Attention all Fry & Laurie fans out there (and I know there are quiet a few of you!).

According to The Guardian, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie will reunite this fall for a documentary on the Gold channel about their careers and partnership.   This retrospective, tentatively titled Fry & Laurie: Re-United, also coincides with the release of Fry’s second volume of his memoirs. The memoirs pick up where Moab is My Washpot left off, as Fry begins at Cambridge where he met Laurie.

A New Fry & Laurie Photo! (from The Guardian)

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to retread the 30 years Hugh and I have known each other and worked together,”  Fry said quoted by the BBC. “I hope GOLD viewers enjoy watching us grow older and older.”

Granted, they aren’t putting together a new skit show, but seeing these two together should be fun and interesting! I’ll be keeping my eye out for additional information the closer we get to the fall.

By the way, I really love that photo. Don’t you?

Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie to Reunite is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Last week the music world lost one of its visionaries – Malcolm McLaren, former manager of the Sex Pistols and punk visionary. He died on April 8^th at age 64.

[picappgallerysingle id="2326803" align="center"]

McLaren was quite the colorful character in the British music scene. He took the advice his grandmother gave him, “To be bad is good…to be good is simply boring.” to heart. After attending and being expelled from several art colleges, he began his career as a clothing designer. With his girlfriend, Vivienne Westwood, he opened Let It Rock, a hip clothing store in London.

After meeting the New York Dolls in London, McLaren left for New York to become their manager. This was a short lived journey, since the Dolls broke up shortly afterward.

Upon his return to London, he rejoined Westwood and changed the name of their shop to SEX, selling rather suggestive clothing. But McLaren wanted to manage a band and soon discovered The Strand, three of those members would become members of the Sex Pistols. With McLaren’s recruitment of John Lydon, now christened Johnny Rotten, the new band was ready to take over the music scene.

McLaren was a student of the French Situationists, who believed in performing maddening scenes and incidents to promote “social change.” If anything, he was a keen publicity seeker and knew how to use the media to promote his band. During the Queen’s Silver Jubilee he organized a boat trip down the Thames that included the Sex Pistols performing “God Save the Queen” outside the Houses of Parliament. Instead, the boat was raided and McLaren was arrested. More people found out about the arrest than they would’ve the mini-concert and soon enough, the single made its way up the charts.

With McLaren’s mad ideas, the Sex Pistols represented the look, attitude and sound of punk. Last year he told the New York Times, “I never thought the Sex Pistols would be any good. But it didn’t matter if they were bad.”

After the Pistols broke up, McLaren managed several bands, including Adam and the Ants, and Bow Wow Wow. He also recorded albums of his own, including 1983′s “Duck Rock”. In recent years, McLaren was rumored to run for Mayor of London (can you imagine?!), produced films including Fast Food Nation, and presented two documentary series, Malcolm McLaren’s Musical Map of London & Malcolm McLaren’s Life and Times in LA, for BBC Radio 2.

For music that was meant to be alternative, McLaren made punk mainstream. To Malcolm McLaren punk was more than music – it was a way of life.

Malcolm McLaren: Punk’s Eccentric Uncle is a post from: Anglotopia.net

There was no time for Brit Celeb chatter on this weeks show on LA Talk Radio.  We were too absorbed by our very special guest Rachel Marie Walsh who at 21 is Britain’s Youngest Female Medium.  Rachel shares how she discovered her special gift and had a special message for Leo (our roving reporter and co-host) from his grandfather. If this is a world that fascinates you are not – Rachel’s stories really are amazing and scary all wrapped into one.  Right from an early age Rachel witnessed figures at the end of her bed, moving objects and bright lights flashing.

Listen in to find out how she channels her gift to brighten the lives of others, what is the difference between a psychic and a medium and so much more.  http://www.latalkradio.com/images/Catherine-041510.mp3

Listen LIVE every week on www.latalkradio.com at 1pm PST, 4PM EST and 9pm in the wonderland land of Great Britain.

We also world premiere 2 of Leo Vargas latest tracks… Listen and Enjoy.

Brit Celeb Radio #5 – Britain’s Youngest Female Medium is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Dear London:

Thank you for your outstanding hospitality at the end of February. You did a great job introducing yourself to my father who has never visited before. Your streets were clean and the Tube mostly on time (I still enjoy its communication system and apologizes for even being a minute late. Now if Boston could catch on…). Meanwhile, your traffic is still absolutely insane.

As for the weather, you and Mother Nature did a great job assuring it wasn’t too rainy. Saturday was absolutely brilliant for our cruise down the Thames and our jaunt around Greenwich. I don’t want to sound too greedy, but that pouring rain we had to endure while looking for the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to see Oliver! was completely

The London Eye

unnecessary. We had a hard enough time finding the place, we didn’t need to get soaked.

Standing in two hemispheres in Greenwich was a treat. Okay, so I am easily pleased…but how many people can say they stood in the East and West at the same time? Prior to our journey down river, we had heard that Greenwich Park was a dump. I’m not sure what park they visited, but we found it to be a pleasant and clean stroll, that quickly turned into a slightly steep hill up to the Royal Observatory. The great views of Greenwich, the Royal Naval College and London were worth it.

We found ourselves deep in military history when visiting Imperial War Museum and the Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms. Having never been to the IWM, it was fascinating to learn about World War I and II from the British perspective. The IWM brought the harsh realities of the Great War to the forefront. For me, one of the most moving museum experiences was in the trench room/exhibit. In small groups, you walk through an example of a trench, complete with the darkness, the sounds of bombs and whistles, voices of fellow soldiers and the smell. Oh, the smell! I couldn’t get it out of my nose for hours. You can’t help but be scared and creeped out. But the experience is worth it.

We did leave you once, London, for the day. The family and I took the train up to Ely, in East Anglica to visit friends.

What a wonderful part of the country! I just love it up there and the Ely Cathedral is such a gem. I think my parents found the slower pace of a town to be refreshing.

The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, another great moment from our visit. To be part of something that has taken place every single night for 700 years is never to be forgotten. We don’t think twice about locking our homes, but at the Tower of London, locking up for the night is serious business. I wonder if Queen Elizabeth realizes how much of a big deal is made of her keys!

The Monument to the Great Fire of London is a hidden treasure. After one walks up 311 steps, they get unbeatable views of the city. So worth the 3 quid and climb.

