Author Archives: Paul Carr

Popular Music History: Merthyr Tydfil has a Place!

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Paul Carr

Well, after two years, one of my most gratifying publishing moments to date is to receive this edited collection today. It features six chapters, focusing on places such as Aberdare, Liverpool, Ebbw Vale, Birmingham, Liverpool and Merthyr Tydfil. I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Being Human, Merthyr, Merthyr Music Project, Musicology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Popular Music Education in Wales: Time to Move Forward. Tramshed Tech, Cardiff January 30th 2020 (9.30-4.30)

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Paul Carr

Wales has a unique landscape culturally, politically, linguistically and of course musically. Like other Small Nations, the country has a distinct set of challenges in order to ensure it exploits the full potential of music education. In terms of popular … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Musicology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Live Music Strategy For Cardiff: Lets Pay our Young Musicians

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Paul Carr

It was interesting to read the Sound Diplomacy recommendations into the ways in which Cardiff can become the UKs first music city. Firstly, I have to say, that if these recommendations are taken forward, there is no question they will … Continue reading →

Posted in Live Music, Music Industry, Musicology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Music Persona and Authenticity

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Paul Carr

In last weeks musicology session, we considered three main ways in which the person singing a song can be identified. These were The ‘Real’ Person/Performer singing/playing a song: For example David Jones, Reginald Kenneth Dwight, Gordon Sumner, Saul Hudson, The … Continue reading →

Posted in Musicology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Decline of Instrumental Tuition in Wales

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Paul Carr

Although it took place a few months ago, here are a few links related to the report I wrote a few months ago into the decline of instrumental teaching in Wales. The event took part at The Royal Welsh College … Continue reading →

Posted in Decline of Instrumental Tuition, Musicology | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Impact of Musical Environment on Lyrics and Meaning

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Paul Carr

This post is directed mainly to my undergraduate musicology students, but I am sure other readers will find it of interest to. This week in our class, we discussed the various ways in which the ‘musical environment’ (the sounds and … Continue reading →

Posted in guitar, Musicology | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Zappa at the Paris Philharmonie:Report and Some Questions

Posted on September 29, 2018 by Paul Carr

I have spent the last few days at a conference in Paris at the Paris de Philharmonie. Although I have not focused on Zappa’s work for a couple of years, it was great to reconnect again  with friends such as … Continue reading →

Posted in Frank Zappa, Musicology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sting: The Last Post

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Paul Carr

Well, after four years of discussions, public lectures and a number of book launches, I am now down to my last few days of engaging with my hometown of Newcastle, via the lens of Sting. I am looking forward to … Continue reading →

Posted in Musicology, Sting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sting Book Launches: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Paul Carr

Following on from the talks I have done in Newcastle and Bristol, during April, I have three talks coming up on my Sting book – from Northern Skies to Fields of Gold. The first is at Birmingham City University – … Continue reading →

Posted in Musicology, Sting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

History of Popular Music in Merthyr Tydfil Exhibition: Thanks!

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Paul Carr

Well, after around two years of planning, interviewing many community members and collating close to 200 photographs, the Lost History of Popular Music in Merthyr Tydifil Exhibition at the Redhouse is in its last week of a one month run. … Continue reading →

Posted in Merthyr, Musicology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment