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Max Brearley's avatar

Loving the playlist Mark. There's so much to dive into here. Spotify rabbit holes here I come. Hill Street Blues is surely still one of the best cop shows ever, with a cracking theme to boot. I'm also reminded of the Theme from Taxi.

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Mark Diacono's avatar

I couldn't agree more on both counts. A good theme tune is a terrible incitement to youtube wormholes!

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Siobhan Appleton's avatar

The theme tune to Taxi is now my weekend earworm. That’s no bad thing. Can I get sweet revenge with the theme tune for The Rockford Files?

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Mark Diacono's avatar

A childhood favourite

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Jo Thompson's avatar

.... also, ‘everywhere I went led me to where I didn’t want to be’

That piece is MAGICAL - thanks so much for sharing it. And good for him to name his inspiration (Bach in this case) - I’m firm believer in credit where credit’s due

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Mark Diacono's avatar

Isn't it the best thing! I'm so glad you liked it. And yes, like you I love it when someone says what led them to where...there is always credit to give and it somehow adds to the magic

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Jo Thompson's avatar

Mark it’s honestly such a treat to receive your missives - properly a highlight! Thank you.

George Sunders is utterly brilliant and I can’t believe I didn’t know about him pre-substack...

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Mark Diacono's avatar

Thank you - that's made my day. Very much reciprocated with yours. I can't believe I didn't know if him. You put me on to him on here and then in one of those excellent coincidences I saw someone reading his book in a cafe and asked what he thought of it...and he loved it...as I am. It's SO good. Thank you for the introduction

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Diana Morgan's avatar

Fond memories of seeing S&G at the Royal Albert Hall in 1970!

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Mark Diacono's avatar

I’m seriously envious!

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Ken Noakes's avatar

Music as a constant companion is something that I can relate to, Mark. The sounds tend to vary depending on the activity and range across the genres. I even have playlists that I use for specific functions like kneading bread. Starting off quite slowly, the rhythms pick up as the gluten develops, and the speed of the slap and fold increases.

The theme tune for Hill Street Blues brought back memories for me, too, but I find myself struggling to think of any that stand out at the moment. One that does leap to mind is 'Hollow Talk', the theme to 'The Bridge'. It really sets the tone and is a particular favourite, much like Emily Barker's adaptation of 'Nostalgia' for the Wallander series, says he heading off to pick up a Henning Mankell novel...

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Mark Diacono's avatar

I'm just listening to Hollow Talk - it's new to me - but I can imagine how it might complement The Bridge (from what i know of it) sop it becomes part of it. The theme to Succession is another I can't separate from the series. And I love the idea of a playlist for a process or task! Thanks Ken

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Siobhan Appleton's avatar

That Paul Simon interview had me both transfixed and beaming. Magic. He’s odd. We’re all odd, but he’s a genius as well.

Thanks for sharing.

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Mark Diacono's avatar

He really is isn't he. You might like this one too...where he's written some of Still Crazy but doesn't know where to take it. What a song, and so good to hear it part-written https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjtOa8d_BHU

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Maggie's avatar

Ooh - riches!

Skip a Paul Simon interview - no way!

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Mark Diacono's avatar

ha ha, I'm very glad you like it

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