Marks & Spencers has yet to let me down. I realize my love of their sandwiches borders on the bizarre, but honestly, I’ve never had a better BLT. Two weeks from now I am guaranteed to start craving them again.

Saw the new official portrait of Princes William and Harry. I love it even more in person. Or maybe I just really love them…

I’m always, always taken aback by who is buried in Westminster Abbey and all of the artwork found in every nook and cranny. If one needs any confirmation regarding the greatness of British heritage, walk around the Abbey. You are guaranteed to step on great thinkers, scientists, actors, writers, politicians, military heroes, kings and queens who changed history and the world forever. The history of civilization is found between its walls.

Look! It is Anne Hathaway!

My sister and I made great attempts to see movie stars at the Alice in Wonderland movie premier in Leicester Square. There we were, in the rain, among too many people screaming at random cars driving by, close yet far enough away from the theater not to  see anyone famous. In an effort to fight boredom, I would lift my camera above the crowd and take pictures. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized I got a photo of Anne Hathaway’s back.

Our week did contain a brush with fame: While waiting for the bus in my sister’s adoptive town of Kingston, Judi Dench walked right by us. M!

And of course, I made my pilgrimages to Baker Street and then Abbey Road. Yet again, no sign of Paul McCartney. Maybe some day.

Afternoon tea at Harrod’s is still as delightful as ever. I could go for one of those scones right about now.

Oh, London, it was such a whirl wind trip! It was wonderful to be back, to walk your streets, to pop in and out of shops. Spending part of the afternoon sitting in a Oxford Circus coffee shop drinking tea and reading British newspapers was an activity I could easily get used to.

You are still my favorite place. Your history and culture leave me in awe. I can’t wait to visit and explore all you have to offer again.

Until next time,

MK

Anglophile in Exile: A Love Letter to London from My Recent Trip is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Voting is open for 3 categories in the 2010 BRIT Awards.

The BRITS, aka the British Grammy Awards, celebrate the best of British music. You don’t have to be British to vote.

To register and vote visit the BRITS website.

In my opinion, the most important category is BRIT Album of 30 Years.

According to the voting website:

The British Album of 30 years category is supported by BBC Radio 2. The 10 nominated albums are decided by sales figures over the last 29 years, and they also must be a past BRIT Award winner, in the Album category.  Radio 2 listeners may cast one free online vote for your favourite BRITs Album of 30 years within the entire voting period.

The nominees are:

• Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head
• Dido – No Angel
• Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms
• Duffy – Rockferry
• Keane – Hopes & Fears
• Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
• Phil Collins – No Jacket Required
• Sade – Diamond Life
• The Verve – Urban Hymns
• Travis – The Man Who

Tough group! For me, 5 of those albums are in my personal Top 25 British albums list. Only one vote, one chance to decide.  I’ll be thinking about this one for a bit.

Voting ends today for this group.

The other categories are:

International Breakthrough Act

• Animal Collective
• Daniel Merriweather
• Empure of the Sun
• Lady Gaga
• Taylor Swift

British Single

The nominated singles have been selected by the greatest volume of commerical radio air-play as well as sales results in the 2009 calendar year.

• Alesha Dixon – Breathe Slow
• Alexandra Burke ft. Flo Rida – Bad Boys
• Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love
• Joe McElderry – The Climb
• JLS – Beat Again
• La Rouz – In For the Kill
• Lily Allen – The Fear
• Pixie Lott – Mama Do
• Taio Cruz – Break Your Heart
• Tinchy Stryder ft. N-Dubuz – Number 1

Happy voting everyone!

Calling all British Music Fans! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Starting this week, I’m starting a semi-regular music news update. Let me know if you have any suggestions.  Here is what happened this week:

Rock Mail

Thanks to the Royal Mail you’ll be able to lick some of rock’s best loved albums. Yesterday, January 7th, a new collection of special edition stamps featuring classic albums was released. Each stamp features a cover of ten iconic albums from the past 40 years, including Let It Bleed by the Rolling Stones, IV by Led Zeppelin, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie, Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield, London Calling by The Clash, Power, Corruption and Lies by New Order, Screamadelica by Primal Scream, The Division Bell by Pink Floyd, Parklife by Blur and A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay.

For more information, or to order your own stamps, visit the Royal Mail online.

—
Albums Down, Singles Up

The British Phonographic Society announced this week that UK album sales continued going down, but single sales, thanks to downloading, increased in 2009. 16.1 million albums were legally downloaded throughout the year, while 98 per cent of all singles were sold as downloads, with the total clocking in at 149.7 million.

The Top Ten selling UK albums of 2009 were:

1. Susan Boyle – ‘I Dreamed A Dream’
2. Lady Gaga – ‘The Fame’
3. Michael Buble – ‘Crazy Love’
4. Black Eyed Peas – ‘The End’
5. Kings Of Leon – ‘Only By The Night’
6. JLS – ‘JLS’
7. Beyonce – ‘I Am Sasha Fierce’
8. Paolo Nutini – ‘Sunny Side Up’
9. Lily Allen – ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’
10. Robbie Williams – ‘Reality Killed The Video Star’

The Top Ten selling singles of 2009 were:

1. Lady Gaga – ‘Poker Face’
2. Black Eyed Peas – ‘I Gotta Feeling’
3. Lady Gaga – ‘Just Dance’
4. Cheryl Cole – ‘Fight For This Love’
5. Joe McElderry – ‘The Climb’
6. La Roux – ‘In For The Kill’
7. Black Eyed Peas – ‘Boom Boom Pow’
8. Rage Against The Machine – ‘Killing In The Name’
9. Alexandra Burke Ft Flo Rida – ‘Bad Boys’
10. Black Eyed Peas – ‘Meet Me Halfway’

–

No Stones at Glasto

The Rolling Stones announced that, no, they won’t be headlining the Glastonbury Festival this summer. Not only are they not playing the festival, but they aren’t touring at all in 2010. Maybe this will give Ronnie Wood a year to figure out what he is doing with his life…

–

Pete Plays Music

When not in court, jail or rehab, Pete Doherty plays music. The former Libertine is setting up residency at the The Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel from January 14-17. Hopefully he’ll show up.

