Desert island discs
I've recently picked up listening to BBC's Desert Island Discs episodes on Podcast. The premise of the show is having the guests pick out 8 discs they'd like to take with them onto a desert island. The chosen music is interspersed throughout the interview between the host and the guest.
I regret that I didn't start it earlier, years earlier.
Every time I put on my earphone and listen to an episode, I'm immersed with a profound feeling of wellbeing and enrichment. And just hearing its "wavy" theme music gives me a sense of deep contentment. These podcasts offer glimpses into many extraordinary lives, with their stories curated by much wonderful music.
I'm still just starting picking my way through BBC's vast archive. Although a pattern is already emerging. There are roughly 3 kinds of the episodes/interviews so far:
- interesting and engaging interview between the host and the guest. But the guest's music choices are appalling. Not so much as in bad taste, but really in lacking of knowing music at all. A prime example is the dear old oh-so-charming Hugh Grant. He's hilarious as ever but I don't think he likes music much
- Good music choices but the guest is just dull dull dull. Take Maria Von Trapp - yes the one whose family's story inspired The Sound of Music. One of the rare times I stopped the episode midway
- Best of both worlds. These I'm thrilled to say it's actually majority of the episodes though Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor Who) so far is the one that left quite an impression on me
Life's little gems - treasure!
