hear more of The Stax Story listen to Rev Jesse Jackson on Sunday 1st March on Smooth Radio / Real Radio at 1pm

Soldiers Story - 18th December 2008

Producer Geoff Bird came on board to produce Soldiers Story for BBC Radio 5live, here are his thoughts.

The day I started work on 'Soldiers' Story' I bumped into an old mate who's been making radio programmes for thirty odd years. I told her I was going to be spending the next three weeks interviewing soldiers fresh back from Iraq and Afghanistan, some of whom had suffered terrible injuries, and also the parents of a couple of soldiers who'd been killed. She recognised straight away that I was feeling pretty anxious about it.“You know,” she said, “talking to people like that and letting them tell their stories is a real privilege.”

Preoccupied as I was I gave it little thought and went on my way.Over the following days and weeks I met a series of ordinary people who'd experienced extra-ordinary things: the mechanic who had to push up his palate with his thumb to allow him to breathe when his face was shot to pieces by a sniper – he's now training to be a teacher; the father of a lad who died because the bullet-proof vest he was wearing forced the bullet that killed him to ricochet  round his insides; the man who has smashed his own teeth out through panic attacks caused by post-traumatic stress disorder.

 All these people spoke at length and with incredible candour about what they'd been through. There were also the soldiers who have lost friends but are themselves physically unharmed, who talked eloquently of the quality of the men who are putting their lives in danger day after day in a bid to improve the places they fight. Every one of the soldiers I spoke with made it clear that to wear a uniform and go into battle is an immense source of personal pride,  and in spite of the intense danger, genuine excitement.  

I turned up at Christine Bonner's Norfolk home feeling pretty shattered after twenty four hours on the road. Christine's son Darren died when his truck hit a land-mine, yet in spite of that she has an incredibly positive outlook on life, making great efforts to keep her and her family buoyant. She showed me photos of Darren, spoke fondly and with great humour about her son as a child. She  related the circumstances of his death in a clear eyed, matter of fact way. Only when she described hearing of his death did she briefly break down. Anyone who hears the programme will know, it is a deeply moving moment.

I left Christine and set off into the Norfolk night to drive back home, and have often thought of her since. This week I sent her a Christmas card to say thanks again for allowing me to come along and listen to her story. After all, making this programme has proved much more than just another job. My old friend was right - it's been a privilege.

Soldiers Story BBC Radio 5 Live 23rd December 2008 9pm and repeated at 4am on Christmas Day

A Real Soldiers Story - 18th December 2008

Mark (not his real name) is serving soldier preparing for another stint in Iraq. He wrote this blog exclusively for All Out

From the day you start to the proud day you pass off the square in best Number 2 dress with families watching. You are being broken, changed and rebuilt into a more confident team worker able to work and survive in a team or independent from everybody else. You are taught comradeship Integrity honesty and DISCIPLINE lots of discipline.

Training made me a lot more confident with everything when it came to people or running at a simulated enemy. Not to mention my fitness level was awesome.

The bad points at the time were everything. You hate everything, you are made to feel at an all time low, confined to camp the only contact you had with civilians were the letters you sent home or phone calls. The people you spoke to were the other recruits feeling home sick, and wondering why in the hell were they there exactly as you are feeling yourself.

Trying to avoid the temptation to sack it even though you see people leave every day whether it be through injury or not up to scratch. 

Looking back i really enjoyed basic training because it made me a man, I grew up very quick because of it and passing off knowing you survived it turns a switch, you wanna see what else you challenge yourself with. First time in the regiment is all about first impressions and no matter how hard you try everybody gets knocked out in the squadron bar the first time and its all about not holding a grudge, as the guy that just put you down is now buying you crates of beer. Its tests if you can be trusted to stand and hold your ground when things get tricky. 

I love it at my regiment.Its the best friends you'll ever meet knowing they trust you to have their backs and you need to trust them - any problems get sorted out in the squadron bar with a few slaps.  

Being deployed, you mold a lot with your team mates in such a hostile place doing a dangerous job, helping the locals knowing half of them don't even want you there.  To make it even worse for your morale and the team spirit of your lads is knowing back home civilians are not happy with what you are doing, thinking your country would rather slag you off and fight you on a night out for doing a job you have no choice about doing anyway.

Being blown up or getting in your first fire fight with enemy is the most surreal feeling, being shot at your adrenaline runs, your training takes over and its only after 2 hours of having rounds flying over your head and your back at camp do you sit down and think f**k me that was close.   

The nights are not for sleeping, every night without fail rockets and mortars bombard your camp with little more than a brick wall and a tent over your head for protection, trying to sleep in the 40 degrees tent in your body armour and helmet.  Being blown up is the worst feeling in the world, driving down the road in a lightly armoured land drover when out of nowhere a road side bomb takes you clean off the road, narrowly missing your wagon, your team mates face is in shock and you having to slap his face to get him back in the game... you are alright, but are called to another incident to find the other guys are not so lucky - looking in the back of their wagon and seeing bits of the same uniform you wear all over the inside is a very hard sight to take in.

Its a very stressful place to be, there are no days off, we work constantly on patrols or being called out to attacks, the only break you get is when you are not called out. The upside is true leaders are singled out and selected for promotion as leaders of men in true intense circumstances. After getting back to the regiment we were given the opportunity to go either 3 weeks sailing round the Caribbean, Skiing in Canada, Scuba Diving in Thailand or Sky diving in California and it was the best time I had ever had in the army  Jumping Monday to Friday and weekends off we went to Vegas Hollywood and San Diego all round LA. We still had to pay but managed to get funding so worked out cheaper. After arriving back found out i was selected for promotion from the tour and was put on a 5 week test cadre for leaders and it was one of the hardest things I've done since joining the army  No Sleep for 4 of the 5 weeks constantly being attacked and having to evacuate, testing the ability to lead when physically and mentally drained.  Never the less i was promoted thank god. 

For many the Army is marmite you either hate it or love it, for me the good points way out weigh the bad. It is a huge strain on family life, having a new baby seeing it born and then due to operational commitments the next time you see it will be when it is 4 months old the next time nearly 10 months old.   The wife has to be strong willed and able to stand by me faithfully which is very hard for her and many wife's of soldiers don't last by either cheating or not liking the husband never being there, so leaves all together. 

Everytime you leave for months on end you have to try reintegrate back in to the family after they have adapted to you not being there. Army does however give some of the best education for school kids and always active the health care is top notch for the whole family and is a much better life all round if you get over the separation part of it. 

The worst thing about army life isn't the army or the deployments to far away life ending places, but to return to your home country and be treated like the scum of the earth thinking to yourself if only you knew what trauma I've just been through.

The main ocassion i can say is coming back after tour and going for a drink with the brother and his workmates and one of them say. " I think you are disgusting, Disgusting going out there are attacking all those people invading there country"   If only he knew 2 weeks before I was blown up narrowly surviving a head on blast trying to help the locals in a village over thrown with terry Taliban.  

The army is the best because it is made up of the people will to put up with this and still go and do what they swore an oath to the Queen to do, and still manage to laugh it off.     

Please take only the good points by no means is this the view of everybody in the army and is only my personal view and experiences some have experienced much worst and some have had it so easy they think they're in the RAF.

However biased you maybe towards the Army this is intended to show the good points and what makes the life in the military Tough but great and highly unappreciated.