—
Coldplay Raises Money for Charity

During the holiday season, Coldplay decided to clean out their closets and auction their stuff off for charity. The ebay auction was a huge success, raising more than £250,000 for Kids Company. Items included guitars, signed posters, props, uniforms and clothing.  Kids Company is a London based organization focused on providing emotional and educational support to children and young adults.

This Week in British Music: Coldplay, Susan Boyle, Royal Mail is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Normally when I travel I try to avoid all chain restaurants – except for the local Hard Rock Cafe.

I don’t go for the food, nor do I go because it is familiar restaurant. I go for the rock’n roll.

As a huge music fan, the HRC is sacred ground. Each restaurant brings music history alive and focuses on the local music scene, the locals who made it big, along with other rock artifacts.  My love for British music makes the London HRC is my absolute favorite.

I’ll never forget my first trip to the HRC in London. I walked in, and was overwhelmed. Looking behind me, I saw 4 tan collarless jackets – the early famous Beatle jackets – in frames. I walked around stunned as I passed more Beatle items, along with items from The Who, The Kinks, Oasis, the Stones, Clapton, etc.

Christmas 2006 saw me in London again, back at the HRC I fell in love with almost a decade ago. On this visit I stumbled upon “The Vault”.

Located in the basement of the Hard Rock Shop in the old Coutts & Co Bank, where the Queen used to keep some stuff, the Vault holds the most valuable memorabilia in the HRC collection. And since it is housed in an old bank building, The Vault is very much in, well, a real vault.

Tours are given daily by a staff member for free.

As I walked down the stairs, I knew I was going somewhere totally cool and special. The room is very small, but it is jam packed with guitars owned by Eric Clapton to Les Paul to Bob Dylan, clothes worn by Keith Moon, Elvis and John Lennon, records and other memorabilia. At the time I was there, we could pick up certain guitars and have our photos taken with them. From what I read from more recent visitors, you pay a small fee to have this honor.

I got to hold Keith Richard’s guitar. I tried to play “Foxey Lady” on Jimi Hendrix’s Flying V guitar, but ran into a problem when I remembered he was left handed and I’m not! It is amazing they let you touch these valuable instruments, but there is a staffer there to assure there aren’t any accidents.

The Vault was recently remodeled and reopened in 2008. It now features even more stuff, like Clapton’s silversuit from Cream’s final album, Madonna JPG Bustier, and the harpsichord used by The Beatles to record “All You Need Is Love” and “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.”

If you are a music fan, I recommend stopping by The Vault. It is one of the coolest things to check out for free in London.

On a side note: I am totally thrilled to announce I am heading back to England in February. My sister is currently studying over there, and my family is going to go over for a visit. Needless to say, I am over the moon. Of course, you folks here at Anglotopia will get a full report, along with any pre-trip musings. I will try to tweet from the UK as well, so please feel free to follow me on Twitter at mkfeeney.

Anglophile in Exile: Inside the Hard Rock Cafe Vault in London – Check Out The Beatles Memorabilia and More! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

As we come to the end of another decade, it is rather common to take stock of what had transpired, the awesome and the should be forgotten. This week I found myself reflecting on the music I discovered and enjoyed. The 2000′s (or the Noughties as the BBC calls it) saw me graduate high school, go to college and jump into the working world, and music was there every step of the way.

So, here’s what I was rocking for the past ten years. (All music mentioned was recorded and released in this decade. I listen to A LOT of pre-2000 music, much of that was discovered during this time, but I will not include those tracks in this post.)

The Albums That Lived in My Stereo for Weeks:

1.) A Rush of Blood to the Head – Coldplay
Released in the fall of 2002, this is my favorite Coldplay album. More adventurous than Parachutes, yet not as bloated as X&Y, this album is the sound of a confident band reflecting on politics, spirituality, love and life. For me, it was the perfect college soundtrack.

[picappgallerysingle id="6544887" align="center"]

2.) Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand
The boys from Glasgow came into my radar in spring 2004 when I heard the song “The Dark of the Matinée”. The energy and the mix of rock and dance was the perfect combination for finding the motivation to clean the house, writing that paper or hanging out with friends at a house party.

3.) Off With Their Heads – Kaiser Chiefs
Oh, this was a hard choice. I love Employment and its Blur/Kinks inspired social commentary, but I love this album a bit more. The playful vibe really resonates with me.

4.) Eye to the Telescope – KT Tunstall
I am a sucker of melodies, and this album is filled with them. KT is a great songwriter and I like that bit of edge she has in her voice. For me, this is a really enjoyable album.

5.) Hail to the Thief - Radiohead
First Radiohead album I ever bought. A bit more accessible than Kid A, it really captured elements of their previous releases. Every song has a subtitle, what isn’t there to love about that?

Other albums I dug: Back to Black by Amy Winehouse, Dig Out Your Soul by Oasis, Electric Arguments by The Fireman, In Rainbows by Radiohead, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay, Hopes and Fears by Keane, Roots and Echoes by The Coral and The Hour of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy.

Looking back, I am also reminded of songs that became favorites of mine and my friends. Who couldn’t miss “Dry Your Eyes” by The Streets? Or their other single “Fit But You Know It”? Other favorites included “Have a Nice Day” and “Mr. Writer” by Stereophonics, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness,

“Chasing Pavements” by Adele, “Mercy” by Duffy, “Boys in the Band” by The Libertines and “Smile” by Lily Allen.

Listening to the BBC and reading various Brit magazines also introduced me to American bands who hadn’t quite made it at home, but were popular in the UK. This included Kings of Leon, The Killers, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Scissor Sisters, Electric Six and the White Stripes.

Starting the decade in full boy band mode and progressing through to a more alternative sound competing with reality television show pop stars, the Noughties saw a variety of outstanding and not so great musical moments. Only time will tell what will be good enough to remember and play on our future Oldies channels.

What about you? What British albums, songs or bands did you enjoy this past decade? Any predictions for the new decade?

