Name: PRS by Joe Atkinson 5
Duration: 4 min 7 s
Description: A riff that evolved from A maj 7, this is a nice take recorded on Fostex 260 to cassette with Alesis SR16 from about 1994. Old school.

A riff that evolved from A maj 7, this is a nice take recorded on Fostex 260 to cassette with Alesis SR16 from about 1994. Old school. 

Bill Mitchell: The Man Who Wrestled Pumas...Probably
Broadcast on BBC Radio 4
Thursday 18 June 2009 11:30-12:00

Miriam Margolyes presents a documentary charting the life and career of her late colleague and friend Bill Mitchell, the voice-over artist who informed us the latest blockbusters would be 'at cinemas near you from Sunday', told us 'Carlsberg was probably the best lager in the world', and that Denim was 'for men who didn't have to try too hard'.

Born in Canada, Mitchell apparently developed his trademark voice either as a result of suffering mumps as a child or by falling from a tree and damaging his windpipe. He admitted that the heavy drinking and smoking which began in his teens helped preserve his voice and drove his excessive lifestyle. He 'had to' abuse his body to maintain the voice and he 'had to' be in a Soho pub because it was handy for the recording studios.

Mitchell's voiceover career began in the late Sixties with a recommendation by Patrick Allen, the then undisputed voiceover king, and a Pan Am advert showcasing Mitchell's Orson Welles impression. This impression ultimately mutated into his trademark sound.

Bill's career spanned acting, voice-over work, plus a brief spell as 1970s pop outfit Yin and Yan with friend Chris Sandford. Mitchell died in August 1997 but his name remains ranked as one of the greats within the advertising industry, with his voice still impersonated by other artists today.

The programme features contributions from: musicians Zoot Money and Kenny Clayton; fellow voiceover and creative Chris Sandford; industry moguls Nick Angell and Rob Townsend; and Bill's daughter, Amanda McAllister.

Presenter/Miriam Margolyes, Producer/Paul Hardy

captured from iPlayer, 128kbps 44Khz, runtime 28:12 

Bill Mitchell - The Man Who Wrestled Pumas...Probably

Mad about trees, my wife and children, and guitars

PRS

Joe Atkinson 5

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