Main content

Laura Marling (the A-side)

4 Extra Debut. Laura Marling talks about her acclaimed third album, released in 2013, 'Once I Was An Eagle'. With John Wilson. From 2017.

Laura Marling talks about her acclaimed third album released in 2013, 'Once I Was An Eagle'.

Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.

Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.

In the A-side, Laura Marling. talks to John Wilson

Laura Marling was only 18 when she released her first album... only 21 one when she won the Brit Award for the Best British Female solo Artist... and only 23 when she released the album described as "a masterpiece, and... she's still only getting started" (The Daily Telegraph).

Produced by Ethan Johns, Once I Was An Eagle included tracks like Master Hunter, Where Can I Go? and Saved These Words, deemed to be "her most lyrically mature work... also the most musically satisfying" (The Independent). On the strength of this album she's been referred to as one of the "greatest singer-songwriters of both her generation and generations before it" (Clash Magazine)

In the B-side of the programme, it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions.

Producer: Paul Kobrak

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2017.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 9 Oct 2023 21:00

Broadcasts

  • Mon 2 Jan 2017 23:00
  • Mon 9 Oct 2023 21:00

Eight things we learned from Lily Allen’s Mastertapes

Eight things we learned from Lily Allen’s Mastertapes

We hear about the breakdown of her marriage, substance abuse… and socks

10 things we learned from Randy Newman’s Mastertapes

10 things we learned from Randy Newman’s Mastertapes

The legendary songwriter's interview with John Wilson is fascinating and very funny.

Mastertapes special: Paul McCartney

Mastertapes special: Paul McCartney

Watch a filmed version of Paul McCartney speaking to John Wilson about his career.

Live performances

Live performances

Watch and listen to exclusive live performances from the Mastertapes recordings.

Radio 4 on Music

Radio 4 on Music

Re-releasing music documentaries from the Radio 4 Archive.

Podcast