Johnny Marr On Music, Morrissey, The Smiths & His Greatest Regrets. Set The Boy Free!

Broken Music By Sting: Why The Police Front Man Is A Working Class Hero | This Bit's Brilliant

On this episode of This Bits Brilliant Paul Ging and Simon Q Elliott discusses *Broken Music*, the autobiography by **Sting** (aka Gordon Sumner), which covers his early life. Paul argues that Sting "gets a bad press" and is "condemned for a lot of the things that other musicians get away with". Sting wrote some all time great hits songs - the book details Sting's beginnings in the North East of England, living in Wallsend and playing gigs at places like the Gosforth Hotel in Newcastle. Sting's first band was the **Phoenix Jazz Men**, where he was the 21-year-old bass player. The band leader, Gordon Solomon, gave him the name "Sting" because his black and yellow hooped sweater made him look like a wasp. Paul reads a hilarious anecdote from the book about a disastrous gig at the Red House Farm Social Club in Sunderland after a bingo session. While giving a pre-show pep talk, the band leader accidentally snaps the plastic membrane on the bingo machine. When the machine is turned on, a "relentless hail of luminous pingpong balls" bombards the horrified audience. Simon and Paul conclude that The Police, who used punk "as a flag of convenience," have faced criticism partly because they could "play their instruments". The conversation also covers The Police's early days, including a riotous festival appearance in France with The Clash and The Damned, and how they recorded their first three albums in a tiny studio called Surrey Sound in Leatherhead to save money. The hosts also discuss Sting's controversial reputation, especially his 2006 lute album. Paul suggests that if Damon Albarn or Thom Yorke had done a lute album, they would have been praised, calling it a double standard. Explore the fascinating world of music and sport through reviews of the best books we can lay our hands on. On this unique channel we dive into literature on sport and music. uncovering hidden gems and unexpected connections. From classic writing to the all time bestsellers, we'll give you book reviews that lead you to discover great writing that resonates. Join us on this captivating journey as we delve into the world of words and melodies!

The Knockout by Andy Clarke. Finding out the BRUTAL TRUTH. Boxing's knockout moment investigated in a brilliant book.

Welcome to **This Bit’s Brilliant**, the book podcast presented by **Simon Q Elliott** and **Paul Ging**, where life’s too short for boring books. In this episode, the pair dive headfirst into the brutal, beautiful and unsettling world of boxing with **The Knockout by Andy Clarke** – a truly outstanding book that looks at the most dramatic moment in sport and asks what it really means for everyone involved.This isn’t just a boxing book about fights and results. Andy Clarke, one of the sport’s sharpest writers and an insider with years of ringside experience, gets under the skin of boxing by focusing on the knockout itself – that split second when hope ends, everything changes, and lives are altered forever. Clarke explores the knockout from every angle: the fighter who lands the punch, the fighter who takes it, the trainers, referees, journalists, families and the silent, stunned dressing rooms that follow.Simon and Paul talk through some of the book’s most powerful moments, including Clarke’s writing on iconic British bouts like **Carl Froch vs George Groves**, as well as lesser-known but equally devastating fights that reveal just as much about boxing’s psychological cost. Along the way, the episode touches on fighters and figures such as **David Haye**, **George Groves**, **Carl Froch**, **Barry McGuigan**, **Deontay Wilder**, **Tyson Fury**, **Mike Tyson**, **Teddy Atlas** and many more, placing the book firmly in the wider boxing landscape.What makes *The Knockout* such a great read is Clarke’s ability to balance empathy with honesty. He doesn’t glamorise violence, but he doesn’t look away either. He captures what it feels like to be “hurt”, what it takes to come back from a knockout, and why for many fighters the real damage isn’t physical but emotional – to ego, identity and self-belief. From packed arenas to small halls like York Hall, this book takes you places most fans never get to see.This episode is perfect for boxing fans, sports readers, and anyone interested in the psychology of competition, courage and loss. Whether your reference points are Froch, Haye and Groves, or the raw atmosphere of grassroots boxing, this conversation shows why *The Knockout* is one of the best modern books on the sport.If you love boxing books, sports writing, and podcasts that really dig into what makes great books tick, this one’s a must-listen.Explore the fascinating world of music and sport through the lens of amazing book reviews! It even covers why plenty of people in boxing actually love the Rocky movies. On this unique podcast we dive into literature on sport and music. uncovering hidden gems and unexpected connections. From classic writing to the all time bestsellers, we'll give you book reviews that lead you to discover great writing that resonates. Join us on this captivating journey as we delve into the world of words and melodies!

