30th November 2001:
Guest House Paradiso will be shown again on MovieMax1 on Friday 14th December at 21.30
The second story (of 5) of Chiller will be shown on Granada Plus. It's called 'Prophecy' and will be broadcast on Sunday 9th December at 21.00, repeated a little later in the early hours of Monday morning at 01.00
The pilot (in two parts) of Waking The Dead returns to UK Drama next week. Episodes 1 and 2 will be shown 'back-to-back' on Thursday 6th December at 22.05 and 23.10 respectively. Both episodes will then be repeated in the early hours of Friday 7th December 'back-to-back' at 02.15 and 03.15
Victorian sleuth Sherlock Holmes can be found looking for clues in the film Hands Of A Murderer on Granada Plus on Saturday 1st December at 19.00
Finally, something new to look forward to! Keep an eye out for Hot Money, a new drama to be broadcast on ITV1 on Wednesday 12th December at 21.00. Starring Caroline Quentin, Georgia Mackenzie and Melanie Hill, a group of women working at a Bank of England factory hatch a plan to smuggle old bank-notes out of the plant. To avoid raising suspicion, they agree not to make their spending too conspicuous - but will they be able to resist the temptation to splash out?
Bye............
17th November 2001:
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax5 on Thursday 22nd November at 22.30
The final episode of Dalziel And Pascoe ('Truth And Consequences') will be shown on BBC1 on Monday 19th November at 20.30
Super sleuth Cadfael returns to the Hallmark Channel as follows:
- One Corpse Too Many - on Sunday 18th November at 18.00
- The Sanctuary Sparrow - on Sunday 18th November at 19.30
- The Leper Of St. Giles - on Sunday 25th November at 18.00
- Monk's Hood - on Sunday 25th November at 19.30
UK Drama will be showing The Mystery Of Men as follows:
- on Saturday 17th November at 21.00, later repeated in the early hours of Sunday 18th November at 03.05
- on Friday 23rd November at 23.15. later repeated in the early hours of Saturday 24th November at 03.15
Finally, Colin's gig with the NDR Big Band at the Queen Elizabeth Hall was very good. The bill was shared between Colin and Mike Gibbs, with Colin doing the first half of the show. Colin's spot lasted about an hour, in which time they played:
- Heated Think Tank (from Another Think Coming)
- I Am The Walrus (from Another Think Coming)
- Prayer (from Another Think Coming)
- Lost In The Stars (from The Theatre Of Kurt Weill)
- My Ship (from The Theatre Of Kurt Weill)
- Mack The Knife (from The Theatre Of Kurt Weill)
- Roaring At The Savoy (from Another Think Coming)
See you next time........
4th November 2001:
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax3 on Tuesday 6th November at 22.00The second (and concluding) part of the pilot episode of Waking The Dead will be screened on BBC1 on Sunday 4th November at 21.00
I think an apology is due for giving you a bum-steer recently. If you watched the first episode of the new four-part Dalziel And Pascoe, you will have noticed that Colin did NOT write the music to that episode. Having checked with Towns Towers I have now been reliably informed that Colin did write the music for the production, but only for 2 of the episodes. Which 2 they are I have no idea! I suppose you'll just have to watch the remaining 3 episodes to find out! Episode 2 ('Home Truths') will be shown on BBC1 on Monday 5th November at 20.30, episode 3 will be broadcast the following week on BBC1 on Monday 12th November at 20.30
Colin has been recently recording idents for the new UK Food Channel and the music to a new feature film called Rocket Post. More details when I get them........
For those of you living in Holland (or who can receive the channel via cable or satellite) you can catch the first episode (of 3) of Imogen's Face on Holland's national TV on Sunday 11th November at 19.33 (local time). Thanks to Carl Vanempten for the info
Don't forget, this coming weekend (Saturday 10th November) Mike Gibbs and Colin Towns will be joined by the NDR Big Band for the London premiere of Nonsequence (Gibbs) and Another Think Coming (Towns) at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank
'Til the next time..........
21st October 2001:
The credits to the new Mask Orchestra album Another Think Coming have now been added to the site, as too have the credits to Angelina Ballerina (in the 'Animations' section). Anyone interested in the latter may find this site interesting....!
Adios.......
20th October 2001:
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax2 on Wednesday 31st October at 21.00
The Beggar Bride, a two-part drama, returns to UK Drama as follows:
- episode 1 - on Wednesday 31st October at 22.05, repeated later in the early hours of Thursday 1st November at 02.00
- episode 2 - on Thursday 1st November at 22.05, repeated later in the early hours of Friday 2nd November at 02.00
The pilot episode of the two-part police drama Waking The Dead will be screened on BBC1 soon. The first part will be shown on Sunday 28th October at 21.00. Details of the second part will be given here shortly
ITV continue showing the children's animation Angelina Ballerina as follows:
- episode 11: Two Mice In A Boat - on Monday 29th October at 15.30
- episode 12: The Costume Ball - on Tuesday 30th October at 15.30
- episode 13: Miss Lilly Is Leaving - on Wednesday 31st October at 15.30
Although the animation is in 26 parts, it looks as though ITV are only broadcasting the first 13. No further episodes are scheduled after Wednesday 31st October - perhaps the remaining 13 will be broadcast in the coming months. Details will be given here once I get 'em.......
Finally, a new series of the detective drama Dalziel And Pascoe begins on BBC1 on Monday 29th October. Although there have been previous series of this police duo, this is the first time Colin has scored the music for the programmes. According to the Radio Times there are only 4 episodes in the current series, the first one being 'Walls Of Silence'
Bye for now.......
