Main content

Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy

Tom Ravenscroft invites guests to Peel Acres: the home of John Peel's music collection.

DJ and audiophile Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy is the latest guest to Peel Acres, helping Tom Ravenscroft make sense of his dad, John Peel’s legendary record collection. Originally from Massachusetts, Colleen started her radio career at just 14-years-old and is the founder of listening event, Classic Album Sundays.

Track 1: Life on Mars? - David Bowie (from Hunky Dory)
Colleen wastes no time in tracking down her favourite David Bowie album - with an original press release hidden in the sleeve. Bowie had been commissioned to write English lyrics to the French song Comme d’habitude - but his work was rejected and instead Paul Anka rewrote it to be“My Way. Annoyed at the success of Frank Sinatra’s version, Bowie wrote the parody Life on Mars? in response.

Track 2: Dove - Cymande (from Cymande)
Track 3: Bra - Cymande (from Cymande)
British funk band Cymande formed in 1971, releasing their debut self-titled album the following year. They were initially more successful in America, but found wider recognition in the following decades after being sampled by various artists, including De La Soul and Grandmaster Flash. Colleen remembers hearing both tracks at The Loft in New York; the invitation-only parties hosted by her friend David Mancuso.

Track 4: Soap Shop Rock - Amon DĂĽĂĽl II (from Yeti)
Colleen remembers playing krautrock pioneers Amon DĂĽĂĽl II on her psychedelic radio show in college. The band formed in the late 60s and take their name from the political art commune in Munich, where they met.

Track 5: Southern Man - Sylvester (from Sylvester and the Hot Band)
African-American falsetto singer (and flamboyant dresser) Sylvester is best know for his disco hits, including the UK Top 10, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real). Southern Man, his debut single, is a funk cover of the Neil Young song, which carries an overt anti-racism message.

Track 6: Hot Hot Hot !!! (Extended Remix) - The Cure x François Kevorkian
Colleen is delighted to happen across this remix by her friend, DJ and producer François Kevokian in the 12” singles shed. The Cure are often associated with gothic rock - but the band reject being categorised as one particular genre.

Track 7: Hit The North (Part 4) - The Fall x Zeus B. Held
Next she pulls out a white label 12” by post punk outfit The Fall - who were famously known as John’s favourite band. This 1987 single - considered the band’s most musically conventional - was remixed by German producer Zeus B Held.

Track 8: I’d Rather Go Blind - Chicken Shack
This 7” single from British blues band Chicken Shack, features the beautiful vocals of Christine Perfect - better known by her married name, McVie - and was released a year before she joined Fleetwood Mac. The song was first recorded by Etta James

Track 9: Anambra - Ozo
Colleen selects a fitting end the day; a track which would often be played at the end of a Loft party, to help party-goers re-entry the world. This is the debut release from fusion band Ozo, which appeared on their 1976 album Listen To The Buddha.

Available now

43 minutes

Last on

Mon 21 Mar 2022 03:00

Music Played

  • Strawberry Alarm Clock

    Incense And Peppermints

    • Austin Powers O.S.T. (Various Artists).
    • Hollywood.
  • David Bowie

    Life On Mars?

  • Cymande

    Dove

    • Cymande.
    • Janus Records.
    • 1.
  • Cymande

    Bra

    • Cymande.
    • Janus Records ‎.
  • Amon DĂĽĂĽl II

    Soap Shop Rock

    • Yeti.
    • LIBERTY.
    • 1.
  • The Cure & François K

    Hot Hot Hot!!! (Remix)

    • Elektra.
  • The Fall & Zeus B. Held

    Hit The North (Part 4)

    • White Label.
  • Chicken Shack

    I'd Rather Go Blind

    • BLUE HORIZON.
  • Ozo

    Anambra

    • DJM Records.
  • Sylvester and the Hot Band

    Southern Man

    • Sylvester And The Hot Band.
    • Blue Thumb Records.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Mon 21 Mar 2022 03:00