Kate Bush on Front Row: The Presenter's Cut
Post categories: Front Row,ÌýJohn Wilson,ÌýKate Bush,Ìýinterview
16:00, Thursday, 5 May 2011
You won't catch her on the television chat show circuit. She won't be touring the radio studios to plug the new album. And as for a concert, forget it. So I'm slightly thrown when my mobile rings, flashing up 'private number', and a vaguely familiar voice says "Hello John, it's Kate Bush here".
In 2005 ago she broke a 12 year silence when she spoke to me on Front Row about her album Ariel. Now Britain's most successful solo female artist is on the line with a suggestion: "Would you like to come down to my house to talk about the new record?"
I didn't take much persuading and, last week, headed to rural Berkshire. Kate was charming, funny and hospitable. She has a beautiful home, a large Georgian property shielded from the outside world by mature trees and wooden gates. She guards her privacy fiercely.
We drank tea and chatted about gardening, our kids and art. Then we sat together on a plump sofa in the sitting room and - with the digital recorder rolling - discussed her re-return to the public eye. The new record Director's Cut re-works tracks from two previous albums, The Sensual World (1989) and The Red Shoes (1993), to create something new, warm and intimate.
Within moments of the edited version of the interview being broadcast on Wednesday's Front Row it was clear - - that the legions of Kate Bush fans wanted more. So here's a slightly longer version of our conversation, minus the music which I mixed in for the live broadcast. I know for some Kate Bush fans it still won't be enough, that they'll want to hear every pause, evasion, stone-wall response from the interviewee. But, trust me, in this case, less is more...
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit Ö÷²¥´óÐã Webwise for full instructions
John Wilson has worked as a presenter and reporter on Front Row since it started in 1998
- Follow and on Twitter.
- The interview with Kate Bush from the broadcast programme can be heard here.
Comment number 1.
At 5th May 2011, KeithC wrote:Syd Barrett recorded a song called "Golden Hair" based on Joyce's "Poem V". It was released on Barrett's first solo album, "The Madcap Laughs". See
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 5th May 2011, whitehorsehill wrote:There is a full reconstruction of Kate's 1979 (and only) tour - see it and you'll probably go on hunger strike to demand that she does another:
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 6th May 2011, Lawrence Jones wrote:Message 2
"see it and you'll probably go on hunger strike to demand that she does another"
And sing this gorgeous song:
The lyrics suggest that Ms. Bush listens to Radio 4 – well occasionally. On the late Mr. Barrett, I’d love to hear Ms. Bush sing ‘Flaming’.
It would be good to hear more features on either WH or FR relating to Female musicians (dead or alive) – Emily Remler, Judee Sill, Christina McKenzie, Celia Humphris Maggie Bell, Judy Dyble, Bridget St. John. ‘Fly High’ is available on Youtube in case there are any other fans of Ms. St. John out there. (. ‘The Oyster and The Flying Fish’ is also on Youtube (
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 6th May 2011, VioletaB wrote:I mistakenly opened two YouTube windows at the same time and was suprised that hearing two tracks at slightly different timings really enhanced the song. It was a bit like the vibrations coming from the computer screen. If Kates reading, a consideration perhaps?
Ok, I am a true fan, apologies for my enthusiasm
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 6th May 2011, duckpond wrote:John Wilson, you lucky man! Kate Bush is a lovely character.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 6th May 2011, Russ wrote:Kate Bush can be infuriatingly evasive and unforthcoming sometimes, so congratulations, John, on being gently persistent in trying to cover most of the bases in your interview.
Russ
P.S. Is the ‘Ariel’ 2005 interview in the Front Row archives?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 7th May 2011, PorphyriasLover wrote:So good. 'They sound a bit bonemealy'.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 8th May 2011, aviddiva wrote:Laurence, thanks for your comments about Judy Dyble and Bridget St. John! Both have been featured on Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone on 6 Music as has Judee Sill.
Strangely enough, Graeme Thompson compared Kate Bush's 'Passing Through Air' to Judee Sill in the 'Under The Ivy' book.
John, thanks for including all of the KB interview here.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 10th May 2011, Paul Murphy wrote:#6 Hi Russ,
The Ariel interview's not in the archive but I'll see what can be done.
Thanks Paul
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 10th May 2011, Kelloggs wrote:Well done to John for getting Ms Bush out of her shell. I really enjoyed the piece, excellent radio.
Thanks
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 12th May 2011, Lawrence Jones wrote:Replying to Aviddiva (message 8)
Thanks for the response Aviddiva. Unfortunately I stopped listening to any of SM’s programmes after ‘The Critical List’ failed to make any contribution – or express any interest – in its messageboard (just like Radio 4 and the lack of interest expressed by the station in its messageboards). The board had an outstanding host – Mick – who was always informing the programme of interesting musical discussions. The Critical List couldn’t even be bother acknowledging our suggestions for The Featured Album when broadcast on the proramme (e.g. Terry Reid’s ‘River’).
P.S. Thinking about your Judy Dyble reference, I wonder what Ms. Bush would sound like singing this:
Or what about The Incredible String Band’s ‘Darling Belle’. Not sure which male singer could accompany her :)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 13th May 2011, philocleanthes wrote:Add your comment!
And I'm sure John, Kate had you at the head of her queque-none of that disconsolate shoe shuffling behind the lucky guy.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)