Episode 37: Dexys Midnight Runners ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’ 40th anniversary special

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop!

In this special episode, we are joined by some previous riders on the carousel to take a trip down rock’s lost highway and discuss Dexys Midnight Runners’ misunderstood classic album, Don’t Stand Me Down, on its 40th anniversary.

We speak to former Smash Hits staffer and Dexys fan Chris Heath, who originally reviewed the album for Ver Hits in September 1985.

Dexys super fan, music critic and member of the legendary Chart Music podcast, Simon Price, to get the fans perspective on the album and also how its reputation has grown in the years since its release.

And we’re also honoured to welcome two members of Dexys Midnight Runners – Helen O’Hara and Kevin Adams (aka Billy) – to talk to us about their memories of making the album and what happened after its release.

Listen here.

LINKS AHOY!

YouTube playlist ⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfs58mqeRNuFV3ek4HY1Z6_BhBbl8CWZI&si=DaSoW5bLfPb7vRpy⁠

Pete Paphides’ Follow-Up Albums documentary: ⁠https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01hl29f⁠

Tim’s Twitter Listening Party replay: ⁠https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_303.html⁠

Support the Carousel by buying us a coffee! ⁠https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod⁠

Episode 10: Smash Hits – 17-30 July 1985 – Live Aid special

Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride!

To mark the 35th anniversary of Live Aid, we go back to the Smash Hits of 17-30 July 1985 with the help of Tim Robinson from DJ/production duo Nightdubbing. We look at Ver Hits coverage of the historic concerts in London and Philadelphia and hear from people who were there or watched from home. We also speak to three former Smash Hits editors – David Hepworth, Mark Ellen and Barry McIlheney – about their memories of the day along with BBC TV director David G Croft. Marco Pirroni also shares his memories of the day and Adam Ant’s much-discussed performance.

You can read the issue for yourself thanks to Like Punk Never Happened and Smash Hits Remembered and also check out the music from its pages on our Spotify and YouTube playlists. It’s the next best thing to taping it off the radio!

Click the player to listen or this link to the app of your choice.

Or, if you listen to podcasts on an Amazon Alexa or Echo, just ask it to play ‘The Giddy Carousel of Pop podcast’, and it will! You can also find us on the podcast section of smart/internet radios.

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Episode 9: Smash Hits – 9-22 October 1985 with Julie Hamill

Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride!

In this episode we go back to the Smash Hits of 9-22 October 1985 with broadcaster, writer and pop geek Julie Hamill. Pete Burns and Morrissey grace the cover and other artists discussed include Simon Le Bon, The Cure, Five Star, Lloyd Cole, Depeche Mode, Billy Idol and many more.

Listen here.

You can read the issue for yourself here and check out the music from its pages on our Spotify and YouTube playlists. It’s the next best thing to taping it off the radio!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Episode 1: Smash Hits 6-19 November 1985 with Tim Robinson

Simon and Gavin welcome you aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop!

In this first edition of the Smash Hits appreciation podcast, we have a good look at Ver Hits from 6-19 November 1985, with our good buddy Tim Robinson (of Manchester-based production/DJ outfit Nightdubbing) lending a helping hand in this rummage through the back issues of pop.

Among the regular fortnightly columns (Bitz, Get Smart, Singles & Albums Reviews, RSVP, Letters), artists discussed include: Simple Minds, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Kate Bush, Howard Jones, Grace Jones, Midge Ure, Marc Almond, Echo & The Bunnymen, Madness, UB40, Captain Sensible, Wham!, Pet Shop Boys, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Spandau Ballet, Paul Hardcastle, The Waterboys and loads more.

Listen to the podcast using one of the links below or click the player above.

Or, if you listen to podcasts on an Amazon Alexa or Echo, just ask it to play ‘The Giddy Carousel of Pop podcast’, and it will! If you can’t find us, let us know and we’ll get it sorted.

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