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Ivor Cutler at 90

'I have a harmonium and it's going to explode in two minutes.' Celebrating the deceptively quiet wordsmith. From 2013.

The deceptively quiet wordsmith was born on 15th January 1923 near the Rangers ground at Ibrox Park in Glasgow.

"I have a harmonium and it's going to explode in two minutes", were the opening words spoken on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1's Andy Kershaw Show in 1980 by a gentle voiced Scotsman called Ivor Cutler.

Championed by everyone from the Beatles to Billy Connolly, Ivor Cutler was a poet, humourist and absurdist whose appearances on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio and TV span over 5 decades. As well as producing a vast body of records, books and plays, Ivor was a notable eccentric, often seen cycling around London in plus fours, handing out homemade stickers and badges to strangers.

To mark what would have been Ivor's 90th birthday in 2013, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 held a 'party', to celebrate his life and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ archive in particular, with a full house, with performers, fans, collaborators and even his long-term partner, Phyllis King, introducing their favourite poems, songs and memories of Ivor. Weirdness from the archives, pleasure for fans, and a singular introduction to those encountering him for the very first time.

Highlights include Bramwell and King re-enacting a morse code performance of "The Little Black Buzzer".

Presenter David Bramwell is a writer and musician. He is the founder of the "Catalyst Club"; a place for enthusiasts to speak on any subject close to their heart. Ivor Cutler is a subject close to his, having kept correspondence with him in the 1980's.

Ivor died aged 83 in 2006.

Producer: Sara Jane Hall

First broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in August 2013.

Available now

1 hour

Last on

Sun 15 Jan 2023 05:00

Music Played

  • The Monkees

    Mary, Mary

    • RCA/Victor.

Broadcasts

  • Sat 10 Aug 2013 20:00
  • Sat 7 Feb 2015 08:00
  • Sat 7 Feb 2015 15:00
  • Sun 8 Feb 2015 01:00
  • Thu 23 Mar 2017 01:00
  • Sat 4 Aug 2018 08:00
  • Sat 4 Aug 2018 15:00
  • Sun 5 Aug 2018 03:00
  • Sat 14 Jan 2023 10:00
  • Sat 14 Jan 2023 15:00
  • Sat 14 Jan 2023 21:00
  • Sun 15 Jan 2023 05:00

Ivor Cutler: A centenary tribute

Ivor Cutler: A centenary tribute

A collection of programmes with the extraordinary Scottish poet, performer and humorist.