14th October 2001:
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax1 on Thursday 25th October at 21.30
The Buccaneers make a welcome return to the small screen this week. UK Drama will be showing the entire 5 episodes as follows:
- episode 1: Invasion - on Monday 15th October at 23.40, repeated later in the early hours of Tuesday morning at 03.40
- episode 2: Conquest - on Tuesday 16th October at 23.55, repeated later in the early hours of Wednesday 17th October at 03.45
- episode 3: Ambush - on Wednesday 17th October at 23.50, repeated later in the early hours of Thursday 18th October at 03.50
- episode 4: Capture - in the early hours of Friday 19th October at 00.05
- episode 5: Plunder - in the early hours of Saturday 20th October at 00.05
UK Gold will be screening the first episode of the detective series McCready And Daughter on Monday 22nd October at 21.00, repeated later in the early hours of Tuesday 23rd October at 02.25. Originally broadcast on BBC1 in June 2001, the series is about a young woman who joins her estranged father in his Kilburn private detective agency
Granada Plus is due to show the first programme of Chiller on Sunday 21st October at 21.00. Called 'The Man Who Didn't Believe In Ghosts', it stars Peter Egan and was originally broadcast on ITV in March 1995
At long last ITV are ready to show Angelina Ballerina, a 26-part children's animation about a ballet-dancing mouse and her friends! Astute readers among you may have already guessed that Colin has scored the music for the production - doing so on-and-off for the last 12 months. The episodes will be shown across all 5 days of each week (Monday to Friday) at 15.30 as follows:
- episode 1: The Rose Fairy Princess - on Monday 15th October
- episode 2: Angelina At The Fair - on Tuesday 16th October
- episode 3: Angelina In The Wings - on Wednesday 17th October
- episode 4: The Lucky Penny - on Thursday 18th October
- episode 5: Arthur The Butterfly - on Friday 19th October
- episode 6: The Ballet Tickets - on Monday 22nd October
- episode 7: Treasure Tandems - on Tuesday 23rd October
- episode 8: Miss Lilly Comes To Dinner - on Wednesday 24th October
- episode 9: Midnight Muddle - on Thursday 25th October
- episode 10: Angelina's Surprise - Friday 26th October
Details on further episodes will be posted here once I get 'em.......
Finally, as mentioned a few weeks ago, the latest album from Colin Towns’ Mask Orchestra will be released tomorrow (15th October 2001). Titled Another Think Coming (PVC1028), the album features eight new Colin Towns’ compositions plus a brilliant arrangement of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s I Am the Walrus. The album also includes an unconventional reading of Reverie by French composer Claude Debussy. Latest news is that the album will now include an enhanced video track of the Mask Orchestra performing Bolt From The Blue
See you soon.......
30th September 2001:
Not much happening again this week. There'll be two showings of Guest House Paradiso (on MovieMax4 on Monday 1st October at 21.00 and again on MovieMax4 on Friday 5th October at 21.00) as well as a re-run of Nice Town on UK Drama starting on 6th October. The times and dates are as follows:
- episode 1: Immaculate Conception - on Saturday 6th October at 23.00, repeated in the early hours of Sunday 7th October at 03.00
- episode 2: Unto Us A Child Is Born - in the early hours of Sunday 7th October at 00.05, repeated later the same morning at 04.00
- episode 3: Idyll - on Sunday 7th October at midnight, repeated later in the early hours of Monday 8th October at 04.00
Well, at long last the Colin Towns questions and answers session has been added to the site. Yep, an exclusive 'interview' just for this site. I hope it has been worth the wait............?
Take care.......
16th September 2001:
What can I say? The last week has been a pretty strange time for us all, no matter where we live in the world. Like me, many people have not taken it all in yet. Such terrible acts of terrorism on a monstrous scale. And for what?
My thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in the immediate impact of these senseless acts of violence, to the victims, their families, relatives and friends. I have no answers, just grief..........
Getting It Right can be seen on Carlton Cinema on Thursday 20th September at 23.00
Cadfael shows up on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday 16th September at 18.30 in 'The Potter's Field' and again on 23rd September at 18.30 in 'Pilgrim Of Hate'
Finally, Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax5 on Tuesday 18th September at 22.30
I'm afraid the Colin Towns 'questions and answers' session will have to wait until the next time. Sorry
Take care.......
31st August 2001:
Little happening again this week by way of TV programmes, except for our two current favourites:
Cadfael can be seen on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday 9th September at 18.30 in 'The Holy Thief'
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax3 on Sunday 9th September at 22.00
However, there's a bit of news concerning Colin's current jazz forays - more details of which can be found on his great Provocateur Records site
As mentioned last time, the latest album from Colin Towns’ Mask Orchestra is due for release on 15th October 2001. Titled Another Think Coming (PVC1028), the album features eight new Colin Towns’ compositions plus a brilliant arrangement of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s I Am the Walrus - I've seen it live and it's fabulous! The album also includes an unconventional reading of Reverie by French composer Claude Debussy. The album itself was recorded during July 2001 - just days after the Mask returned from their highly acclaimed performance at the Getxo Festival in Spain
Striking while the iron's hot, Mike Gibbs and Colin Towns will be joined by the NDR Big Band on Saturday 10th November for the London premiere of Nonsequence and Another Think Coming at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank. As with last year, Provocateur Records will be co-sponsoring the London Jazz Festival in November
Finally, Colin Towns has just completed the string arrangements for Shadows In The Rain, the new album from the internationally renowned saxophonist and NDR Big Band member Christof Lauer. The album will be released on the ACT label in October
Next time, I'll be putting up the answers to the questions posed to Colin back in April / May this year! He's just finished answering 'em, so I'll find a place for 'em on the site when I can get the chance. Something to look forward to, eh?
Bye for now........
