Haunted Topography is a meditation on a story told to me by Moe Armstrong in the summer of 2011. Moe is the founder of the veteran rehabilitation program Vet2Vet. It was in this capacity that he met a woman whose son had been killed in Vietnam. Even decades after the loss, this mother could not even begin to move past the pain. In speaking with Moe, it came out that, though she had asked, no one had ever shown her a map of where it had happened. She felt that she needed to know this—to see the place where her son had been killed—before her healing process could begin. Moe showed her, and it helped her to begin to heal.

It is a simple story, of course, but it says a lot about the nature of grief, of mortality and of the peculiarities of each individual’s needs while engaging with the healing process.

Originally commissioned by Alarm Will Sound, the sinfonietta version of haunted topography received its world premiere on October 21, 2011 at Roulette as part of the 2011 SONiC Festival. The orchestral version of the work was commissioned by Christopher James Lees, who premiered the work at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, on October 18, 2013.

-David T. Little, August 23, 2013

INSTRUMENTATION

2 Flutes (2nd doubling Piccolo)
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets in Bb (both doubling Bass Clarinet) 
2 Bassoons (2nd doubling Contrabassoon)

2 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in C 
Tenor Trombone 
Bass Trombone
Tuba 

Timpani
3 Percussion

Piano 

Strings

FOR PROMOTION ONLY. NOT FOR BROADCAST.

Haunted Topography (orchestral version, 2013)

Eljoee X Chaama - Bent Sultan "شاما - "بنت السلطان (MP3_320K).mp3

Clouds

Find Your Flame

Reach My Soul

On today’s show we’ll explore the creative mind through my regular series, the Creatives. In this episode we’ll explore some wonderful Frome talent. I’ve long advocated for my adopted home town of Frome; there’s such a wealth of talent here, and it’s hard not to suspect that there’s something in the air – or in the water – reaching out to find those creatively inclined and influencing their creative longings. Topics and playlist below.
IMAGE: Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting by Artemisia Gentileschi.

Topics
1.	Interview with Frome’s latest eatery: Inoshishi
2.	Amanda Relph reads Mad About Words by Crysse Morrison
3.	Keeping Up with the Johnsons
4.	Art is a Joke! 

Playlist 
1.	Buscabulla: Vámono 
2.	Atarashii Gakko: Tokyo Calling
3.	Haruomi Hosono: Sportsman
4.	Creepy Nuts: Bling-Bang-Bang-Born
5.	Topaz Jones: Tropicana
6.	Dana Gavanski: Catch
7.	Big Data: Dangerous
8.	The Apollos: Rockin' Horses
9.	This is the Kit: Bashed Out
10.	The Beths: Future Me Hates Me
11.	Art and Dotty Todd: Joie de Vivre
12.	Daniel Nogren: Howling Around My Happy Home
13.	Oscar Toney, Jr.: You Can Lead Your Woman to The Altar
14.	The Johnsons: I Like Trains
15.	The Johnsons: Okie
16.	The Johnsons: White Freightliner Blues
17.	Brian Protheroe: Pinball
18.	The The: Uncertain Smile
19.	Jasmin: Baby Blue
20.	Girlschool: C’mon Let’s Go
21.	Redskins: Keep On Keeping On
22.	Adrianne Lenker: Fool
23.	The Impressions: People Get Ready
24.	The Skyliners: Since I Don’t Have You 
25.	The Walters: I Love You So

Episode 223 - The Creatives - Frome's Got Talent Part 1

On today’s show we’ll meander through a random set of music, as in random music I like. You may think it’s cheating or lazy that there’s no theme, but actually random things is a great theme in my opinion. How many times does something seemingly random happen in your life and it turns out to be an important event? For me, a perfect example of this is mining YouTube, Spotify and Bandcamp for random music and discovering hitherto unknown musical gems. I don’t know what I’m looking for, I just start to browse and acts come up in the feed. It’s arbitrary and random, but it’s a great way to search for new music as it isn’t constricted by your taste. You have to have an open mind and sometimes you have to listen to a song a few times.

I'll also chat with author, Ruth Stacey, on her memoir ‘Everyone is here to help – a healing account of postpartum psychosis and recovery’ and I'll tell the fascinating tale of love on the gallows. Playlist below and links below.
https://silkmillstudios.co.uk/.../everyone-is-here-to.../
https://www.app-network.org/
https://www.ensemblepublishing.org/

IMAGE: A publicity photo taken about 40 years ago suggesting a use for the velocipede as a commuter vehicle during a rail strike.