The British Music that Rocked My Noughties is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The summer of 2009 belonged to Susan Boyle. The Britain’s Got Talent runner up became a YouTube hit the moment she showed up on stage looking slightly frumpy and opened her mouth, shocking everyone with her fantastic voice.
[picappgallerysingle id="7120460"]
The first time I saw the famous clip of her singing “I Dreamed the Dream”, I got choked up. Her story was inspiring and she had a chance of achieving her dream, to sing for all to hear. I was hooked on the Britain’s Got Talent for the rest of the season and I don’t watch reality shows at all. My heart went out to her when it became clear she was struggling with new found fame. Everyone wanted a piece of Britain’s new singing sensation. Through it all, people around the world wanted Susan to do well and have great success. Susan Boyle was a regular person like us and now she had a chance to fulfill something countless people sit around and think about.

Her debut album, I Dreamed the Dream, dropped this past week around the world.

According to NME, she now has the record for the biggest first week sales for a UK debut album in history. In one week she has sold 410,000 copies, giving her the number one record and becoming the fastest selling albums of the year in the UK. At the time of the writing of this blog, Billboard was reporting Boyle having similar success in the US, estimating 550,000 sales and the biggest debut of 2009.

I want to like this album. Honestly, I do. She is a wonderful singer and her story is so inspiring. But there is something about this album that prevents me from loving it.

The best song on the album, hands down, is “Wild Horses”. She brings a new level to this Rolling Stones classic. Boyle makes it haunting. She gives it sadness.

And maybe that is the problem. From the first song to the last, there is an element of sadness in each of the songs. Boyle has even made “Daydream Believer”, that sing along Monkees tune, into a downer.

Speaking of downers, she sings “The End of the World.” Gah, it is already one of the most depressing songs in popular music, and now after listening to Boyle’s rendition, I just want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.

Let me say this, I like the production. Her voice is out front, clear and crisp. The sparse arrangements match perfectly with her classic voice. The song selection could be much better. And it doesn’t need to be so drenched in depression.

After listening to this album, there is no doubt that Boyle has a special talent. She deserves to have her voice heard by millions, instead of just the folks who live in her village in Scotland.

If she can survive the triumphs and tragedies of stardom, I hope she makes another album. Maybe a collection of showtunes. But whatever happens to Susan Boyle, she achieved her dream. And that is just wonderful.

Recommended Listening: “Wild Horses”, “Cry Me a River”

Susan Boyle: She Dreamed the Dream is a post from: Anglotopia.net

London is a history lover’s playground. Besides all the major locations like Buckingham Palace or Westminster Abbey, almost every neighborhood and block has been witness to famous people and events.

If you look closely, you’ll see on many houses a round blue plaque. These blue plaques are historical markers noting a famous person’s residence or a famous event. Personally, I love walking down the street, noticing a blue plaque and realizing I know about that person or event. For me it is goosebump moment!

Why the blue plaques? And who exactly decides what locations get honored?

The first blue plaques weren’t blue.  Started in 1866 by the Royal Society of the Arts, the plaques were a variety of shapes and were mostly a chocolate brown, which probably made it quite difficult to read from the street.  The first plaque was for Lord Byron, dedicated in 1867. Out of the 35 plaques installed by the society, less than half of them survive, the earliest of which commemorates Napoleon III from 1867.

Thankfully when the London County Council took over the program (or scheme as they call it) in 1901, they decided it would be an added bonus if people could read the signs, so they settled on a lovely blue. The final design with white lettering and white border was made official in 1938. To date, it hasn’t been changed.

Today the program is run by English Heritage. Under their leadership, more than 300 more plaques have been placed in London since 1986.

So then, how does an individual or site get their very own plaque?

In order for an individual be eligible,  they must have been dead for twenty years or have passed the centenary of their birth.  Additionally, according to English Heritage, “Nominated figures must be considered eminent by a majority of members of their own profession; have made an outstanding contribution to human welfare or happiness; have resided in a locality for a significant period, in time or importance, within their life and work; be recognisable to the well-informed passer-by, or deserve national recognition.”

Only one fictional personal has a blue plaque. And that would be the detective himself, Sherlock Holmes. When you visit 221B Baker Street, look up and you’ll see his plaque. Sometimes I do wonder if Holmes was a fictional character!

It is important to note that plaques can only be placed on the actual building inhabited by the individual, not the site where the building once stood. Plus a single person may not be commemorated with more than two plaques nationwide. For example, John Lennon has two plaques – one on his childhood home in Liverpool and a second in London on the former building of Apple Boutique 94 Baker Street.

Today there are nearly 800 plaques throughout London. English Heritage has put the entire listing online, so next time you visit London, you can look for your favorite plaque.

This scheme is also spreading across the country thanks to a pilot program. From 1998-2005 plaques were erected in Liverpool & Merseyside, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Southampton. I hope this program continues for it is a great way to learn about national and local history.

And now a bit of trivia for you:

Stephen Fry is on the Blue Plaques Panel, the group who goes through nominations and decides on who or what gets recognition. (I swear I’m going to keep trying to fit Stephen in all of my posts!)

Anglophile in Exile: Explore History by Following the Blue Plaques is a post from: Anglotopia.net

If you’ve been following my column here on Anglotopia, you know I am batty for all things Beatles. Practically every book, film, video game, you name it, I have devoured it.

Needless to say, my curiously was piqued when I saw that Liverpool Hope University is offering a new Master’s degree in The Beatles. Hailed as the first master’s degree of its kind in the world (obviously!), the program focuses on The Beatles’ music and their influence throughout popular culture and society.  The program consists of four 12-week semesters and will cover topics such as the postwar music industry, influence on politics, fashion and how they were influenced by their hometown of Liverpool. A dissertation is also required.

All of this sounds fantastic, but what good is a Beatles degree? From a history perspective, one would learn about how society changed in post-war Britain and the world.  Musically one could learn how they changed the recording process and pushed the boundaries of instruments and lyrics. Or how their music was the soundtrack to the civil rights movement, women’s rights and the Vietnam War.

But what good would a Beatles Master’s be? According to Mike Brocken, senior lecturer in popular music at Hope University says, “I think any MA equips people with extra study and research skills. MAs of any description are vital for the workplace. You will find that once you have done a master’s degree it separates you from the pack.”

That is a valid point. From what I have read, this program isn’t just sitting on the banks of the River Mersey around listening to Beatles music; there is actual work and thought required.

So what do you think? Would you go for a Beatles Masters? Do you think it is worthwhile?

Anglophile in Exile: All You Need Is… a Beatles Master’s Degree is a post from: Anglotopia.net

If you don’t mind, I’d like to continue my Stephen Fry lovefest for just one more week.