26th August 2001:
There's not a great deal happening this week on TV except for the following 2 bits of info:
Cadfael can be seen on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday 2nd September at 18.30 in 'The Raven In The Foregate'
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax5 on Saturday 1st September at 22.00
Well, I managed to make it to the Mask's gig at Coventry on Saturday 25th August. The Belgrade Theatre is a great little venue and suited the Orchestra perfectly - not too big yet intimate. The band, conducted by Colin, did 2 spots
The first hour showcased several new tracks from the forthcoming Mask album (more of that later), namely Another Think Coming, Think Tank, a superb rendition of the Beatles' classic I Am The Walrus, Prayer and a few other new tracks, finishing with Roaring At The Savoy. Mmmmmm, nice!
After the customary intermission, Colin led the boys straight into the UK premier of nine new arrangements of the music of Kurt Weill (as per the album). To end the night and by way of an 'encore', we were treated to a lively version of Bolt From The Blue (from the first Mask album). Grooooovy!
In all, I counted 19 musicians on stage (20 if you include Colin himself), many of which are household names in UK jazz circles (e.g. Guy Barker, Alan Skidmore, Ian Thomas, Peter King, Mark Nightingale, Nigel Hitchcock and Phil Todd - the same fella who plays the sax on the 'Pie In The Sky' theme music). Colin appeared to have had an enjoyable time of it all, and the orchestra were enthusiastic and as tight as ever. The appreciative audience wanted more, but as the house lights went up the only decent thing left to do was to head directly for the nearest pub to conduct your own 'inquest' of the show. There aren't many better ways to spend a Saturday night in Coventry........Mmmmmmmmmm! Really nice!
Lastly, I found the following advert at the show detailing the next Mask Orchestra album. More info when I get it...........
19th August 2001:
What's this, two news up dates in one week? Well, yes it's true!
Cadfael continues unabated on the Hallmark Channel. On Sunday 19th August at 18.30 he can be seen in 'The Rose Rent', and in 'A Morbid Taste For Bones' the following Saturday 26th August at 18.30
The pilot episodes of Waking The Dead will be shown on UK Drama as follows:
- episode 1 on Wednesday 29th August at 20.05, repeated later in the early hours of Thursday 30th August at 02.30
- episode 2 on Wednesday 29th August at 23.10, repeated later in the early hours of Thursday 30th August at 03.30
Deceit makes a welcome return to UK Drama. Both episodes will be shown back-to-back on Tuesday 28th August at 22.00, repeated later in the early hours of Wednesday 29th August at 02.35
Guest House Paradiso can be seen on MovieMax1 on Sunday 26th August at 21.45
Finally, just a further reminder that if you want to see Colin 'in the flesh', he and his Mask Orchestra will be appearing at the Coventry Jazz Festival next weekend (Saturday 25th August)
The following information has been lifted directly from a Press Release issued on 10th July:
UNMASKING THE ORCHESTRA Coventry Jazz Festival is to host a UK premiere by Colin Towns' Mask Orchestra in August
The Mask Orchestra's Kurt Weill arrangements have never before been heard in the UK and will be played for the first time as part of Coventry Jazz Festival at the city's Belgrade Theatre on 25 August
Towns' powerful and dramatic one-off performance will contain an hour of specially arranged Kurt Weill pieces - including jazz standards such as Mack the Knife and Speak Low
The line-up for the Orchestra contains some of the most exciting jazz soloists in the country including, Henry Lowther, Guy Barker, Mark Nightingale, Peter King, Alan Skidmore, Julian Argüelles, John Paricelli and Paul Clarvis
Colin Towns said, 'Last year the NDR band in Germany asked me to rearrange Kurt Weill pieces for a CD and also for concerts. It is a great honour that the Coventry Festival have made it possible for the Mask Orchestra to perform this music in England for the first time. The pleasure is all ours'
The second hour of the Mask Orchestra's set will consist of previously unreleased Mask Orchestra tracks and pieces from the 'Dreaming Man with Blue Suede Shoes' Album
Colin Towns started his career as a film and TV composer. The death of his wife Jan from cancer spurred him on to realise his ambition to write for a jazz orchestra, resulting in his work with the Mask Orchestra
The Mask Orchestra is one of the acts booked for the six-day Coventry Jazz Festival (August 22-27) which also includes Courtney Pine, Tommy Smith, Tim Garland and Kenny Ball
Free programmes and festival tickets are available from Coventry Tourist Information Centre 024 7622 7264, email jazz@coventry.org. For Mask Orchestra tickets call the Belgrade Box Office on 024 7655 3055
I might see you at the weekend..........
14th August 2001:
Sorry if the following information is a bit out of date, but I've been experiencing a spot of trouble uploading my files to the website, and thus there has been a big(ish) delay in posting the latest news (does that make sense??!!). Hopefully, things have now been resolved and it's 'business as usual.........'
You can catch up with more medieval mystery on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday 12th August at 18.30, when Cadfael investigates 'The Virgin In The Ice'. He's also on hand on Sunday 19th August at 18.30 in 'The Rose Rent'
Those lovely (and ruthless) Buccaneers continue to live the life of Riley on BBC Knowledge:
- episode 4: Capture - on Saturday 11th August at 20.05, repeated later in the early hours of Sunday 12th August at 00.35
- episode 5: Plunder - on Saturday 11th August at 21.00, repeated later in the early hours of Sunday 12th August at 01.30
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax4 on Friday 17th August at 21.00 and again on MovieMax2 on Thursday 23rd August at 22.35
The second episode of Catherine Cookson's The Dwelling Place can be seen on Granada Plus on Saturday 11th August at 14.00, 19.00 and again at midnight. The third episode (of three) can be seen on Saturday 18th August at 14.00, 19.00 and midnight
Slayground can be seen on The Studio Channel in the early hours of Saturday 18th at 02.30
Finally, don't forget Colin and the Mask Orchestra will be playing at the Coventry Jazz Festival on Saturday 25th August
Bye..........
30th July 2001:
Cadfael continues his splendid sleuthing on the Hallmark Channel, with an airing of 'St. Peter's Fair' on Sunday 5th August at 18.30
The Buccaneers are still living it up on BBC Knowledge:
- episode 3: Ambush - on Saturday 4th August at 18.50
- episode 4: Capture - on Friday 10th August at 22.00
- episode 5: Plunder - on Friday 10th August at 22.55
Finally, Catherine Cookson's The Dwelling Place makes it's first appearance on Granada Plus. The first part (of three), initially broadcast on ITV in 1995, will be shown on Saturday 4th August at 14.00, again at 19.00 and again at midnight
See you soon..........
21st July 2001:
The Hallmark Channel continues their re-run of Cadfael. 'Monk's Hood' will be shown on Sunday 22nd July at 18.30, and 'The Devil's Novice' the following Sunday 29th July at 18.30
The pilot of Waking The Dead (first shown on BBC1 last September) gets an airing on UK Drama at the beginning of August. In 2 parts, episode 1 will be shown on Wednesday 1st August at 21.00, repeated a little later in the early hours of Thursday 2nd August at 01.05. Episode 2 will be shown immediately after the first (Wednesday 1st August) at 22.05, and again in the early hours of Thursday 2nd August at 02.05
The Buccaneers return to our screens, this time on BBC Knowledge:
- episode 1: Invasion - on Friday 27th July at 22.00; Saturday 28th July at 20.40; early hours of Sunday 29th July at 00.25
- episode 2: Conquest - on Friday 3rd August at 22.00
- episode 3: Ambush - on Friday 3rd August at 22.55
UK Drama are about to re-run Nice Town, a 3-part drama by Guy Hibbert. The times and dates are as follows:
- episode 1: Immaculate Conception - on Monday 23rd July at 22.10, repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 24th July at 02.20
- episode 2: Unto Us A Child Is Born - on Tuesday 24th July at 22.10, repeated in the early hours of Wednesday 25th July at 02.20
- episode 3: Idyll - on Wednesday 25th July at 22.15, repeated later in the early hours of Thursday 26th July at 02.35
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax4 on Saturday 21st July at 21.00; on MovieMax1 on Friday 27th July at 21.30; and on MovieMax2 on Thursday 31st July at 21.00
UK Drama are set to show the second episode of The Beggar Bride on Sunday 22nd July at 21.00
Finally, Carlton Cinema is about to show The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase on Sunday 22nd July at 09.15, and Getting It Right on Wednesday 25th July at 21.00
I hope you like the 'new-look'. I'll be back soon.......
9th July 2001:
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax3 on Tuesday 10th July at 22.15, and again on MovieMax5 on Sunday 15th July at 22.10
Cadfael ('The Leper Of St. Giles') will be shown on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday 15th July at 18.30
The fourth episode of McCready And Daughter ('Obsessions'), will be shown on BBC1 on Thursday 12th July at 20.30, while the fifth ('No Bed Of Roses') will be shown the following Thursday 19th July at 20.30
Catherine Cookson's Fifteen Streets gets another airing on UK Drama on Thursday 19th July at 21.00, repeated later in the early hours of Friday 20th July at 01.05
UK Drama will also be re-running The Beggar Bride. The first episode can be seen on Sunday 15th July at 21.00
Still with UK Drama, both episodes of Deceit will be shown back-to-back on Monday 9th July at 21.00, repeated later in the early hours of Tuesday 10th July at 01.40
Finally, good news for Mask Orchestra fans! Colin will be very shortly starting the recording of the new album - within the next week or two at the most. As yet the album remains untitled and is scheduled for release in the middle of October 2001
See you next time.........
25th June 2001:
The Hallmark Channel will be showing Cadfael (One Corpse Too Many) on Sunday 1st July at 18.30
Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax3 on Monday 2nd July at 22.00
The third episode of McCready And Daughter ('Pasta La Vista'), will be shown on BBC1 on Thursday 5th July at 20.30. The father and daughter team take on an investigation involving a television chef who is found murdered. Let's hope it's Ainsley Harriot (sorry to all those overseas readers who may not get the reference)
Finally, I've got a real apology to make. Yes, I've made a bit of a boob and gave all of you a bum-steer. Colin didn't actually write the music to the current series of Waking The Dead. I assumed that since he'd done the score for the pilot episodes last year that he'd be in the running to do the new episodes too! I was wrong. Naturally, I've since beaten myself about the head with a rolled up newspaper while listening to Hear'Say - I think that's sufficient punishment, don't you?
Enjoy the sun while you can. See ya..........
16th June 2001:
Guest House Paradiso will be shown again on MovieMax4 on Saturday 23rd June at 21.00, and on MovieMax2 on Friday 29th June at 21.00
The second installment of a new 2-part Waking The Dead will be shown on BBC1 on Monday 25th June at 21.00 and Tuesday 26th June at 21.00. Titled 'The Blind Beggar', a skeleton is unexpectedly discovered in a church crypt awakening deep hidden family secrets that force Det. Supt. Boyd to examine his own past
The second episode of McCready And Daughter ('Dating Game'), will be shown on BBC1 on Thursday 28th June at 20.30. An innocent first date has murderous consequences, and Clare McCready discovers that her father has more than professional pride at stake in solving the mystery
Finally, Dumb Waiter returns to FilmFour. It will be shown on Saturday 23rd June at 21.35, repeated an hour later on FilmFour+ (22.35)
'Til the next time..........
