Graeme Downes
Schubert with Dr Graeme Downes
Rock and roll star turned musicologist Graeme Downes gives a masterful breakdown of the enduring brilliance of Schubert's Symphony #9 in C major, and why it’s had a hold on his heart all these years… Audio
Wrapping up the 2021 Season
In his penultimate programme for 2021, William Dart looks back over the year and pursues themes of time passing, complexity versus simplicity, and the importance of legacy, with music by Peggy Seeger… Audio
Dr Graeme Downes - MNZM for services to music
Graeme is a rock musician who founded the Verlaines in Dunedin in 1981, at the heart of what came to be known as the Dunedin sound - along with Toy Love, The Chills, The Clean, Straitjacket Fits and… Audio
Graeme Downes looks back
After four years talking music with us every fortnight on Nine to Noon, today is Graeme Downes' last show. Graeme is a rock musician who founded The Verlaines in Dunedin in 1981, at the heart of what… Audio
Music with Graeme Downes
Graeme squeaks in two years early on the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit! He joins Kathryn to deconstruct the song and discover what made it such an instant… Audio
Music With Graeme Downes
Graeme joins Kathryn to continue with this country theme, this time looking at Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell. Graeme Downes is a musicologist and former senior lecturer in the… Audio
Music with Graeme Downes: Renovating with country royalty
Graeme has been doing some house renovations and streaming some US country radio, with a small playlist on high rotate! But it's offered up the best of country music royalty: including Kenny Rodgers… Audio
Deep Purple and Beethoven with Graeme Downes
This week Graeme takes a trip down memory lane, looking at Deep Purple's Live in Japan album. The band is still active and have their 21st album coming out next month. He'll also look at concerts… Audio
Music With Graeme Downes: Lou Reed - Rock 'n Roll Animal
Music commentator Graeme Downes joins Kathryn to share another live album and continues with his transformation theme of the last show. Today he breaks down two songs from Lou Reed's Rock 'n Roll… Audio
Music With Graeme Downes
Music correspondent Graeme Downes joins Kathryn to look at Bob Dylan's Hard Rain, Rolling Thunder Tour, keeping his live album theme going in a time of cancelled live gigs. Audio
The long wait for Neil Young's Live at Massey Hall album
Music commentator Graeme Downes looks at why Neil Young's album, recorded in 1971, sat in limbo until 2007. He'll share some gems, including Old Man, Cowgirl in the Sand and A Man needs a Maid/Heart… Audio
Music With Graeme Downes
Graeme joins Kathryn to talk about The Who - and songs from their The Kids are Alright album. Graeme Downes is a musicologist and senior lecturer in the Department of Music at the University of Otago.
…The lure of a (good) live album
Music commentator Graeme Downes has been thinking about the number of live recordings he owns, and what makes a good live album. He shares some tunes from Tom Waits' Big Time and Glitter and Doom live… Audio
A revisionist summer with Public Image Ltd
Music correspondent Graeme Downes has been looking back this summer as he downsizes his music collection. He joins Kathryn for a look at English post-punk band Public Image Ltd. Graeme Downes is a… Audio
The music of Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Music reviewer Graeme Downes joins Kathryn to talk about Canadian sister singer-songwriting duo Kate and Anna McGarrigle, with a look at their songs First Born, Dancer with Bruised Knees and Perrine… Audio
Longer story songs, music and unpleasure
Music correspondent Graeme Downes looks at some country music with longer narratives and the pain that's experienced by the subjects of the songs, featuring Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris' $1000… Audio
A retrospective - and prospective - of Randy Newman
Music commentator Graeme Downes has booked his tickets for a night with Randy Newman when he's here in February. With six decades of back catalogue, Graeme picks five short songs that illustrate some… Audio
Russian rock with Graeme Downes
Musicologist and University of Otago lecturer Graeme Downes' students introduced him to some Russian music he'd not heard before and he's decided to share it today. The band is Kino, which was closely… Audio
The other side of Abbey Road
Music commentator Graeme Downes looks at the Beatles' Abbey Road album at fifty - but focuses on the side two medley. Graeme Downes is a musicologist and senior lecturer in the Department of Music at… Audio
Kurt Cobain: Still the master craftsman
Music reviewer Graeme Downes looks at the music of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, 25 years after his death. What was it about the 'Nevermind' album that resonated with so many of his fans? Audio