Johnny Marr On Music, Morrissey, The Smiths & His Greatest Regrets. Set The Boy Free!

🎸 Set The Boy Free: The Johnny Marr Story Welcome to This Bit's Brilliant, where we dive into the most fascinating music and sport books! In this episode, hosts Simon Q. Elliot and Paul Ging talk about just how good Johnny Marr's autobiography, Set The Boy Free is. This is essential listening for music fans interested in the 80s, the world of UK culture, and, of course, anyone who loves The Smiths, Morrissey, or Johnny Marr. Discover new insights into the legendary Manchester band's formation, inner conflicts, and explosive breakup. Marr's book offers a unique perspective on his life before, during, and after The Smiths. Our hosts marvel at the fact that Marr had achieved so much before the band split when he was only 23 years old! The discussion focuses heavily on the band’s internal dynamics, particularly the growing strain between Marr and Morrissey. Marr details the early signs of their eventual split, stemming from Morrissey’s resistance to management, which increasingly pushed the unwelcome role of band decision-maker and booker onto Marr. This early responsibility—dealing with everything from invoices to booking trucks—is highlighted as a major source of the resentment that led to his departure. The conversation takes a deep dive into the band's distinctive aesthetic, discussing Morrissey's famous affectations like the gladioli and the hearing aid (a nod to singer Johnny Ray). Marr’s view on the romanticizing of working-class hardship—a staple in British films like Saturday Night and Sunday Morning—is examined. He clarifies his perspective: he appreciated the aesthetic but didn't romanticize poverty, a theme also explored later in Pulp's Common People. Marr's creative genius is underscored by the incredible anecdote of him writing the music for three classic tracks—"William, It Was Really Nothing," "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want," and "How Soon Is Now?"—in just a couple of days. The hosts reflect on the nature of songwriting streaks, referencing Noel Gallagher and the difficulty of maintaining that creative flow. Marr's solo career and collaborations are explored, detailing his encounters with true rock legends. * Keith Richards: Marr recalls an incredible session playing old soul songs with the Rolling Stones guitarist, noting Richards' love for music and his probable appreciation for Marr's post-punk guitar finesse, which brought back a finger-picking style reminiscent of the 60s. * Paul McCartney: Marr shares the story of being called to play with the Beatle and his attempt to seek wisdom about his band breakup, to which McCartney simply replied, "That's bands for you." The episode concludes with a look at the final moments of The Smiths, detailing the breakup that occurred after Morrissey refused to show up for a video shoot. Our hosts reflect on how two very different people, like Marr and Morrissey, can intersect for a brief moment of creative brilliance before their inherent differences pull them apart, comparing it to other legendary band and team dynamics. Set The Boy Free is described as an engaging and highly recommended book, with Marr's personality shining through. Get ready to press play and enjoy this brilliant discussion! Would you like to hear about the hosts' recommendations for Station Eleven or the TikTok phenomenon Bin Game? 💥 The Rise and Split of The Smiths💽 Aesthetics, Affection, and Creative Genius🎤 Post-Smiths and Colossal Connections

Bodyline Ashes: Cricket's BIGGEST controversy & The BRILLIANT Book on Harold Larwood Vs Don Bradman