I love QI.

It is hilarious and informative. It can be rude. But it is so fantastically British.

Featuring a panel of celebrities (Alan Davies is a regular, semi-regulars include Jo Brand, Phil Juppitus, Bill Bailey, John Sessions, Rob Brydon), points are awarded based on how interesting an answer is, not necessarily how correct it is. Each season features a letter of the alphabet… for example the next season on the TV will be “G”.

The problem is that Americans are deprived of this show.

Move over Cash in the Attic, Hotel Inspector and Gordon Ramsey (while I love you all), but QI is a show that should be on BBC America.

John Hodgman, aka PC in the Mac commercials, agrees with me. From what I read, Hodgman is a guest in the upcoming season and is now a huge fan of the show. He is outraged that BBC America will not show QI. The man has taken to the streets, pleading his case and wants you to help bring QI to America’s shores.  To hear his reasons why, you need to check out a clip he filmed explaining the QI-awesomeness.

Has anyone here seen QI? What do you think? Should BBC America show it on their station?

For those of you who have never seen it, here is a taste from the BBC’s YouTube page:

Why You Need to See QI According to Me…and John Hodgman is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Writer. Actor. Director. Comedian. Television presenter. Game show host. Twitterer extraordinaire.

National Treasure.

Stephen Fry is all of that and more; a Renaissance Man of our time. A man who’s brilliance knows no boundaries. Some even think of him as our modern Oscar Wilde.

This Monday, Mr. Fry will celebrate his 52nd birthday. To celebrate his wonderful fluffiness, I am sharing some lustrous words about this great man, his works, his humor, and why, you too, should enjoy everything he touches.

A misspent youth found Stephen kicked out of schools, stealing credit cards and gallivanting around the country, only to be arrested and sent to jail. Not exactly a promising start. He finally found a much better path, one that would lead him to Cambridge University. At Cambridge he would become a member of the Footlights where he would meet Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie.

Stephen’s friendship with Hugh would bring them great fame and fortune. Soon Fry & Laurie would be as recognizable as Morecambe and Wise, Moore and Cook. They would become part of Blackadder, with Stephen as Lord Melchett (Blackadder II) and then General Melchett (Blackadder Goes Forth). During this time, A Bit of Fry and Laurie began, providing the boys a medium to write and perform their own material. And what material it was! It was a sketch show with sophisticated wordplay and innuendo, mocking other television shows or British society, among other random topics. From A Bit of Fry and Laurie, they moved on to their beloved Wodehouse and Jeeves & Wooster, with Stephen playing the delightfully dedicated and reasonable butler, Jeeves.

Since then Stephen has shown up in a variety of shows, from Bones to his latest show, Kingdom where he stars as Peter Kingdom, a solicitor in Market Shipborugh. Oh! And how could I forget QI his game show where points are awarded to the most interesting answer, not necessary the correct answer. Entertaining and educational all at once – a dream!

If television isn’t you thing, don’t worry, Stephen has written a book or seven. An autobiography. Several works of fiction. A book on America. Even a primer of the world of poetry!

He has played his hero, Oscar Wilde, in the movie Wilde. He directed his first movie, Bright Young Things, a few years ago. Fry has also made several documentaries, including the Emmy winning Secrets of a Manic Depressive focusing on an illness that greatly affects Stephen, manic depression, or bipolarity. Without any doubt, this is his greatest work and really brought bipolarity and mental illness in general to the masses and raised much needed awareness.

I cannot end my little Stephen Fry love-fest without mentioning Twitter. Forget Ashton Kutcher, Stephen is the king of twitter. He has embraced the medium and in many ways has become the British spokesman for the program – whether he wants to admit to it or not. In every interview, he is always asked about this thing called “twitter” like it is some mysterious entity. If you are on Twitter, he is a must follow – I guarantee you will get you daily British dose!

At the beginning of our time together, I referred to Mr. Fry as a “National Treasure.” In my mind, he is everything a British gentleman should be: well read, hilarious, proud of his Britishness and not afraid to rock the tweed from time to time. He is one of Britain’s greatest attributes and they should consider themselves lucky to call him one of their own.

Whew. I’ve only scratched the surface of our Stephen and I’m already exhausted.

Happy Birthday, Stephen.

Anglophile in Exile: An Ode to Stephen Fry is a post from: Anglotopia.net

It  is one of the most iconic album covers of the 2oth century.

On August 8, 1969, John, Paul, George and Ringo gathered at the crosswalk outside Abbey Road Studios in St. John’s Wood to take their last album cover photo.  Little did they know that with the click of a camera, they just created one of the top tourist spots in London.

Ever since then, droves of tourists visit Abbey Road each year. They pay homage to The Beatles by writing on the usually white wall outside the studio and take their own crosswalk photo. If you have ever been to Abbey Road, you will know that this is actually a very busy street! I have been to Abbey Road twice and each time I’ve seen many people risk their lives for The Photo. Regardless of the weather, someone will take off their shoes to play the Paul role. They’ll walk into the street, stop and pose, tick off all the drivers on the road, and then continue on.  It is quite the sight to see.

If you aren’t in the London area, as most of us aren’t, you can view the Abbey Road webcam. I am watching it as I write this – the place is packed! If I was a local, I’d avoid driving through this area!

Happy Abbey Road Day, everyone!

Anglophile in Exile: It was 40 years ago today… is a post from: Anglotopia.net

I’m not really a fan of football.

But I am a fan of Michael Sheen and British movies.

So that is why I am excited to see The Damned United about Brian Clough’s 44 days as manager of Leeds United. There are so many British movies that we never see here in the States, so I am rather surprised that a movie about a football club would actually reach our shores. I bet the only reason it is set for an American release is due to Michael Sheen, who has become known on our shores thanks to The Queen and Frost & Nixon.

The Damned United is set for a limited US release on September 25th, following a showing at the Toronto Film Festival earlier that month.

Based on a controversial book by the same name, The Damned United follows the brief Leeds managing career of very outspoken and charismatic Brian Clough. Many consider Clough to be the best manager of any football club, not to mention the best manager who never managed the England team. Some former members of the team, along with Clough’s wife, claim some of the events in the book and movie never actually happened and have actually sued due to these errors. This is a case of not letting the truth get in the way of a good story!

