Category Archives: Peter James

The Authors, The Books, The Interviews

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Glyn Johns
Lynsey Addario
Fraser McAlpine
Peter James
Stephen Witt
Rebecca Scherm
John Byrne Cooke
Jowita Bydlowska
Tim Dowling
Jeffrey Kluger
Tana French
Tracy Slater
Antoine Wilson
Paul Greenberg
Mark Haskell Smith
Nicholson Baker
Erin Arvedlund
Shira Tarrant
Patrick O’Neil
Masha Gessen

                 

           

          

           

           

           

Books are an integral part of Life Elsewhere. All kinds of books: the imaginative, off-kilter novel; the gripping detective drama; the investigative documentary; the revealing autobiography; the anecdotal memoir; the unapologetic satire…every type of book is welcome. There’s just one stipulation, Life Elsewhere host, Norman B has to read the book first before he talks about it on air. Which explains why his insightful, conversational interviews are praised by authors and listeners alike.

Above are just some of the books and authors featured in the past year on Life Elsewhere. See if you can match the author’s photograph with their book?

Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3  
Mondays 7.00pm ET at WROM Radio
Mondays 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Wreckless Eric, Peter James & Syd Matters

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“Any fool can have ideas. It’s what you do with them that matters. Ian Dury gave me that gem of advice”.

Wreckless Eric - Whole Wide World

In Part Two of Norman B’s exclusive interview with Wreckless Eric, the man who penned Whole Wide World recalls his early days of being thrust into the limelight and discovering not everyone had an appreciation of culture, like he did. Eric was surprised by the deliberate reverse snobbery permeating the music world in the late 70’s, the 80’s and even up until today. He found a kindred spirit with the gifted Ian Dury, who became a mentor, advocate and friend. Wreckless Eric speaks passionately as he tells his story, but always with a healthy dollop of humor.

Dry wit, also figures into our conversation with Peter James, the best-selling and acclaimed author. Norman B invited Peter to give us his overview on the outcome of the recent UK election. Peter James a well-qualified and keen observer of life in the UK and America offers an interesting analysis of how the polls could have been so wrong and what the results mean to American and the rest of the world. When asked who the Brits would prefer to see next in the Whitehouse, Peter James replies, “Hilary! We’re afraid of some nutter getting in with a finger on the button! We need someone moderate, who understands the world!”

Also in the program, the Hit that Never Was, selected by a listener who asks for her request to be dedicated to her partner, currently working with a UN education team in Afghanistan. Her request is a beautiful song, My Lover’s On The Pier from French act Syd Matters.

Life Elsewhere airs Sunday, May 17 at 12 noon ET on The Source WMNF HD3 and Monday, May 18 at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Making Sense Of The UK Election Results

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No pollster, no pundit, no political leader saw it coming – not even Prime Minister, David Cameron himself. Only once before in recent history has an incumbent government increased its majority – and that was Mrs Thatcher in her prime in the 1980s.

The United Kingdom general election of 2015 was held on 7 May 2015 to elect the 56th Parliament of the United Kingdom. Voting took place in all 650 parliamentary constituencies of the United Kingdom, each electing one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons, the lower house of Parliament. Local elections took place in most of England on the same day, excluding Greater London. It was the first general election to be held at the end of a fixed term parliament following the enactment of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011. The election campaign was overshadowed by speculation that the outcome would be too close to call and would result in another hung parliament, similar to the aftermath of the 2010 general election. This led to many pollsters and media commentators dubbing the election the most unpredictable for decades. Opinion polls were eventually proven to have drastically underestimated the Conservative vote, which bore similarity to their surprise victory in the general election of 1992. The incumbent Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, having governed since 2010 in a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, was elected for a second term with 36.9% of the vote and 331 seats.

Peter James

But what does the outcome mean to the rest of the world? How do we fathom the almost Monty Pythonesque array of parties, including the “Respect Party” led the ubiquitous George Galloway? To help us make sense of politics in Blighty, noted crime-writer and keen social observer, Peter James will join the program to explain the anomalies of UK government and politics.

Life Elsewhere airs every Sunday at 12 noon ET on The Source WMNF HD3 and Mondays at 5.00pm PT at NWCZ Radio

Sandra Block. Peter James. Bibi Bourelly. Lonesome Ghost.

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Next on Life Elsewhere, we’ll explore the work of mystery writers, Sandra Block and Peter James. Norman B will introduce music from Bibi Bourelly, a new artist, he believes will have a big hit. And, talking of hits, this week’s Hit That Never Was features Lonesome Ghost.

