Tag Archives: popular music

Nostalgia and Popular Music: Words vs Music

Posted on March 9, 2025 by Paul Carr

I spent some time a couple of weeks ago recording a publicity video for a forthcoming talk and performance I have at Rhosygilwen. This will be the first public talk I have done since I retired as a full time … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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Merthyr Tydfil and Popular Music: Celebrating a Rich Musical History

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Paul Carr

As I mentioned in my last post, we launched the #merthyrpop exhibition last week. Here are a few more photos of the event, featuring some of the speakers and community members This was followed by the first week that the … Continue reading →

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Past and Present: Local Music Making and the Politics of Popular Music

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Paul Carr

The Red House (Town Hall), Merthyr Tydfil Saturday 27th January 2018, 11am- 4.30pm, Followed by Exhibition Launch Join us for a free one-day research and industry event marking the launch of a one-month exhibition celebrating the hidden history of popular … Continue reading →

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Being Human Festival in Merthyr Tydfil: Lost Musical Histories

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Paul Carr

I really enjoyed my talk yesterday as one of seven other projects that have been chosen to highlight some of the fantastic work taking place in this year’s Being Human Festival. The festival, taking place between November 17th – 25th,  … Continue reading →

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Popular Music Authenticity Part 2

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Paul Carr

Prompted by a recent report into the perceived authenticity of Seasick Steve, I have been prompted to think about the ways in  which authenticity resonates both positively and negatively with other artists. So, starting with Seasick Steve himself, here is … Continue reading →

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What is Authenticity in Popular Music?

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Paul Carr

I have had an interesting debate this week about the nature of authenticity in popular music – prompted by the recent revelations that Seasick Steve, the bastion of authenticity for many, turned out to be a session musician who lied … Continue reading →

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Pink Floyd in Merthyr Part 2

Posted on August 14, 2016 by Paul Carr

Off the back of my last post on Pink Floyd playing at The Castle Cinema in Merthyr Tydfil on December 9th 1967, it appears that this would have been one of the last gigs that Syd Barrett played with the … Continue reading →

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Critical Listening and Students: Popular Music and Form

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Paul Carr

In preparation for a musicology lecture this week, I began to think about the importance of students having an awareness of the general conventions in popular music. Factors such as an awareness of the commonality of eight bar sections (verses … Continue reading →

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