10th June 2001:
The Hallmark channel continues with their Cadfael mysteries with 2 more to be broadcast back-to-back on Saturday 16th June at 17.00 and 18.30 respectively. As yet I don't have the titles
Nice Town, a 3-part drama by Guy Hibbert, makes a welcome return to UK Drama. The times and dates are as follows:
- episode 1: Immaculate Conception - on Monday 18th June at 22.05, repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 19th June at 02.10
- episode 2: Unto Us A Child Is Born - on Tuesday 19th June at 22.05, repeated in the early hours of Wednesday 20th June at 02.05
- episode 3: Idyll - on Wednesday 20th June at 22.05, repeated later in the early hours of Thursday 21st June at 02.05
Guest House Paradiso will be shown again on MovieMax1 on Monday 18th June at 21.30
Finally, watch out for 2 new series, both of which were scored by Colin. The first is a new 2-parter of Waking The Dead, a police drama originally piloted last September. The first part will be shown on BBC1 on Monday 18th June at 21.00, and the second part on Tuesday 19th June at 21.00. The second new series is McCready And Daughter, a drama series about a young woman who joins her estranged father in his private detective agency. The first episode (Hobgoblin) will be shown on BBC1 on Thursday 21st June at 20.30
Bye...........
2nd June 2001:
Part 2 of My Fragile Heart will be shown on ITV2 on Saturday 9th June at 21.00
For all those medieval sleuth fans out there, you'll be glad to hear that Cadfael makes an appearance on the Hallmark channel on Friday 15th June. He'll be on hand to solve 2 mysteries (shown at 17.00 and 18.30), but as yet I don't have the titles
The Beggar Bride will be shown again on BBC Prime. Part 1 will be shown on Sunday 10th June at 21.30, and episode 2 on Thursday 14th June at 23.00. In case you're the curious type, the programmes will be subtitled in Danish, English, Norwegian and Swedish. Now you know.....
The Crow Road, a 4-part adaptation of Iain Banks' blackly humorous novel, makes a return to UK Drama next week:
- episode 1: Prentice - on Monday 11th June at 21.00, repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 12th June at 01.10
- episode 2: Kenneth - on Monday 11th June at 22.15, repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 12th June at 02.20
- episode 3: Fergus - on Tuesday 12th June at 21.00, repeated later in the early hours of Wednesday 13th June at 00.50
- episode 4: Rory - on Tuesday 12th June at 22.15, repeated later in the early hours of Wednesday 13th June at 02.05
The Buccaneers, a 5-part production of the unfinished novel by Edith Wharton, also makes its return to UK Drama. Dates, times and episodes as follows:
- episode 1: Invasion - Monday 11th June at 23.30, later repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 12th June at 03.30
- episode 2: Conquest - Tuesday 12th June at 23.40, later repeated in the early hours of Wednesday 13th June at 03.20
- episode 3: Ambush - Wednesday 13th June at 23.30, later repeated in the early hours of Thursday 14th June at 03.05
- episode 4: Capture - Thursday 14th June at 23.50, later repeated in the early hours of Friday 15th June at 03.40
- episode 5: Plunder - Friday 15th June at 23.40
Lastly, Sherlock Holmes fans can catch Hands Of A Murderer on Granada Plus on Sunday 10th June at 19.00
I'll be back soon.........
28th May 2001:
ITV2 are set to re-run My Fragile Heart, a drama in which a woman returns to her home town where, 20 years ago, her best friend was murdered. It starts with part 1 on Saturday 2nd June at 21.00
Fans of Bottom may be interested to hear that Guest House Paradiso will be shown on MovieMax1 on Thursday 7th June at 22.00. Starring Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson, it's a scatological comedy(?!?), about an indescribably bad holiday guest house, presided over by an equally awful proprietor
The Beggar Bride will be shown on BBC Prime soon. A 2-part drama about a mother living a double life, episode 1 will be shown on Sunday 3rd June at 21.30, and episode 2 on Thursday 7th June at 23.00
Finally, keep your eyes peeled for a special programme about Donald Campbell on BBC1. Titled A British Legend - The Search For Bluebird, it will be shown on Thursday 7th June at 21.00. There's a very good chance that the music was written by Colin!
See you soon......
20th May 2001:
Cadfael returns to the Hallmark Channel with a re-run of The Holy Thief on Monday 28th May at 20.30
Part 1 (of a 2-part thriller) of Deceit will be shown on UK Drama on Friday 25th May at 21.00, repeated later in the early hours of Saturday 26th May at 01.10. Part 2 will be shown the following Friday 1st June at 21.00, repeated later in the early hours of Saturday 2nd June at 01.05
The credits to both the recently shown An Unsuitable Job For A Woman and Body Language have now been added to the Mini-series and Films sections of the site respectively
Info on the album Classical Hollywood III has now been added to the Discography section
Bye......
14th May 2001:
As reported last time, Colin has indeed written the music to the new An Unsuitable Job For A Woman, to be shown on ITV this Wednesday 16th May at 20.00
Lastly, Colin has locked himself away in the studio and is busy recording his next Mask Orchestra album. It's been pencilled in for an October 2001 release and it looks like it's still on target. Here's to it
Adios......
13th May 2001:
Deceit will be shown again on UK Drama, with episode 1 on Friday 25th May at 21.00. Details of episode 2 to follow......
Carlton Cinema are set to broadcast The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase on Thursday 24th May at 17.00, and again on Friday 25th May at 07.00 in the morning
ITV will be showing a new 2-hour special of An Unsuitable Job For A Woman (Playing God) on Wednesday 16th May at 20.00. At this stage I don't know whether Colin has written the score for it or not, but as he has written the music for the other three stories in the series, it's a pretty safe bet he's done this one too!
Finally, Colin will be playing live in Germany this week. Billed as Marcio Doctor and the NDR Big Band - The Theatre of Kurt Weill and Pieces of Towns. NDR Big Band featuring Colin Towns, the dates are:
- 18th May - Wolfsburg, Germany
- 19th May - The '12th Jazzfest', Delmenhorst, Germany
'Til the next time......