Regardless of these issues, I will still go see the movie.  It looks really great and Michael Sheen has yet to let me down.

Anglophile in Exile: Upcoming Movie – The Damned United is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Continuing with the theme of bands with European ruler names, let me introduce you to Leed’s own Kaiser Chiefs.

The Kaiser Chiefs are a fun band. Some of their songs contain social commentary a la The Kinks, but for they really sound like a group of lads who are having a great time. You can tell they love what they do.

Their first album Employment (what a great title for a 1st album, no?!) put them on the music map in 2005. “I Predict a Riot” was the big single from that album. Employment, I think, is a very British album. How many songs do you know that contain the word “thee”?  (“Watching people get lairy/It’s not very pretty I tell thee”) The lyrics are cheeky and laddish.  Other songs on this album include “Modern Way”, “Oh My God” and “Everyday I Love You Less and Less”.

Next up in 2007 came Yours Truly, Angry Mob and found the Kaisers singing about a girl named “Ruby” and commenting on the modern British media and public opinion with “The Angry Mob”.  This album did receive mixed reviews – its a good second album, but it doesn’t show as much growth as it could have.

Off With Their Heads dropped at the end of last summer and continued the theme of very British album titles. Let’s be serious, no American band could pull off an album entitled Off With Their Heads. Personally, this is my favorite album. Produced by the hot producer of our times, Mark Ronson, this album continues to embrace the Britishness, the sense of having a laugh but this time there is a bit more rhythmic swagger. “Never Miss a Beat” was the first single and features this new sound. “Good Days Bad Days” is the perfect walking song – you can just feel the joy and the sunshine radiating out of the song.

The Kaiser Chiefs are currently making their way through the summer festival circuit. I certainly hope they come back to the States soon – I’ll be right there to buy a ticket to their show.  I recommend this group as a fantastic example of modern British music.

Anglophile in Exile: Seeking Employment – Kaiser Chiefs is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Everytime I find myself in London, I always make a point to visit new locations instead of visiting the old standbys. Last June, I found myself with a day and a half in London. By chance I walked by the Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, and noticed that I could go in, tour parts of the building and see the House of Commons in action.

Being a political and history nerd, I had to go in and check it out.

Like visiting our Capitol Building in DC, security is tight and you have to wear a sticker to prove you went through security. As I walked into Westminster Hall, I did not know what to expect.  Built in 1097, Westminster Hall is the oldest part of the complex and served as the backdrop of some of British history’s greatest (and not so greatest) moments.

Walking through the spacious stone walled hall with the grand wooden ceiling, I felt transported back to Medieval times. Statues sit on top of the stone wall and are framed by the windows. Unfortunately, I never took note of who the statues depicted.

Beyond the architecture, I wasn’t overly impressed with the room. That is, until I looked down. Throughout the floor there are placemarks noting what occurred at that particular spot. The amount of history marked in the floor was amazing. My jaw was constantly dropped. You can see where George VI, the Queen Mum and Winston Churchill lied in state. Move along and you see where Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her various jubilees. Closer to the stairs is where I really was taken a back – Markers stating where Charles I and Sir Thomas More were sentenced to death (clearly at two different times in history). Standing where they stood, I tried to think of what the room looked like, the smells, heat, commotion, etc. Little did they know one day this very location would become a tourist spot!

I continued on my way up the stairs to the House of Commons. Security really keeps you moving, so there wasn’t much time to doddle. I was disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to see all of the statues of former Prime Ministers. For some reason, I was really looking forward to seeing the new Margaret Thatcher statue!

To get to the House of Commons, you have to walk up flight of stairs after flight of stars. Along the stair cases there are photos and other historical documents on the wall showing the Palace of Westminster throughout history. Before going into the House of Commons, you have to go thru security again. Finally, just like watching the House of Representatives in action, you walk into a small, glassed in area, and watch the Commons below. Now, I arrived around 4ish, so clearly there weren’t any big debates going on. But there was some action, but no Gordon Brown or David Cameron. No one famous. Regardless, the history buff in me couldn’t help but think of the atmosphere of this room when Churchill was giving one of his great speeches.

I left the House of Parliament filled with history joy. Seeing where so many of the events I read about in history books took place gave me a new perspective and let my imagination run wild with what it must’ve been like. Next time I go back, I’ll take my family there so they, too, can experience what I think is one of the most overlooked locations in London.

Anglophile in Exile: The Day History Totally Blew My Mind is a post from: Anglotopia.net

We all have our lists of things, our bucket list if you will, that we want to accomplish during our lives. For me, attending a music festival in the UK is very high on the list. The Brits love music festivals. These weekend concerts usually involve not only music, but camping, drinking, rain, Wellies, mud, fun and some of today’s best bands all on the same bill.

According to VisitBritain, 250 festivals spanning all types of music were held over the past year. Here is a run down of the popular rock/pop concerts being held this summer.

Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts: In my mind, the festival of all festivals. The one I want to go to before all my favorite bands break up. Glastonbury was first held in 1970 by Michael Eavis, who still runs the fest with his daughter, Emily. Held at the Eavis’ Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset, Glasto is the largest greenfield music and performing arts fest in the world. Not only do they have music acts, but dance, comedy, theatre and cabaret. Anyone who is anyone has played this fest – from Paul McCartney to Coldplay to Radiohead to Oasis to The Smiths, etc. Headlining this year: Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young & Blur.

Reading & Leeds Festival: Held in late August at Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, the Reading & Leeds Festivals are held simultaneously. Apparently, Reading is the world’s oldest popular music festival still in existence, with its roots pointing to the National Jazz Festival started in 1961. The shows migrated from jazz to prog rock, blues and heavy metal in the 1970s. A sudden change to pop saw the festivals struggling in the 80s. But with the advent of Britpop, the festivals started to resurge and by the 2000s they had become one of the top summer attractions.  Headlining this year: Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Artic Monkeys.

V Festival: And by V, yes, we mean Virigin (what isn’t Richard Branson involved in?). Held in August, the V is another simultaneous concert with one show at Hylands Park, Chelmsford & Weston Park, Staffordshire. But unlike Reading & Leeds, the V Festival has only one bill – the line-up that plays Saturday at Hylands Park will play Sunday at Weston Park and vice versa. Started in 1996 when Javis Cocker of Pulp announced that he’d like to play two outdoor venues in two days. Headlining this year: The Killers & Oasis.