Harold Larwood: The Fastest Bowler in Cricket History | The Bodyline Ashes Scandal of 1932–33 | Duncan Hamilton Book Review Podcast Step into one of the most explosive and controversial chapters in the history of Ashes cricket — the 1932–33 Bodyline series — as we dive deep into the extraordinary life and legacy of Harold Larwood, the English fast bowler who redefined fear, speed, and sportsmanship. In this episode, we review Duncan Hamilton’s award-winning book Larwood, a masterful portrait of the man behind the mayhem — the miner from Nottinghamshire who became cricket’s most feared weapon. Regarded by many as the fastest bowler ever, Harold Larwood could reportedly reach speeds close to 100 miles per hour. But it wasn’t just his pace that made history — it was how that pace was used. Under the ruthless and calculating leadership of England captain Douglas Jardine, Larwood became the spearhead of the infamous Bodyline tactic, a strategy designed specifically to counter the genius of Sir Donald Bradman, Australia’s national hero and the greatest batsman the game has ever seen. What followed wasn’t just a cricket series — it was a sporting war that shook the Empire. The 1932–33 Ashes turned from competition into conflict. Australian crowds booed, raged, and demanded justice as Larwood’s blistering deliveries targeted the body rather than the stumps. Batsmen were injured, tempers flared, and diplomacy crumbled. The outrage grew so intense that Australia’s Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, was forced to intervene. The Bodyline scandal strained relations between England and Australia, almost tearing apart the spirit of the game itself. But while the Australian players and public saw Larwood as a villain, the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) — England’s cricketing establishment — showed little concern for the storm he faced. As long as England kept winning, the MCC didn’t care about the moral fallout. When the controversy reached boiling point, and Larwood became the scapegoat for England’s tactics, the establishment turned its back on him. He was left to bear the weight of a nation’s anger — both abroad and at home. Through Duncan Hamilton’s insightful writing, we explore the human side of Harold Larwood — not just the bowler who terrified Australia, but the man who grew up in the harsh coal pits of Nottinghamshire, working long hours underground before rising to international fame. Hamilton’s book paints Larwood as a symbol of working-class grit and determination — a man who gave everything to his country, only to be abandoned when politics took over. In this podcast episode, we break down the Bodyline controversy, the tactics, the personalities, and the aftermath that changed cricket forever. We discuss Don Bradman’s brilliance, Douglas Jardine’s cold strategic mind, and Larwood’s raw physical power, all set against a backdrop of national rivalry, media outrage, and moral debate. Whether you’re a passionate cricket historian, a die-hard Ashes fan, or simply fascinated by stories of courage, controversy, and class, this is the definitive deep dive into a sporting event that transcended the boundary rope. Discover how Harold Larwood’s thunderous bowling brought Don Bradman’s batting genius under pressure, how Australian fans and cricket authorities reacted with fury, and how the fallout from Bodyline changed the laws of cricket forever. Join us as we revisit the 1932–33 Ashes series, the tactics that shocked the world, and the man whose name still echoes through cricketing folklore. Learn how a miner’s son from Nottinghamshire became the fastest bowler in history, the face of controversy, and ultimately, a hero of the game. If you love cricket history, Ashes rivalries, and the stories behind the sport’s most dramatic moments, this is the podcast episode you’ve been waiting for. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more deep dives into cricket’s most fascinating stories — from Bodyline to Bradman, from Larwood to legend.

Alex James BOOK A Bit of a Blur is AMAZING. Britpop, Indie and the life of a 90s Rock Star. This Bit's Brilliant Podcast. Life's too short for bad books

Blur were one of the biggest bands of the 90s. Simon Q. Elliott and Paul Ging explain why Alex James's memoir, A Bit Of A Blur is fun, funny and very interesting on what it was like to be a Cool Britannia rock star. Exploring the early days of Blur, the highs and lows of rock stardom, and the friendships formed in the music scene. They highlight some of the best bits that James talks about - his experiences of fame, the impact of hedonism, and the unique moments that define a rock star's life, all while maintaining a sense of humour and nostalgia for the 90s music era.TakeawaysAlex James's book offers a unique perspective on the 90s music scene.The early days of Blur were marked by excitement and excess.Fame can bring both joy and confusion to artists.Iceland provided a backdrop for self-discovery and reflection.Friendships in the music industry can be both supportive and complex.The Brit Awards were a memorable experience for Alex James.Hedonism requires constant effort to avoid falling into routine.Childlike wonder can be a powerful lens for experiencing life.The contrast between enjoying fame and its darker sides is evident.Alex James's humor and storytelling make the memoir engaging.This Bit's Brilliant is a podcast that tells viewers about great books on music, sport and culture. Because life's too short for bad books. On this unique channel we dive classics, hidden gems and unexpected connections. From classic writing to the all time bestsellers, we'll give you book reviews that lead you to discover great writing that resonates.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Book and Author02:57 The Early Days of Blur and Fame06:09 Exploring Iceland: A Journey of Discovery08:56 The Highs and Lows of Rock Stardom12:03 Friendships and Connections in the Music Scene14:50 Memorable Experiences at the Brit Awards17:49 Reflections on Fame and Its Impact20:50 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywordsBlur, Alex James, rock music, fame, memoir, 90s music scene, Iceland, Brit Awards, friendships, music industry