9th May 2001:
Nice Town makes a welcome return to UK Drama, and will be broadcast as follows:
- episode 1: Immaculate Conception - on Monday 14th May at 22.45, repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 15th May at 02.30
- episode 2: Unto Us A Child Is Born - on Tuesday 15th May at 22.45, repeated in the early hours of Wednesday 16th May at 02.45
- episode 3: Idyll - on Wednesday 16th May at 22.50, repeated later in the early hours of Thursday 17th May at 02.50
BBC1 will be showing Body Language on Thursday 17th May at 23.25. Billed as a tense drama, it stars Tom Berenger as a lawyer who meets a stripper. She manipulates him into killing her abusive husband and he finds himself in the middle of a blackmail plot
Keep your eagle eyes open for a clip or two of Colin when VH-1 show Rock Family Trees - Deep Purple People on Saturday 12th May at 21.00, and again on Wednesday 16th May at 21.00. He features momentarily when Mr Gillan's eponymous band are discussed
Finally, Colin will be playing at the Getxo Jazz Festival in Spain on 8th July 2001, and at the Coventry Jazz Festival on 25th August 2001
Bye for now.....
3rd May 2001:
The final part of Ivanhoe (part 6) can be seen on BBC Prime at midnight on Sunday 6th May
UK Drama will be showing both parts of Deceit back-to-back on Saturday 5th May at 21.00. They will be repeated a few hours later, in the early hours of Sunday 6th May at 00.45
Part 2 of The Dark Room will be shown on UK Gold in the early hours of Sunday 6th May at 03.10
Essex Boys hits the UK shops soon. It will be released simultaneously on video and DVD on 2nd July
Colin appeared on an album by Sonja Kristina (singer with Curved Air) back in 1980. I've now added this to the Guest Appearances section of the site, although some of the details are a bit sketchy. Help in completing it would be much appreciated
Finally, I've made a slight alteration to the site. Eagle-eyed people will have noticed that I've archived the News section, making the loading of the latest news much faster. See you next time......
24th April 2001:
Good news, Crabbe fans! UK Gold have found a load of 'pies' in a cupboard (let's hope they're not stale!). The remaining episodes of series 5 of Pie In The Sky can be seen as follows:
- episode 4: Cutting The Mustard - early hours of Friday 27th April at 04.05
- episode 5: Return Match - early hours of Saturday 28th April at 04.10
- episode 6: The Apprentice - early hours of Tuesday 1st May at 04.05
- episode 7: In The Smoke - early hours of Wednesday 2nd May at 04.05
- episode 8: Smelling Of Roses - early hours of Thursday 3rd May at 04.05
Part 5 of Ivanhoe can be seen on BBC Prime at midnight on Sunday 29th April
UK Drama are to show Deceit, a 2-part thriller, as follows:
- episode 1: Tuesday 1st May at 21.00; repeated in the early hours of Wednesday 2nd May at 01.05
- episode 2: Wednesday 2nd May at 21.00; repeated in the early hours of Thursday 3rd May at 01.05
Also on the same evenings, UK Drama is showing The Beggar Bride:
- episode 1: Tuesday 1st May at 22.25; repeated in the early hours of Wednesday 2nd May at 02.30
- episode 2: Wednesday 2nd May at 22.30; repeated in the early hours of Thursday 3rd May at 02.35
Lastly, UK Gold will be showing The Dark Room, a 2-part psychological thriller. Part 1 will be broadcast in the early hours of Sunday 29th April at 03.20
You've still got time to submit questions to Colin, but you'll have to be quick. All entries must be received by the end of April
Bye......
15th April 2001:
Just a few programmes to watch out for in the next week or two. Parts 3 and 4 of Ivanhoe can be seen on BBC Prime as follows:
- part 3 - in the early hours of Monday 16th April at 00.10
- part 4 - at midnight on Sunday 22nd April
UK Gold are to show 1 episode of Pie In The Sky (Money Talks from the third series) in the early hours of Monday 23rd April at 01.15
Sherlock Holmes fans can catch Hands Of A Murderer on Granada Plus on Sunday 21st April at 19.00
Finally, FilmFour are to show Dumb Waiter again on Thursday 26th April at 23.45
Thanks to those who've already submitted questions for the Colin Towns 'questions and answers' session. If anyone else would like to put any questions to Colin, you still have to time to get them in. However, you've only got until the end of April!
See you soon.......
