Graeme Downes
The shifting focus of the music business
Music reviewer Graeme Downes looks at how the music industry has extended itself beyond the music. The hook is no longer just confined to the handling of musical ideas - but extends to activities on… Audio
The inter-generational appeal of music
Music commentator and University of Otago lecturer Graeme Downes has been continuing his seminar series with his students and finds the songs that students connect with are the ones their grandparents… Audio
Songs that resonate
Music reviewer and academic Graeme Downes looks at why some songs mean so much to us. He touches on 'Both Sides Now', by Joni Mitchell, 'What's Going On' by Marvin Gaye and Nina Simone's 'Feeling… Video, Audio
The Verlaines vent their Spleen
Music commentator Graeme Downes joins us for the last time before he takes a sabbatical with a very personal look at the Verlaines 10th studio album Dunedin Spleen, to be released on May 10. Video, Audio
Music with Graeme Downes
Music correspondent Graeme Downs focuses on two songs from Canadian-American roots rock group The Band: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and The Weight. Audio
Joni Mitchell: Reckless Daughter
Graeme Downes has been listening to Don Juan's Reckless Daughter a 1977 double album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Graeme Downes is a musicologist and senior lecturer in the Department… Audio
Striking a chord
Music! It's a world of endless complexity, limitless possibilities ... over the course of human history we've written millions of songs, concertos, jams and ditties. Audio
Musical endings and new beginnings
Musicologist Graeme Downes marks the recent death of Pete Shelley, founder of the Buzzcocks, by sharing something of the great musical wit we've lost. There's also room for some Bruce Springsteen… Audio
Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures
A chance sighting of a young student wearing a t-shirt of Joy Division's breakthrough album Unknown Pleasures, caused Graeme Downes to dust off his vinyl copy and reacquaint himself with the record… Audio
Music With Graeme Downes
Graeme Downes asks why Beethoven's Symphony No 9 is still such a big deal? Ahead of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's performance on Friday and Saturday, Graeme takes Kathryn through the symphony… Audio
Songs of War and Protest
With Armistice Day coming up this Sunday, music commentator, Graeme Downes has been listening to protest songs. He chosen 3 that still resonate - 'Talkin World War III Blues' by Bob Dylan… Audio
Hotel California & other songs that never let you leave
Graeme Downes has been listening to The Eagles famous song Hotel California ahead of their tour to New Zealand next year. This got him thinking about other songs where circularity is a strong theme… Audio
Straightjacket Fits
Graeme Downes reviews the music of legendary Kiwi band Straitjacket Fits ahead of their four-city reunion tour starting at the end of next month. Audio
Classic collaboration: Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick
Graeme Downes takes a timely look at the iconic sound of Burt Bacharach, Hall David and Dionne Warwick. He's been listening to 'Walk On By', 'Anyone Who Had a Heart', 'Do You Know the Way to San Jose'… Audio
The different sounds of Aretha Franklin
Graeme Downes has been listening to Aretha Franklin's back catalogue and chosen four different examples of her genius. Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, Say a Little Prayer and Eleanor Rigby. Graeme… Audio
The Chills, Snow Bound
Graeme Downes reviews The Chills new album, Snow Bound. Graeme says this is unmistakably a Chills album ... from first note to last. Snow Bound will be released on September 14th. Audio
Music: breaking the language rules
Graeme Downes looks at the way breaking grammar rules can sometimes work really well in song composition. He's been listening to Metal Guru by T-Rex, Because the Night by the Patti Smith Group, There… Audio
Music: When words fail you
Graeme Downes features the music of Pearl Jam, Kenny Rodgers and Randy Newman in his discussion of subjects that are extraordinarily difficult to write about, like bullying and mental trauma. Graeme… Audio
Rolling Stone Magazine 21st century top 10
What will survive by 2025? Graeme Downes reviews 3 of the top ten, Royals by Lorde, Runaway by Kanye West and Hey Ya by Outcast. Audio
Van Morrison's Astral Weeks Turns 50
Musicologist and senior lecturer in the Department of Music at the University of Otago, Graeme Downes, talks about Van Morrison and the 50th anniversary of Astral Weeks. Audio