Topics
1.	Interview with author, Ruth Stacey, on Postpartum Psychosis
2.	Love on the Gallows: The tale of Helen Blackwood and Hans McFarlane

Playlist 
1.	The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Take Five
2.	Richard Hawley: Tonight, the Streets are Ours
3.	Small Faces: Itchycoo Park
4.	Pulp: Last Day of the Miner’s Strike
5.	Torchsong: Alva, Now and Then
6.	oceanfromtheblue: 25
7.	Half Moon Run: Full Circle
8.	Marina Satti: Yiati Pouli M
9.	Sopico: Nuage
10.	Immaculate Fools: Immaculate Fools
11.	Michael Bierylo: Life Line
12.	Darondo: Didn’t I
13.	Henry Thomas: Bull Doze Blues
14.	Stuart Foster w/Tommy Dorsey: None but the Lonely Heart
15.	Anne Lloyd & Dan Ocko: Second Star to the Right
16.	The Sherlocks: Now and Then
17.	Voyage: Tanz Des Kelim
18.	Pattie Brooks: Close Enough for Love
19.	Shuggie Otis: Strawberry Letter 23 
20.	Randy Travis: Forever and Ever, Amen
21.	Sinnober: Successful

Episode 227 – Riding The Random Rails

“4 Stars - Q Recommends”
- Q magazine

From the album Strange Part of the Country:

w/ Grammy-winner Tchad Blake (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello), and bass legend Danny Thompson (Robert Plant, Nick Drake)

"One of the most original artists out there"
- Blues Matters magazine

Time Settles - Lyrics: 

And the decision made a hole, a vacancy in a vital inner chamber in my bones
This is what finally separated me from all my friends for whom I became skeletal

Time settles over me
Time settles over me 

And then the places I visit became the same inside world that I thought I was in
And like a fly scribbling the air I know neither the place nor what the hour is

Time settles over me
Time settles over me

And I, far off inside, was old

And now the years are closing in, each minute the last minute and following me

Time Settles

On today’s show a panel of esteemed guests and I will act as judge and jury on a selection of songs. Once again, I’ve mined the rabbit hole that is YouTube, Bandcamp and Spotify to bring you a selection of songs for your consideration. Although the show is rather alarmingly called Trash or Treasure, I don’t really subscribe to the concept of trash; sometimes a song just isn’t your thing and that’s OK, but remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. On today’s panel is Jennifer Garner, Julian Crawley, Angus Crawley and Tim Hardy. Playlist below.

Playlist
1.	Alex Pester: I See You 
2.	Eljoee ft. Chaama: Bent Sultan
3.	Céline Minkyung Park: North Korean Hiphop
4.	Lio & Jacky: Tétéou
5.	Steven Seagal: Goree
6.	Lonely Boys: Murray Island
7.	Los Saicos: Demolición
8.	Buzz Goertzen: Let's Make a Joyful Noise
9.	Wardell Gray Quartet: Twisted
10.	Glow Curve: Invisible History
11.	Emmerson: No Stress
12.	Buckstone Hardware: Pack It In
13.	Tesfa Maryam Kidane: Heywete

Episode 231 - Teach Me Trash Or Treasure

On today’s show we’ll explore political protest in song. Topics and playlist below.

Topics:
1.	Jaron Lanier and his work on social media
2.	Mayday Saxonvale: Frome’s Fight for a New-Build on its Terms 

Playlist:
1)	Bob Dylan: Political World
2)	Public Enemy: Fight The Power
3)	CCR: Fortunate Son
4)	Grandmaster Flash: The Message 
5)	Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino: This Is America
6)	Barry McGuire: Eve of Destruction
7)	Peter Gabrielle: BIKO
8)	Phil Ochs: I Ain’t Marching Anymore
9)	Bushy One String: Life Is for Everyman 
10)	R.E.M.: Ignoreland
11)	The Specials: Nelson Mandela 
12)	Sham 69: If the Kids Are United
13)	Tom Robinson: Sing If You’re Glad to Be Gay 
14)	Nina Simone: Mississippi Goddam 
15)	Stevie Wonder: Living for the City 
16)	Bob Marley: Redemption Song
17)	The Cranberries: Zombie 
18)	Sonic Youth: Youth Against Fascism 
19)	The Byrds: Draft Morning 
20)	Neil Young: Rockin’ in the Free World

Episode 236 – Up The People Political Protest In Song

On today’s show we’ll explore the art of conversation. I’ll be joined by actor and voice talent, Michael Hoskinson, as we explore various topics in a random set of questions. Playlist below. 