12th April 2001:
Colin is currently working on:
- Angelina Ballerina - a 26-part animation due for broadcast on TV in the autumn
- McCready and Daughter
- Dalziel and Pascoe - BBC detective series
- Hot Money - Granada TV feature film
More of Beatrix Potter's The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends can be seen on BBC2 as follows:
- The Tale of Mrs Tiggywinkle and Mr Jeremy Fisher - Tuesday 17th April at 11.15
- The Tale of Flopsy Bunnies and Mrs Tittlemouse - Wednesday 18th April at 11.15
- The Tale of Mr Tod - Thursday 19th April at 11.15
- The Tale of Two Bad Mice and Johnny Town-Mouse - Friday 20th April at 11.15
Hamilton Mattress and Oi! Get Off Our Train both added to the Animations section, and the Kurt Weill commission added to the Miscellaneous section of the site
8th April 2001:
Don't forget, you've only got to the end of April to get your questions in for Colin's 'questions and answers' session. In the meantime, here's two interviews you might find interesting. The first is with Sound On Sound Magazine , and the second is with Amazon.co.uk
5th April 2001:
Ahhhh, those lovely little bunnies are back again, just in time for Easter! That's right, Beatrix Potter's The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends returns to BBC2 as follows:
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny - Monday 9th April at 11.15
- The Tale of Tom Kitten and Jemima Puddleduck - Tuesday 10th April at 11.15
- The Tale of Samuel Whiskers - Wednesday 11th April at 11.15
- The Tailor of Gloucester - Thursday 12th April at 11.15
- The Tale of Pigling Bland - Friday 13th April at 11.15
Pie In The Sky continues on UK Gold as follows:
- episode 3: Pork Pies - early hours of Saturday 7th April at 04.05
The second part of Ivanhoe can be seen on BBC Prime in the early hours of Monday 9th April at 00.10
It's been no sooner on, than it's being repeated again. Yes, The Beggar Bride makes a welcome return to UK Drama as follows:
- part 1: Thursday 12th April at 21.00, later repeated in the early hours of Friday 13th April at 01.00
- part 2: Thursday 12th April at 22.30, later repeated in the early hours of Friday 13th April at 02.30
I can at last confirm that Nicholas Nickleby will be screened on ITV this weekend, and stars James d'Arcy, Charles Dance and Gregor Fisher amongst others. Its full title is The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and is a 2-part adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale about a young man whose life is dogged by the machinations of his evil, money-grabbing uncle. The first part will be shown on Sunday 8th April at 21.00, the second installment the following Sunday (15th April) at 21.00
The credits for The Dumb Waiter have now been added to the Films section of the site
As reported last time, Colin is set to do an 'exclusive' interview for this site (well, it's more like a 'questions and answers' arrangement really). Questions have already started arriving; thanks to those for taking the time to participate. If you fancy getting involved, and possibly have Colin answer your queries, simply send me your top three burning questions/observations
Don't forget, all questions must be submitted by the end of April 2001
Well, that's it for the time being...........
25th March 2001:
If it's crime and cookery you're after, Pie In The Sky continues on UK Gold as follows:
- episode 3: Chinese Whispers - early hours of Friday 30th March at 04.05
- episode 4: New Leaf - early hours of Saturday 31st March at 04.05
- episode 5: Breaking Bread - early hours of Tuesday 3rd April at 04.00
- episode 6: Gary's Cake - early hours of Wednesday 4th April at 04.10
Then we're straight into series 5 (the last ever episodes of 'Pie'):
- episode 1: Squashed Tomatoes - early hours of Thursday 5th April at 04.00
- episode 2: Ugly Customers - early hours of Friday 5th April at 04.05
Ivanhoe can be seen on BBC Prime, beginning with episode 1 in the early hours of Monday 2nd April at 00.10
The Beggar Bride, a 2-part drama about a mother living a double life, will be shown on UK Drama as follows:
- part 1: Monday 2nd April at 21.00, later repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 3rd April at 01.20
- part 2: Tuesday 3rd April at 21.00, later repeated in the early hours of Wednesday 4th April at 01.15
I have it on good authority that Nicholas Nickleby (featuring Colin's music) will be screened soon on ITV, so keep your eyes peeled for that one
Regarding Colin's theatre work, he was responsible for the music to the recent Theatr Clywd production of King Lear (February 2001), and is soon to begin work on the music for the stage production of Ben Elton's book Inconceivable, due to open in Leeds in May 2001. As you may already know, Colin did the music to the film version of the same novel (Maybe Baby)
I've now updated the Gillan Days section of the site. It now includes most, if not all, of the Gillan singles, LPs and CDs. The images are either missing or fairly poor quality, but I'll soon have that sorted!!
Two great new pieces of news!! Firstly, I'll hopefully be running a competition in the very near future. At this stage I'm not quite sure what the prize will be, but it may well be a signed copy of the Catherine Cookson Collection. More details in the next week or two
Secondly, and more importantly, Colin has kindly agreed to do an interview for this site (yes......I was out cold for about three days when I found out!). Anyway, apart from all the things I wish to ask him, I thought it would be a neat idea to ask the visitors to the site (all both of you!) to submit any burning questions you may have. I suggest you limit you questions to 3 per person. I'll then pick the best and attempt to get them answered
Hoping to hear from you soon.........
21st March 2001:
More Pie In The Sky, vicar! Keep your eyes out for the following on UK Gold:
- episode 4: This Other Eden - early hours of Saturday 24th March at 04.05
- episode 5: Coddled Eggs - early hours of Tuesday 27th March at 04.05
After that, it's straight into series 4. However, as you may have noticed, episode 6 of series 3 (Money Talks) has not been scheduled to be broadcast. Perhaps it'll see the light of day (or should that be dark of morning!!) soon.
- episode 1: Devils On Horseback (part 1) - early hours of Wednesday 28th March at 04.05
- episode 2: Devils On Horseback (part 2) - early hours of Thursday 29th March at 04.05
Finally, Dumb Waiter returns to FilmFour on Tuesday 27th March at 21.35
See you soon.....
15th March 2001:
Pie In The Sky just keeps on a comin'! UK Gold will be showing the last three episodes of series 2 as follows:
- episode 8: The Mild Bunch - early hours of Friday 16th March at 04.00
- episode 9: The Mystery Of Pikey - early hours of Saturday 17th March at 04.05
- episode 10: Lemon Twist - early hours of Tuesday 20th March at 04.05
Then it's straight into series 3, starting with:
- episode 1: Game Pie - early hours of Wednesday 21st March at 04.05
- episode 2: Irish Stew - early hours of Thursday 22nd March at 04.05
- episode 3: Doggett's Coat And Badge - early hours of Friday 23rd March at 04.05
The second part of The Dark Room can be seen on BBC Prime on Sunday 18th March at 20.30; repeated again on Thursday 22nd March at 22.00
Finally, Money Kings (aka Vig) will be shown on Premier4 in the early hours of Wednesday 21st March at 03.25
Bye for now......
