Two releases occur today that will appeal to music lovers and radio historians alike. Nottingham's Mr Radio himself, Steve Oliver, has secured permission to release two separate compilations of live session tracks recorded on his much missed radio shows.
The Sherwood Sessions
Who can forget Steve Oliver's avant garde two hour shows on Ollerton based community station Sherwood Radio? For just 39 shows, Steve got away with producing a true underground classic. Thanks to the show not being approved by lazy management, this pre-recorded show slipped under their noses and into the ears of a bewildered audience of thousands. The archive of shows is available online, and they show Steve's development as a broadcaster (this was his first radio work, and it shows) and his dedication to pushing the boundaries. Combining unsigned bands, alternative classics, TV themes, children's storybooks, comedy sketches, music hall, (a theme famously carried on during The Sunday Alternative), and all manner of nonsense, it wasn't long before the show achieved cult status.
Aside from all that, the show hosted several live sessions from Nottingham artists and singers from further afield. The first compilation features tracks from that all too brief period between 2010 and 2011.
- Captain Dangerous 'I Am The Wind'
- Dan Korn 'Lost Love Shanty'
- Redtrack 'The Liar'
- Jo Hamilton 'Think Of Me'
- Groucott and Hayes 'You Come Alive'
The Sunday Alternative Volume 1
With the closure of Sherwood Radio in spring 2011, the relief was felt around the world when Steve Oliver returned to radio on September 11th 2011 to present The Sunday Alternative on Trent Sound. This new show not only heralded Steve's return to radio, but allowed him to build on his experience and produce some of the best radio shows ever heard.
"this show is the reason computers have speakers"
"the best BBC 6Music show that isn't on BBC 6Music, yet"
The eclectic mix of music was still there, as were the unsigned artists, many getting their first radio play (to an international audience) on The Sunday Alternative. As essential a part of Sunday as the roast dinner, the day of rest hasn't been the same since.
This compilation features live session tracks from a legendary show.
- Adam Clarkson and Rob Rosa (Captain Dangerous) 'Executing Elliott'
- The Golden Troubadours 'You Made It So'
- Patrick Plunkett 'Hooked On Desire'
- Marc Reeves 'Easy Way Out'
- Will Jeffery 'Dorothy Jean'
- Jake Morley 'Sideline'
- William Tennant 'I'll Never Be Doctor Who Now'
Steve is available for publicity interviews regarding these new album releases, and can be contacted directly steveEoliver@gmail.com
Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveOliver76