Introduction (0:00:07 - 0:14:55):

Steve kicks off the episode with updates on his live shows, including upcoming recordings at the Into the Wild Festival and a special event at Wilton's Music Hall on 30th November. He encourages listeners to join his Patreon for discounted tickets and exclusive offers.

Steve then recaps highlights from episode 18 before diving into an engaging interview with Ola Onabulé.

Exploring Genre Flexibility (0:14:55 - 0:18:40):

Steve reflects on the journey of embracing multiple genres in music. He emphasises the importance of maintaining authenticity and the unique human touch that differentiates their music from AI-generated content. The discussion includes the creative process behind their track "Hacked Soul," highlighting its unpredictable evolution and polyrhythmic elements - and you can listen to the entire song at the end of the episode.

Musical Influence of Nigerian Heritage (0:18:40 - 0:23:44):

Steve and Ola discuss the deep sense of rhythm ingrained from growing up in Nigeria and how these African rhythms translate into genres like hip hop, rock, and blues.

Journey of a Soul Singer (0:23:44 - 0:39:11):

Ola shares his musical journey, starting with the impact of Stevie Wonder's album "Songs in the Key of Life" on his upbringing. He recounts a chance encounter that led him from law school to becoming a renowned singer. Ola then demonstrates his impressive baritone-to-tenor range.

Mexican Corrido (0:39:11 - 0:49:21):

Steve explores the genre of corrido, a traditional Mexican music style. He discusses the evolution of corridos from historical narratives to modern themes tied to narco culture. Insights from an interview with Mexican trumpeter Alex Gonzalez reveal the genre's progression and the blending of traditional and modern elements in corridos tumbados.

The Political Impact of Corridos (0:49:21 - 0:57:35):

They delve into the political undertones of corridos and their influence on Mexican culture. Steve discusses different types of corridos, their coded messages, and his experience attempting to create music in the corrido style. The segment concludes with a reflection on the broader purpose of music in conveying positive messages to future generations.

Genre Exploration (0:57:35 - 1:07:04):

Steve continues to explore corrido music, sharing his journey into understanding the genre and its connections to outlaw narco culture. Inspired by, and featuring Alex, Steve creates his own piece of corrido music. The episode finishes by choosing the next genre for the genre tombola.

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In this episode of "Steve Pretty on the Origin of the Pieces," host Steve Pretty chats with Jeff Miller, a specialist in early brass instruments. They explore the origins and evolution of low brass instruments, particularly the serpent, and its historical significance. The discussion covers the cultural and physical aspects of music, the unique characteristics of various instruments, and the universal nature of musical languages. Steve also recaps his recent experiences at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft. The episode rounds off with an interview with and performance from the Lowestoft Longshoremen, a sea shanty choir, highlighting the cultural importance of their music.

Recap of Last Episode (00:00:07)

Steve summarizes the previous episode, including a session with a BBC engineer, discussion on Debussy and Arabesque music, and experiences at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft.

First Light Festival in Lowestoft (00:02:22)

Steve shares his experiences at the First Light Festival, including performances, interactions, and the festival's significance.

Performances at First Light Festival (00:03:34)

Steve details his performances at the festival, including a parade, concerts, and a dawn set on the beach.

Emotional Experience at Dawn Set (00:05:35)

Steve recounts the emotional impact of playing shells at dawn.

Introduction to Jeff Miller (00:08:41)

Steve introduces Jeff Miller, a multi-instrumentalist and low brass specialist, and their musical collaborations.

Evolution of Low Brass Instruments (00:09:55)

Jeff discusses the origins and evolution of low brass instruments and cultural influences on music.

Cultural Perspectives on Music (00:14:49)

Jeff and Steve explore cultural differences in musical harmony and its impact on music experience.

Classification of Musical Instruments (00:19:21)

Jeff explains the classification of musical instruments and his experience with various brass and woodwind instruments.

The origin of brass instruments (00:20:34)

Discussion on the historical evolution of brass instruments from animal horns to the cornet.

Design and structure of the serpent (00:23:31)

Description of the serpent, its components, and design.

Challenges of playing the serpent (00:27:07)

Explanation of the difficulties in playing the serpent.

Range and performance of the serpent (00:33:19)

Demonstration of the serpent's range and its use in orchestral performances.

Musical examples and timbre of the serpent (00:36:16)

Performance of a cello piece on the serpent and discussion of its unique timbre.

Challenges of playing the serpent (00:38:44)

Exploration of the difficulties in playing the serpent.

Serpent musical performance (00:39:39)

Musical performance on the serpent.

Challenges of playing traditional brass instruments (00:40:49)

Frustrations faced by modern brass players with traditional instruments.

Exploring the nature of sound through synths (00:42:28)

Jeff's journey into sound manipulation through electronic instruments.

Passing down heritage through sea shanties (00:58:06)

The importance of passing down heritage through sea shanties.

Singing Shanties (00:58:59)

Discussion on the tradition and history of singing shanties.

Diversity of Shanties (01:00:12)

Exploration of the diverse origins of shanties and their global influence.

Performance and Audience Interaction (01:01:51)

Reflection on shanty performances and audience engagement.

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Episode Summary

In this episode, Steve Pretty embarks on a sonic journey with Martin Appleby, a seasoned sound engineer with over nearly four decades of experience at BBC's Maida Vale studios. They delve into Martin's illustrious career, exploring his role in capturing live music for prestigious BBC programs and his the challenges and opportunities of live recording. The episode further explores the philosophical dimensions of recording live ensembles and the unique challenges of live studio recording.

Key Topics Discussed

Introduction to Martin Appleby

- Overview of Martin's 40-year career at the BBC.

- Martin's background as a musician and sound engineer.

- His studies on the Appalachian dulcimer and its connections to West African music traditions.

- The rich history and significance of Maida Vale studios.

Live Studio Recording

- The art and pressure of recording live music in a studio setting.

- The benefits of musicians performing together in the same room without headphones.

- Highlighting a memorable session with singer Jamie Cullum.

- The role of sound engineers in capturing authentic, dynamic performances.

Technical Aspects of Recording

- Use of omni and stereo cardioid microphones.

- Shaping the sound with artistic precision, akin to photography.

- The importance of perspective in music recording.

Exploration of Arabesque Music and Debussy

- The influence of Islamic art on Debussy's compositions.

- Debussy's revolutionary approach to music, seeking to establish a distinct French identity.

- Insights from pianist Benjamin Steinhardt on Debussy's inspirations.

Debussy's Musical Legacy

- Debussy's use of older modes and Eastern pentatonic scales.

- The impact of his relationship with his patron Nadja and admiration for Chopin.

- Steve's own attempts at composing in Debussy's style and its analysis.

Evolving Music Industry

- Discussion on AI-generated music and its potential limitations.

- Updates on the music industry landscape, including genre explorations and the transformation of the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh into a community-owned arts hub.

- The closure of the Towersley Festival and the challenges faced by live music events today.

Notable Quotes

- "Capturing the performance is the one thing you really can't fake." - Martin Appleby

- "The great thing we can do that nobody else can is we've got the space. The musicians can all come in, be in one place, do their thing, go away, and we just mix it." - Martin Appleby

Additional Information

- **Patreon:** Listeners can support the show and access exclusive content on Steve Pretty's Patreon page.

- **Previous Episode:** Exploration of the double bass with Charlie Pine.

Next Episode Teasers

- Upcoming explorations of genres like Tona and Corrido.

- Further discussions on the evolving landscape of the music industry.

Listeners are encouraged to tune in for a deep dive into the world of sound engineering, the legacy of Debussy, and the vibrant history of Maida Vale studios.

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