I have a few albums by non-popular artists with the title of “The John Peel Sessions” (my favorite being Boom Bip & Doseone), in which they played live for a host, John Peel.
Boom Bip was also invited back to record a second Peel Session, having been heralded by John Peel as “a modern day Captain Beefheart� when he invited Boom Bip & Doseone in for their first Peel Session in 2001.
I had no idea who the guy was until I looked him up at Wikipedia, and it’s hard to believe he died fairly recently and there was not a peep in the US about him. At least I don’t remember hearing anything about it, but I’d imagine it was overshadowed with election coverage and the like.
His biography is very impressive, and I’d highly recommend learning more about him. It’s really pretty amazing how much he has helped make no-name bands and unpopular generes of music mainstream. It’s now no surprise to me why some of my favorite “underground” artists have John Peel Session albums.
it is really hard for me as a continental european to hear (in this case to read) that john peel might have been unknown to a music lover.
even so when myself has been a regulary listener to his bbc-program and really could not imagine a world without that rusty, smoky but somehow very gentle voice presenting musical obscurities and stars to be born.
anyways: still hurts a little you not being around anymore, john. rip.
and for the not knowing: check out the massive archive at bbc/radio1 and listen to your favourite band as presented by mr. peel. try to catch some of the magic we felt
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/alt/johnpeel/sessions/index.shtml
Yeah, strangely enough I’ve been to the Radio1 site many times since being on the internet and never even noticed him being on there or anything, but I wasn’t looking for it either. Actually, come to think of it, I’m thinking about the Ministry Of Sound site, not Radio1 itself…
The only coverage of John Peel’s passing I heard offline was on NPR. I still boggle at that.
Having lived in the UK and hearing John on the radio three nights a week I was really sad when I heard of his passing.
Each show was filled with such incredible music and he had many many bands in for live sessions. I dont think you can order it via Amazon.com but this album is one of the few compliations he made and is worth every penny.