Radio Richard | Richard Niles Podcast

SYLVESTER RIVERS Interview - The Sultan of Soul still Ghostbusting mega hits

Sylvester Rivers is the living history of popular music from the age of 16 playing his first sessions in Detroit for Motown to the studios of Los Angeles and hundreds of hit records that he has played keyboards on arranged, produced or written for artists like Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Candi Staton, High Inergy.

He talks to fellow arranger/composer Richard Niles about Motown, the Funk Brothers, Holland Dozier Holland, Ray Parker Jr. and tantalizing news about the new GHOSTBUSTERS movie, due this Thanksgiving.

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“Radio Richard Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) sung by Free Play Duo

 

Jeremy Lubbock Interview Part 1: Tribute to master arranger, producer, composer, musician

In 2008 I wrote and hosted a 7-part series for BBC Radio 2, “Richard Niles’ History of Pop Arranging”. This eventually led to my PhD from Brunel University and my book, “The Invisible Artist”. The book, with interviews and 222 musical transcriptions of some of the greatest records in popular music, is available here:

 

 

Anyone who speaks to Jeremy Lubbock becomes aware very quickly that they are in the presence of a man who thinks very deeply—not only about music. His instincts are based on this intense thought process. Lubbock’s writing transcends craft to produce art of the highest order because of his mastery of his own distinctive musical language.

Lubbock, who passed away in January 2021, was an Englishman in both Los Angeles and New York. A highly respected and in-demand arranger since the 1970’s, he was also an acclaimed composer, songwriter and producer. Transcending the arbitrary divisions of this work into decades, his experience makes his comments on the state of the industry today particularly valuable.

His impressive career began with ear-training from his father, a respected classical musician. At the age of sixteen he turned his attention to jazz and pop and was soon working as a pianist and singer in London and Paris while studying architecture. In 1953 he recorded a version of the Perry Como hit Catch a Falling Star produced by George Martin. This led to club dates during the 1960’s.

By the 1970’s his arranging abilities landed him jobs with the BBC and ITV. His ‘big break’ came when composer Don Specht invited him to come to Los Angeles in 1977. He introduced Lubbock to producer Henry Lewey and in 1979 this led to Lubbock arranging Joni Mitchell’s acclaimed album Mingus.

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“Radio Richard Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) sung by Free Play Duo

 

WORKING WITH THE HITMAKERS: “Sowing The Seeds of Love | TEARS FOR FEARS 1987” | Daisy Chute chats with Richard Niles

Congratulations to TFF for making a great new record in 2021. But this exciting hit (#5 UK, #2 USA) was my first meeting with Tears For Fears. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith had already had hits like “Shout” and “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”. But this was something different! Daisy Chute chats with me about how we sowed many seeds of love in the studio and why it’s impossible to park if you have a gig at the London Oriental Mandarin Hotel! Let’s drop some acid and listen to how we made this record with a little help from Guy Barker and Kate St. John. As Curt said, “We wanted to do something more colourful, something that sounded big and warm. You cannot get that from machines. You only get that with real musicians and real players."

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“Radio Richard Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) sung by Free Play Duo

 

ALAN SHACKLOCK, Rock God, talks to Richard Niles – PART 2

Guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer Alan Shacklock had massive hits with his Art/Prog Rock band BABE RUTH in the 1970s, with singer Jennie Haan. He went on to produce Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Meat Loaf, Mike Oldfield, Bonnie Tyler, Jeff Beck and Roger Daltrey. He produced soundtracks for the films Quicksilver, Doc Hollywood, Buddy’s Song and music for the FIFA World Cup. His song “The Mexican” (1972) became a massive hit in the 90s in the B-Boy & hip hop market. He’s a founder of British Record Producer’s Guild and was honored as EMI Songwriter of the Year for his #1 True Believers by Christian artist Phil Keagy.

He is currently Lecturer of Audio Engineering/Production at Nashville’s Belmont University.

In PART 2 of his interview with Richard Niles, Alan talks about how hip hp brought about the rebirth of Babe Ruth, working with Roger Daltry, becoming a respected educator, moving to Nashville, and his new project producing classical cellist CARMINE MIRANDA – with composer Richard Niles.

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“Radio Richard Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) sung by Free Play Duo

“New Jazz Standards Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) performed by Richard Niles and Michael Ruff

ALAN SHACKLOCK, Rock God, talks to Richard Niles – PART 1

Guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer Alan Shacklock had massive hits with his Art/Prog Rock band BABE RUTH in the 1970s, with singer Jennie Haan. He went on to produce Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Meat Loaf, Mike Oldfield, Bonnie Tyler, Jeff Beck and Roger Daltrey. He produced soundtracks for the films Quicksilver, Doc Hollywood, Buddy’s Song and music for the FIFA World Cup. His song “The Mexican” (1972) became a massive hit in the 90s in the B-Boy & hip hop market. He’s a founder of British Record Producer’s Guild and was honored as EMI Songwriter of the Year for his #1 True Believers by Christian artist Phil Keagy.