T in the Park: Scotland’s big summer party! Held in July at Balado, Kinross-shire. The T stands for the brewing company Tennents. The fest is now 3 days long since ’07. It features seven stages – popular acts to indie/unsigned groups. There is definately something for everyone here. Headlining this year: The Killers, Kings of Leon, Blur, Lily Allen, Snow Patrol.

And there is a taste of this summer’s musical fun. Have you been to a festival? Do you recommend it? Any fun stories out there?

Anglophile in Exile: Rock and roll weekend, anyone? is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Recently the trailer for Guy Ritchie’s new film, Sherlock Holmes, staring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law was released. As a Sherlockian, I am eagerly awaiting its release this Christmas. But after watching this trailer, I think I am going to have to suspend my knowledge of the stories and characters in order to enjoy it.

Robert Downey, Jr., is not Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett – from what I see, he has taken of one literature’s greatest, well, dorks and made him into a quirky action hero. Holmes was a boxer, but as far as I remember, that has never really been protrayed in any of the stories on or off the screen. I’m also happy to see the violin playing gets a shout out! Jude Law looks like Dr. Watson to me and I think he’ll suit the character perfectly. I never really bought that Watson should be some overweight, bumbling doctor.

What do you think? Will this movie be loyal to the stories? Should it be?

Anglophile in Exile: New Sherlock Holmes movie trailer released is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Not only do I love to listen to British music, I am a huge fan of their music magazines. Maybe my Anglophile view on life has clouded my vision, but I really believe their magazines are superior to ours, including Rolling Stone. (And for the record, I am a subscriber to RS.)

There are three major magazines, each with their own personalities:

New Musical Express: Lovingly known as NME, it’s the Granddad of music magazines. It was first published in March 1952 after the well advised merger of Musical Express & Accordion Weekly (that must’ve been a fabulous read!). Taking a page out of our Billboard, NME was the first British paper to include a singles chart, which made its debut in November 1952. NME is published weekly. It is filled with brief articles, tidbits, reviews and a pretty extensive listing of upcoming concerts around the UK. I always think of NME as the musical newspaper. It was once printed on newsprint, but now it has taken up a glossy look.

NME has had its highs and lows over its fifty plus years – it was most successful during the British Invasion, Punk and BritPop eras – but it has always found a way to adapt and change. Their website is a fantastic resource for up-to-date music news and concert announcements. They’ve really embraced the internet world and I think that will continue to contribute to their success.

Random fact: Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders was once a staffer.

Q: Launched in 1986 with Paul McCartney on its cover, Q is very much modeled after Rolling Stone, minus the dose of politics. This monthly magazine really brought higher standards of photography, production and writing to music magazines. Mostly devoted to interviews with artists, Q boasts that they have “The World’s Biggest and Best Music Guide”, featuring reviews of new and reissued releases, along pieces on live shows, books, television and radio programs and movies.

Q also shows a bit of good old British cheek with their “spine messages”. On the spine of the magazine are words or phrases and readers try to figure out how the message relates to what is inside. To date, I have never been able to figure it out – maybe I need to try harder.

The magazine is also known for compiling lists (ie 100 Greatest Albums or 100 Greatest Singers) more than necessary. While seeing the 100 Greatest… every year is a bit annoying, it is fun to see how the lists change and how what is currently popular influences that listing.

I have been a reader of Q for many years now. I find it to be a fantastic magazine, even tho recently it goes thru changes and redesigns more often than not.

Mojo: Now, I find this magazine to be the most quirky out of the three. Started in 1993, its main focus is on classic rock and rock’n roll history, which is why I read Mojo. But while it has one foot in the past, its other foot is firmly in the future with features and reviews on new and indie acts. Each month the magazine comes with a CD related to an article or that month’s theme, another great way to discover new music.

If you want to stay on top of music news or discover new acts, I really recommend checking out any of these magazines. Since we are across the pond, these magazines are a bit pricey, costing up to $10 a piece (I know, but my Anglophile music loving ways know no boundaries.) and can be found at major booksellers.

Anglophile in Exile: Inside the Pages of British Music Magazines is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Music has been invaded by Franz Ferdinand.

No, not the Archduke of Austria, but four guys from Scotland.

Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Bob Hardy and Paul Thompson make up this smartly dressed quartet formed in 2002. You may ask yourself, “Did they really name their band after a historical figure?” Well, yes they did! While watching a race featuring a horse named “The Archduke” a discussion about Franz Ferdinand began and how that would be a great name for a band. Besides the alliteration, they wanted to be a band that would change music, just like Franz Ferdinand’s death changed the world.

Their first single was Take Me Out, released in 2004, and reached #3 on the UK Chart. Their self titled album officially introduced them to the listening public. Franz is the latest addition to the long list of art school rock often found in British music (The Who, Sex Pistols, Blur, etc). Their second album, You Could Have It So Much Better, was released in 2005 to mixed reviews.

I don’t like to dance, but I quickly became a fan of Franz and their beats. It was love at first listen upon hearing Matinee back in ’04 and we’ve never parted. They are more than a great soundtrack for getting ready for a night out (or the actual night out). Maybe its the upbeat rhythms, but it’s great writing and walking music. I recommend you pick up/download their latest, Tonight. Released earlier this year, Tonight is their strongest album. A concept album of sorts, the songs describe a evening of debauchery and the hazy morning after. Even if you aren’t a partier, you can’t help but not to have an extra beat to your step while listening to Tonight.

Anglophile in Exile: Introducing Franz Ferdinand is a post from: Anglotopia.net

What do you get when you take Google Maps and British literature?

A fantastic website marking the location of more than 400 books set in or about London on Google maps!

Running throughout 2008, the Get London Reading campaign encouraged Londoners to make more time in their busy schedules for reading. A part of the campaign was highlighting the impact London had on literature, whether it was a setting, a character or an influence upon an author. The whole map really shows that London is a treasure trove of fantastic stories.

As a fan of British novels, I just love this map. Every neighborhood has more books than you can imagine. Being the Sherlock Holmes fan that I am, the first place I looked was Baker Street… and there he was at 22B! See a book missing from the map? Well, you can add it! This is just such a fantastic resource.

Have a favorite section of the city? Check it out and find another book to add to your must read list!