3rd March 2001:
The last Adrian Mole - The Cappuccino Years will be shown on BBC1 on Friday 9th March at 21.30
Pie In The Sky fans can catch up with the continuing exploits of Henry Crabbe on UK Gold as follows:
- episode 4: The One That Got Away - early hours of Saturday 10th March at 04.10
- episode 5: Dead Right - early hours of Tuesday 13th March at 04.05
- episode 6: Black Pudding - early hours of Wednesday 14th March at 04.05
- episode 7: Swan In His Pride - early hours of Thursday 15th March at 04.05
The first part (of a 2 part psychological thriller) of The Dark Room will be shown on BBC Prime on Sunday 11th March at 21.30; repeated on Thursday 15th March at 23.00
And finally, the credits to Nice Town have now been added to the Mini-series section
25th February 2001:
Adrian Mole - The Cappuccino Years will be grinding to a halt in the next two weeks. Sadly, episode 5 will be shown on BBC1 on Friday 2nd March 2001 at 21.30, while episode 6 will be shown the following Friday (9th March) at 21.30
Money Kings will be shown again on Premier2 in the early hours of Tuesday 6th March at 02.30
More pie, anyone? Yes, Pie In The Sky continues its re-run of series one on UK Gold as follows:
- episode 5: A Shot In The Dark - early hours of Tuesday 27th February at 04.10
- episode 6: Undesirable Elements - early hours of Wednesday 28th February at 04.05
- episode 7: Passion Fruit Fool - early hours of Thursday 1st March at 04.10
- episode 8: A Matter Of Taste - early hours of Friday 2nd March at 04.05
- episode 9: Who Only Stand And Wait - early hours of Saturday 3rd March at 04.05
- episode 10: Endangered Species - early hours of Tuesday 6th March at 04.05
- episode 1: Hard Cheese - early hours of Wednesday 7th March at 04.10
- episode 2: Brown Bread - early hours of Thurdsay 8th March at 04.10
- episode 3: The Policeman's Daughter - early hours of Friday 9th March at 04.10
- episode 1: Immaculate Conception - early hours of Tuesday 27th February at 00.05, repeated later at 04.00
- episode 2: Unto Us A Child Is Born - early hours of Wednesday 28th February at 00.05, repeated later at 03.50
- episode 3: Idyll - early hours of Thursday 1st March at 00.10, repeated later at 04.00
14th February 2001:
Have you been watching the new BBC series Adrian Mole - The Cappuccino Years? You have? Good, then you'll have noticed that Colin has scored the music for the programme. I didn't know about this, but happened to catch it by pure chance. So far you've missed the first two episodes, but you can catch episode 3 on BBC1 on Friday 16th February at 21.30, and episode 4 the following Friday 23rd February (at 21.30)
The Dark Room is set to make a return to our screens. The two-part psychological thriller will be shown in its entirety on UK Gold in the early hours of Sunday morning 22nd February at 00.15 (part 1) and 01.50 (part 2). It was originally broadcast on BBC1 in April 1999
Pie In The Sky also gets an airing on UK Gold, starting with a re-run of series 1. You can catch episode 1 (The Best Of Both Worlds) in the early hours of Tuesday morning 20th February at 04.00; episode 2 (The Truth Will Out) in the early hours of Thursday morning 22nd February at 03.55 and episode 3 (An Innocent Man) in the early hours of Friday morning 23rd February at 04.05. Further info when I get it
Anyone with cable TV can see The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase on Monday 19th February at 13.00 on Carlton Cinema
You can catch up with further exploits of Cadfael on the Hallmark channel on Saturday 17th February at 21.00, and again in the early hours of Sunday 18th at 04.15 (title unknown)
For those of you who can access BBC Prime, keep and eye out for Pat and Margaret on Thursday 22nd February at 23.00. It's a comedy where a Lancashire-born American soap star (Julie Walters) returns to Britain and is reunited on live TV with her long-lost sister, a motorway cafeteria waitress (Victoria Wood)
Money Kings will be shown on Premier3 on Saturday 17th February at midnight, and again on Premier1 in the early hours of Friday 23rd February at 01.05
UK Drama will be premiering Nice Town on Friday 23rd February. It will show all three episodes back-to-back at 21.00, 22.05 and 23.20 respectively. Great music too........
And finally, the credits for Adrian Mole and The Dwelling Place have now been added to the Mini-series section, and Complicity to the Films section
27th January 2001:
The second (and concluding) part of My Fragile Heart will be shown on ITV2 in the early hours of Sunday 28th January at 00.45
You can catch up with further exploits of Cadfael on the Hallmark channel, as follows:
- The Devil's Novice - Saturday 27th January at 21.00
- Title unknown - Saturday 3rd February at 21.00; later repeated in the early hours of Sunday 4th February at 04.30
Those glamourous Buccaneers are back on UK Drama:
- episode 1: Invasion - Monday 5th February at 21.00, later repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 6th February at 00.50
- episode 2: Conquest - Tuesday 6th February at 21.00, later repeated in the early hours of Tuesday 6th February at 01.10
- episode 3: Ambush - Tuesday 6th February at 22.10, later repeated in the early hours of Wednesday 7th February at 02.10
- episode 4: Capture - Wednesday 7th February at 21.00, later repeated in the early hours of Thursday 8th February at 01.10
- episode 5: Plunder - Wednesday 7th February at 22.10, later repeated in the early hours of Thursday 8th February at 02.15
Finally, I've now added The Sleeper to the Mini-series section
15th January 2001:
Here's to another new year!
Vampire's Kiss will be shown on MovieMax4 on Tuesday 16th January 2001 at 22.45; and then on MovieMax1 in the early hours of Friday 26th January at 01.25
ITV2 are about to show part 1 (of a 2 part drama) of My Fragile Heart in the early hours of Sunday morning 21st January at 00.30. It was first shown on ITV last September
Lastly, FilmFour are showing the 1987 film The Dumb Waiter in the early hours of Thursday 18th January at 01.50. It's probably the only time you'll get to see this film for a few years......