He is currently Lecturer of Audio Engineering/Production at Nashville’s Belmont University.

In this interview with Richard Niles, Alan tells the first part of his incredible story, growing up in Hatfield, being part of the London music scene of the 1960s, success with BABE RUTH and his move into production.

You may buy my books mentioned by Alan here:

   

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“Radio Richard Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) sung by Free Play Duo

WORKING WITH THE HITMAKERS: “Slave To The Rhythm” | Daisy Chute chats with Richard Niles

Composer/arranger/producer Richard Niles has contributed to over 40 top Ten  records with 20 Gold and 28 Platinum certifications. In this new Radio Richard series, singer/songwriter Daisy Chute (a hitmaker herself with All Angels) interviews Richard about how some of those massive hits were made.

Produced by Trevor Horn & Steve Lipson, “Slave To The Rhythm” (1985) was Grace Jones’ biggest hit, combining advanced digital technology with an 85-piece orchestra, arranged by Richard Niles. Here’s the inside story on a record that is considered one of the greatest record productions of all time.

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“Radio Richard Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) sung by Free Play Duo

“New Jazz Standards Theme” ©2021 Niles Smiles Music (BMI) performed by Richard Niles & Michael Ruff

Richard Niles’ History of Pop Arranging – Part 4

Part 4 of my BBC Radio 2 documentary series “Richard Niles’ HISTORY of POP ARRANGING” takes us to Philadelphia with contributions from TSOP guitarist BOBBY ELI and arranger/producer BOBBY MARTIN examining “the sound of Philadelphia” with Gamble & Huff and Thom Bell (The Delphonics, the Detroit Spinners, the Stylistics). We then descend with our naughty personages to enter the world of MISTER JAMES BROWN and a special interview with his sadly missed musical director, arranger and co-writer of “Cold Sweat” and “Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud”, PEE WEE ELLIS.

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ALL MUSIC LICENCES AND COPYRIGHTS for all music usage CLEARED BY BBC RADIO 2 IN 2003.

“Radio Richard Theme” ©2021Niles Smiles Music (BMI) by Richard Niles

Vocals by Free Play Duo

“New Jazz Standards Theme” © 2021Niles Smiles Music (BMI) by Richard Niles

 

 

MUSIC BIZ SPECIAL with ROWENA MORGAN 1

For her work helping artists and composers at the Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts, Paul McCartney said, “Rowena Morgan is my hero!”

 

The vivacious Welsh dynamo’s incredible career has included work in advertising, technology, sponsorship, radio, journalism, brand ambassador, artist liaison, social media management, event management, songwriting, publishing, music supervision, and business management at the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (now The IVORS).

She has become an icon of the British music industry as “The Musical Geisha” with her Ultimate Music/Media Industry Networking Nights, bringing together new artists, composers, publishers, label executives to exchange ideas, collaborate and create new projects.

Radio Richard is grateful to have Rowena on the show discussing – the current state of the music business, it’s challenges and ways to fix it – how an artist in 2021 can best achieve the career their talent deserves. Her information and sage advice can help YOU. So LISTEN to her fascinating conversation with composer Richard Niles, because, as she says, “It’s like medicine – it won’t do you any good in the bottle!”

And while you’re listening to Rowena, please like, share and SUBSCRIBE so we can keep bringing you this unique content!

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“Radio Richard Theme” by Richard Niles ©2021Niles Smiles Music Sung by Free Play Duo

DAISY CHUTE Interview

PAUL McCARTNEY, RAY DAVIES and BARRY GIBB love her. Why should you love her too? Because she was in the Platinum, Brit Award nominated group ALL ANGELS.

She plays LOTS of instruments and sings better than an angel.

She has worked on soundtracks for film (YESTERDAY Danny Boyle & Richard Curtis ) and TV (David Attenborough's A Perfect Planet) She worked with Radiohead. She has written a new musical “Coven”. Her new EP is “Songs of Solace”. She is Café Nero ARTIST of the MONTH.

She not only talks about all this and more, but she sings 2 of her songs LIVE and you’ll see a clip of her singing “Tip For A Toreador” from Richard Niles’ BANDZILLA album “Bandzilla Rises!!!”

 

“What is Melody”©2008Niles Smiles Music (BMI) by Richard Niles, sung by Daisy Chute.

“Puddletown” and “She” by Daisy Chute.

 

FRANK SINATRA & TOMMY DORSEY

In 2002 I made a series of documentary programs for BBC Radio 2 about the singers who made their names with the big bandleaders. Frank Sinatra got his start with trumpeter Harry James’ band but when he saw the chance to join the much more successful Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, he went after it. In Dorsey he found his biggest musical influence and most powerful foe. This show tells the story of the powerful relationship of these two great artists.

 

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“Upfront” ©2002 Niles Smiles Music - Written and performed by Richard Niles

“New Jazz Standards” ©2021Niles Smiles Music