Frank Gardner

[Crusoe]

I don’t know what others thought about this but I found it very interesting: perhaps the best, so far in this series. Maybe Billy’s right and the production team have been on holiday in Colwyn Bay, with lots of nice walks up the Great/Little Orme.

It was quite heartening to hear how he has overcome his injuries to re-start his career and to hear of the support he had from the rest of his family including both his wife and his parents. This gave a good, human account of what he went through, without being mawkish, harrowing or intrusive.

I also enjoyed the general story of his life, particularly his experience of foreign cultures and his attempts to at least understand, if not embrace, them. And it is heartening to hear of someone allowing their passion for a job outweighing their desire for a comfortable life or assured wealth.

I enjoyed some of his musical choices, too, and particularly liked the fact that they were so catholic. The pieces also seemed to have a real relationship to his life and to be pieces he liked, rather than being chosen for effect.

And Sue Lawley seemed to be on good form: I hardly noticed her, which suggests that she was able to draw interesting information out of her interviewee without appearing to dominate the conversation. Although it sounds odd, I think that to say you didn’t notice an interviewer is high praise.

[sea horse]

webb said:

Although it sounds odd, I think that to say you didn’t notice an interviewer is high praise.

Isn't this how football referees are also judged? So it must be true!

[Billy Agostini]

I ,too, liked him a great deal Crusoe. Whilst it was tempting to allow this one event to overshadow all other aspects of his life, I think Ms. Buckle made a noble (and successful) attempt to inform the listener of other events within his life and portray a broad and interesting picture of his character. I was pondering - during the introductory phase - on how awful life must be if one doesn’t have an ambition or goal when young. I don’t know about other contributors here, but I found it virtually impossible during school days to do well in a subject that wasn’t interesting. Latin in particular was an extremely depressing subject (for me). Consequently, it was understandable that his ‘A’ level results should gradually deteriorate and it must have been soul destroying to take a subject three times, finally ending up with an ‘O’ level pass! I admired his honesty in speaking openly about this. Ms. Lawley laboured on a little too much about why this perceived failure was such a big deal. The listener wasn’t informed as to how he ended up in ‘investment banking’ or indeed any of his tasks and duties I would certainly liked to have heard him speak about this. I liked the reference to the Ford Mustang.

Yes, I also loved the fact that he he’d attempted to embrace other cultures – normally a major failing of English people (especially R4 listeners!!!). One doesn’t often detect warmth and love within an upper-middle-class family, so the parental support did demonstrate that he comes from a very close and loving family. I think he mentioned that his parent were quite old, so it must have been a dreadful shock for them when the news of their sons attack came through. On other personal issues, I think I’d liked to have known how/when/where he’d met his wife. The two demonstrations of emotion during the programme were also good to hear – always pleasing for me when I come across a male with a heart.

Not too sure what to say about the musical choices. I’ve struggled with Bach all my life and I don’t really see how he can describe it as ‘uplifting’. Bach is so predictable! The oboe is a fav. instrument of mine, so I loved the ‘All Macia’. Grrrrrr, hate Les Patineneurs! It was the last track that really caught my ear (Cumbia del Monte). An old Egyptian friend gave me a Fez many years ago (keep it in my living room), so I placed it on my head, went into Wilson Betty and Keppel mode, and commenced Sand Dancing (just can’t get that movement with my right arm!). I’m sure Ms. Lawley described the song as Columbian, so not sure why it should transport me to Egypt.

I think I’d finish by saying that he must be a very lucky man to have such a devoted and loyal wife.

P.S. Did you catch Private Passions (I kept thinking about Pseuds’ Corner!)?

[Billy Agostini]

Billy said:

Wilson Betty and Keppel

Sorry, meant to write Wilson, Keppel and Betty - no doubt someone would have corrected me.

[Crusoe]

Billy said:

I ,too, liked him a great deal Crusoe. Whilst it was tempting to allow this one event to overshadow all other aspects of his life, I think Ms. Buckle made a noble (and successful) attempt to inform the listener of other events within his life and portray a broad and interesting picture of his character.

Yes, very true,

Billy said:

I was pondering - during the introductory phase - on how awful life must be if one doesn’t have an ambition or goal when young. I don’t know about other contributors here, but I found it virtually impossible during school days to do well in a subject that wasn’t interesting

I understand what you’re saying, Billy, but I’m not sure that not having a goal or ambition necessarily equates to having no interests. I remember being interested in science subjects at school but not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life (although I did go through a phase of wanting to be an actor, after being in the 1982 Roseacre School pantomime).

Billy said:

The listener wasn’t informed as to how he ended up in ‘investment banking’ or indeed any of his tasks and duties I would certainly liked to have heard him speak about this

I get the feeling that this might be one area where “it’s who you know, not what you know” that counts. I have heard lots of stories of sons of upper and upper-middle-class families – from P. G. Wodehouse to Bill Windsor - being sent to work in banks because they didn’t have anything else to do. But it would have been interesting to know a little more of this potentially “glittering career”.

Billy said:

I liked the reference to the Ford Mustang.

Indeed. It’s always a good sign when someone appreciates a classic car.

Billy said:

Yes, I also loved the fact that he he’d attempted to embrace other cultures – normally a major failing of English people (especially R4 listeners!!!).

Hee hee

Billy said:

One doesn’t often detect warmth and love within an upper-middle-class family, so the parental support did demonstrate that he comes from a very close and loving family

I’m not sure if this is entirely fair, these days. There is probably still a little awkwardness about what “the done thing” is, but I get the impression that middle class people do love their children and are do worry about them and want the best for them. I get the feeling (although it is not based on any specific factual research – only on what I see in the streets and on the television) that the greatest neglect of children sees to come form parents from poorer backgrounds.

Billy said:

I think he mentioned that his parent were quite old, so it must have been a dreadful shock for them when the news of their sons attack came through

It must, indeed, although I suppose since they were used to a fairly unconventional lifestyle they may have been better equipped to cope with the shock than some.

Billy said:

On other personal issues, I think I’d liked to have known how/when/where he’d met his wife. The two demonstrations of emotion during the programme were also good to hear – always pleasing for me when I come across a male with a heart.

Yes, I agree with both of these thoughts, Billy.

Billy said:

Not too sure what to say about the musical choices… It was the last track that really caught my ear (Cumbia del Monte). An old Egyptian friend gave me a Fez many years ago (keep it in my living room), so I placed it on my head, went into Wilson Betty and Keppel mode, and commenced Sand Dancing (just can’t get that movement with my right arm!).

Well, the music was certainly eclectic and enjoyed that aspect o fit, if not every piece of music. I love the image of you sand dancing.

Billy said:

P.S. Did you catch Private Passions (I kept thinking about Pseuds’ Corner!)?

No, I missed that. Perhaps just as well.