Islington Way, Salford 6.44am The birds seemed louder on this morning, than they had been for any of the previous week. As I stepped out of Islington Mill, a robin bounced near my feet, as if leading me like a pied piper. It moved without fear, clearly used to people passing nearby. The only time it stopped was to listen to the melody messages flying through the air, an air which also carried a scent of change that raked my […]
DUCIE STREET, MANCHESTER 6.49am The Piccadilly Eastern sky was covered in cloud, so that no stars were visible. Blackbirds sang urgently, as if hurrying me up, worried that I’d not be ready for first light as I meandered around Ducie Street. The area was far from peaceful and quiet, even at this early hour. It felt as if nothing would remain the same for long here. A concrete mixer crept slowly by, looking for a place to settle. I silently […]
HULME PARK 6.34AM Hulme Park exists adjacent to the Mancunian Way, its grass and trees entirely overlooked by the phalanx of huge glass towers that have now formed up on the opposite side of the inner ring road, one of the many tarmac moats that encircle the city centre. Ahead of the following morning, I was out in the late evening scouting the landscape. In this semi-darkness, the sharp sheen of the block’s regimented elevation panels were criss-crossed with bands […]
FIRST LIGHT: 06.06 SUNRISE: 07.22 It was an odd morning, where I felt out of place, harassed by circumstance. It rained, quieting the birdsong. The man operating the car park was suspicious of my presence, and set me a deadline to leave. “Next time ask the boss for permission first” he said. There was no contact number on the signs, just warnings as to the cost of parking there without consent. Cars filled with construction men began to arrive, invading […]
This month it’s my 50th Not Quite Light show on reform radio. Hurrah! To celebrate I take a wander down memory lane, lisytening again to the sounds, voices and music from the past 6 years… Featured are snippets from artists Jane Samuels and Lucy May Schofield, poet Dom Conlon, the incredible 100 year old activist Joan Hibberd, and Bella, aged 5. Sound recordings are gathered fom Manchester, Salford, Cape Ann, Antwerp, Poland, Paris, Portugal and Hull… Music features tracks by […]
A Slow Moment film from Little Lever Street, Manchester, at dawn..It’s slightly dream like… iPhone
I sometimes feel compelled to take certain paths, aware I’m being pushed by energies beyond my understanding. This year I knew I was going to spend the night of the summer solstice out in The Meadows, just off the Crescent in Salford. This land is perhaps where the first settlers came to rest, at the curve of the River Irwell, where it doubles back on itself. It has remained a slightly wild place, now left to grow so that if […]
Join Not Quite Light for an eclectic mix of delicious music and field recordings…… This month I travel between winter and summer, as I leave the streets of Manchester and Salford for Egypt. Music features tracks by Susumu Yokota, Fairuz and Neil Diamond. LISTEN HERE PLAYLIST
Come and join me, be still, and simply listen to some delicious music and the sounds I’ve found… This month on Not Quite Light I record sounds in Olot ( Catalonia ), Paris and Manchester. The music, eclectic as ever, features tracks by Madeleine Peyroux, Serge Gainsbourg, Elaine Howly and Michel Camilo… LISTEN HERE PLAYLIST
Come and join me, be still, and simply listen to some delicious music and the sounds I’ve found… This month on Not Quite Light I spend an evening in Angel Meadow, just off the city centre in Manchester. Music includes tracks by Liz Hanks, Philip Glass, Ainoo Peltomaa and Charlie Musselwhite. Field recordings by myself, Simon Buckley, and include sounds such as an early evening cricket match, passing trams, a substation and birdsong… LISTEN HERE PLAYLIST