IMAGE: Actor & voice talent, Michael Hoskinson

Topics:
1.	The Art of Conversation 
2.	Interview with Michael Hoskinson

Playlist: 
1.	Stevie Wonder: For Once in My Life
2.	Talk Talk: Life’s What You Make It
3.	Noah and the Whale with L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N
4.	David Bowie: Life on Mars 
5.	The Dream Academy: Life in a Northern Town
6.	Belters Only, Sonny Fodera, Jazzy: Life Lessons
7.	Love the System: Nice Life
8.	Spice Girls: Spice Up Your Life
9.	Shirley Bassey: This is My Life
10.	Micky: This is The Life 
11.	American Authors: Best day of My Life
12.	Art Music: Your Life
13.	Banderas: This is Your Life
14.	English Teacher: The Best Tears of Your Life
15.	Gibson Brothers: Oh, What a Life
16.	Bruce Springsteen: this Life
17.	Chris Standing: This Life
18.	The Sh-Booms: Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)

Episode 237 - This Life With Michael Hoskinson

On today’s show we’ll explore the ideas behind the idiom “Don't count your chickens before they hatch” and the various meanings around the phrase. Topics and playlist below. 
IMAGE: "Walking in the Tailwind" by Naomi Gray.

Topics
1.	Don’t Count Them Chickens!
2.	The Fat Lady Sings
3.	High Rollers & High Stakes Risk 
4.	Time to Slow Down
5.	The Waiting Game: The Role of a Lady-in-Waiting 
6.	They Counted Right: People Who Were Completely Right but Were Ignored

Playlist
1.	Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five: Ain’t Nobody Here but Us Chickens
2.	The Watersons: Chickens in the Garden
3.	Dead Kennedys: Chickenshit Conformist
4.	Emily Ann Roberts: Chickens
5.	Richie Kavanagh: Chicken Talk
6.	CHICKENN: Hey
7.	Chickenshed: I Am in Love with the World
8.	Joe Louis Walker: Count Your Chickens
9.	George Formby: Count Your Blessings and Smile
10.	The Velvet Underground: I’m Waiting for the Man
11.	The Beach Boys: I’m Waiting for the Day 
12.	Bob Marley & the Wailers: Waiting in Vain
13.	Jo Nichols: I’m Waiting for Tomorrow
14.	Pink Martini, Meow Meow: I’m Waiting for You to Come
15.	Neil Young: Don’t Let it Bring You Down
16.	Alaaska, Cocoon: Don’t Rush
17.	Tegan and Sara: Don’t Rush
18.	George Ezra: Don’t Give Up
19.	The Breath: Don’t Rush It
20.	Kings of Leon: Wait For Me
21.	Anais Mitchell, Justin Vernon: Wait For Me
22.	Muyei Power: Be Patient
23.	Loverground: Be Patient
24.	Omori: Remember to be Patient 
25.	Last Dinosaurs: Wait Your Turn
26.	Salute: Wait For It
27.	Alex Isley, Jack Dine: Wait
28.	Anvil: Don’t Count on Me
29.	Indigo Mango: Don’t Count on It
30.	Sandie Shaw: Don’t You Count on It


Episode 257 - Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Variations on a Theme with Eleanor Talbot is a weekly 2 hour show that focuses on themes such as “Coming of Age”, “Mad Scientists”, “Cats & Dogs” and “The Call of the Sea” - there’s always a story for a song. 

Each show features an eclectic selection of music from many different genres; musically speaking, I have no boundaries and like to explore pieces from places outside my community and country as well as championing local talent. In-between music sets are stories, facts and guest interviews pertaining to the theme. I try to curate music that is not generally Top-40 preferring to look to alternative and independent artists and to the greats of the past as well as mining YouTube, Bandcamp or Soundcloud for the weird and wonderful. It's often a trip down the "rabbit hole" as you never know what I will play next.

Episode 257 - Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Eleanor Talbot: Variations on a Theme

Related tracks