Happy exploring & reading!

Website: http://www.getlondonreading.co.uk/Books-in-London

Anglophile in Exile: Interactive Literary London is a post from: Anglotopia.net

When you ask most people what comes to them when you mention Henry VIII, two tidbits come to their minds:

1. That whole saga with 8 wives
2. He was a rather, um, portly man.

2009 marks the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s ascension to the throne. Throughout the year, I am sure that we’ll be seeing many documentaries, articles, etc on this charismatic and notorious monarch.

The Tower of London will be celebrating this anniversary with a new exhibit, Henry VIII: Dressed to Kill. Starting in April, the exhibit features Henry’s armor that he used throughout his life. This exhibit also coinsides with the Royal Armouries in Leeds study of this armor and the realization of just how large Henry was by the middle of his life.

Early in life, Henry was Jonathan Rhys Meyers – dashing and athletic. By the end of his life, this 6 ft 1in handsome king had developed a 52 inch waste – making him hardly taller than he was wide!

It is believed that his weight was a reflection of his mental state at the time. The last 15 years of his life saw Henry increasingly ill and showing signs of madness. Sparing you the gory details, he had a condition causing ulcers and possibly had brain damage due to falling off his horse a number of times. Historians theorize that these health issues greatly influenced many of his most dramatic decisions and actions – from the beheading of Thomas Cromwell to his treatment of his various wives.

While we may never know what really caused Henry’s girth or his motives behind some of history’s greatest stories, it is fascinating to see what pieces of metal and medical history can tell us about a human being. It does give one pause to think how history would’ve turned out if he was a sane man who didn’t over indulge and stayed on his horse more often.

Just how round was Henry VIII? is a post from: Anglotopia.net

This month the best of music will be not only be honored at the Grammy’s on Sunday, but at the BRIT Awards on February 18th.  Started in 1977, the BRIT’s, an acronym for British Record Industry Trust, is the British Phonographic Industry‘s annual pop music awards.  Like the Grammy’s, it is a display of music from the past year and until 1989, it was broadcasted live. But after a disastrous show hosted by Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood (really?), it been taped and anything off color or horribly wrong was edited. 2007 saw the show broadcasting live again on ITV. Unlike the Grammy’s and its desire to be an award ceremony for everyone and every musical taste, the BRITS only has 14 categories – 7 for British artists, 3 for international, a Critic’s Choice, Producer’s Award, an Outstanding Contribution to Music.

This year the BRITS will be held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. I hope BBC America will pick it up again. Here is a sampling of categories and nominations.

British Male Solo Artist

• Ian Brown

• James Morrison

• Paul Weller

• Streets

• Will Young

British Female Solo Artist

• Adele

• Beth Rowley

• Duffy

• Estelle

• MIA

British Breakthrough Act

• Adele

• Duffy

• Last Shadow Puppets

• Scouting For Girls

• The Ting Tings

British Group

• Coldplay

• Elbow

• Girls Aloud

• Radiohead

• Take That

British Single

• Adele- Chasing Pavements

• Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah

• Coldplay – Viva La Vida

• Dizzee Rascal/Harris/Chrome – Dance Wiv Me

• Duffy – Mercy

• Estelle Ft. Kanye West – American Boy

• Girls Aloud – The Promise

• Leona Lewis- Better in Time

• Scouting for Girls – Heartbeak

• X Factor Finalists – Hero

MasterCard British Album

• Coldplay – “Viva La Vida“

• Duffy – “Rockferry“

• Elbow – “The Seldom Seen Kid”

• Radiohead – “In Rainbows“

• The Ting Tings – “We Started Nothing”

Critics’ Choice: Florence and The Machine

Outstanding Contribution to Music: Pet Shop Boys

Anglophile in Exile: Inside the Brit Awards is a post from: Anglotopia.net

As mentioned in my introduction a few days ago, I love British music. To kick off my weekly column, I’d like to share with you my top 10 favorites.  

1. The Beatles

Hands down my favorite group of all time, regardless of country. The Lads from Liverpool rocked my early musical world and continue to do so today. Their records are fresh, fun, optimistic and innovative. Need more reasons?

Abbey Road.

The White Album.

Revolver.

2. The Who

Rebellion at its Mod finest. Like The Beatles, I just love how their sound matured and developed. “My Generation” is so raw with that insane drum bashing ending and “Won’t Be Fooled Again” gave us the best scream in the middle of a political song. But most of all, they gave us the Rock Opera. I cannot imagine life without Tommy.

3. Oasis

No one else could sing “tonight I’m a rock’n roll star” on their debut album but Oasis. The attitude, sibling rivalry and flat out plagiarism make them the leaders of Brit Pop. Even their new material finds a home in my mp3 player.

4. Coldplay

Chris Martin might be the most neurotic rock star ever, but the man can write a melody. Their music was the background to my university years. While they do have a reputation for being “soft”, they are anything but chill in concert – musically tight, loud, complete with Chris going from the piano to the guitar and running around like a mad man.

5. The Kinks

Pete Townshend once suggested that Ray Davies is the poet laureate of music. They are the most British of British bands and Davies’ words paint British life and culture better than anyone. “Waterloo Sunset” is The Kinks at their height.

6. Kaiser Chiefs

The boys from Leeds are on a roll this past year. Their new album produced by Mark Ronson is the best album they’ve put out and it is great walking music. I would argue that they are our “modern Kinks” for their sense of Britishness.

7. Dusty Springfield

My favorite female singer. Her range and emotion are second to none. While it isn’t a very British album, Dusty in Memphis belongs in everyone’s collection. It is pure class.

8. Pink Floyd

Dark Side of the Moon is no question the best concept album, but there is so much more to their catalogue than “Money.” Greatly overlooked are their Syd Barrett years with Pipers At the Gate of Dawn. It is great whimsy British psychedelica.    

9. Radiohead

Our most experimental modern band – I have loved watching them change and grow. Some of it I loved (OK Computer), others I’ve loathed (Kid A). They are sonically one of the most interesting bands making music today.

10. The Rolling Stones

How can you not love the Stones? A group with timeless songs and Keith Richards – what more do you want?

So there they are – my top 10 British Bands. Do you have a top 10?

Anglophile in Exile: My Top 10 Favorite British Bands is a post from: Anglotopia.net