Little Black Lies is the debut novel from practicing neurologist, Sandra Block who centers her gripping mystery novel around Zoe, a doctor with ADHD. A new patient arrives, a beautiful sociopath who murdered her mother, Zoe becomes obsessed with questions about her own mother’s death. But the truth remains tauntingly out of reach. As Zoe digs deeper, she realizes that the danger is not just in her dreams but is now close at hand. Little Black Lies is about madness and memory and the dangerous lies we tell just to survive. Norman B explores this fascinating book and the ramifications of mental illness, doctors and lies.

The juxtaposition between real and crime-thriller police are discussed with bestselling mystery author Peter James who will talk about his book, Want You Dead, the tenth in the Roy Grace detective-thriller series. James offers thought-provoking observations about police procedures, criminal minds and the more innocent times of Dixon of Dock Green. Be sure not to miss the early part of the interview when Peter James and Norman B share their respective experiences with stalkers!

Bibi Bourelly, the 20 year-old who penned Rihanna‘s Bitch Better Have My Money and Higher, releases her own single, Riot. “I want to give people the truth because a lot of people aren’t so authentic”. Says Bibi, and this comes across in her voice and music confirms Norman B, who adds, “Bibi is going to be a BIG hit!” Let us know if you agree with Mr. B, send your comments to normanb [at] life elsewhere [dot] co.

This week’s Hit That Never Was is by Lonesome Ghost, from Dallas, TX. The plaintive and memorable, My Dear available on the EP titled, None of These Songs Are About You Or Anyone You Know was released in 2011. A perfect example of a Hit That Never Was, says Norman B and suggests that you send your selection to hitthatneverwas [at] lifeelsewhere [dot] co.

This will be a must-listen to show, make sure you tune in at 12 noon ET, Sunday, April 19 at The Source, WMNF HD3 and 5.00pm PT, Monday, April 20 at NWCZ Radio

Life Elsewhere is now available at Soundcloud

“Evening All”

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hi001263351.jpgFrom 1955 to 1976, each episode began with the genial London bobby, effecting a modest salute as he said, “Evening All”. That opening line became a British household phrase, which lives on to this day as a jocular greeting. It was the BBC TV series, Dixon of Dock Green,  supposedly about daily life at a London police station, with the emphasis on petty crime, successfully controlled through common sense and human understanding. The central character was a mature and sympathetic police constable, George Dixon, played by Jack Warner in all of the 432 episodes. The policeman portrayed in Dixon is a far cry from fictional or real-life officers of the law today. The juxtaposition between real and crime-thriller police are discussed in the next edition of Life Elsewhere. Bestselling author Peter DixonJames joins host, Norman B to talk about his latest book, the tenth in the Roy Grace detective-thriller series. James offers thought-provoking observations about police procedures, criminal minds and the more innocent times of Dixon of Dock Green. Be sure not to miss the early part of the interview when Peter James and Norman B share their respective experiences with stalkers!

Lizzy Mercier DesclouxThis week’s Hit That Never Was features French No Wave cult artist, Lizzy Mercier Descloux with her cover of Arthur Brown’s Fire. The musician, singer-songwriter, composer, actress, writer and painter, became involved in the Punk and New Wave, met with up Patti Smith and Richard Hell when visiting New York in 1975. She moved to New York 1977 and became a name in the No Wave movement. Despite being bankrolled at one time by Island Records’ Chris Blackwell, she never really had much success in the US and moved back to France. In the mid 90’s she moved to Corsica and devoted herself to painting and to writing an unpublished novel. In 2003, she was diagnosed with cancer, from which she died the following year. Fire is from her 1979 album Press Color, but you can also find it on a 2003 reissue featuring tracks from others sessions.

Its Holiday time, so what better than a brand new song for the season?Lola Dutronic are a multi-lingual Electro Pop duo consisting of Toronto-based producer/composer Richard Citroen and Dusseldorf-based vocalist Stephanie B. Their latest single “The Christmas Disco” is a teaser from their new album “Lost In Translation” which will be released in the Spring of 2015. 

Lydia Ainsworth
Barzin

Also in the program, Norman B selects two music choices he thinks are worthy of making a Best of List. First up, Lydia Ainsworth with a version of a song covered by so many people, Chris Isaak’s, Wicked Game. Hailing from Canada, Ainsworth‘s album Right From Realwould make a fine Holiday gift. Coincidentally, so would the latest album from our other north-of-the-border favorite, the talented and charming Barzin with his excellent Something I Have Not Done Is Following Me. We encourage you to start your Monday with the very best in Art, Media & Culture: Life Elsewhere. And, if you happen to miss the program live, you can go to Stitcher to hear the Podcast.

Life Elsewhere airs Monday at 9.00am ET 

WMNF 88.5fm

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