Gary Davies

Ray Davies published a memoir chronicling his life-long affair with America in 2013. Naturally, it was called Americana, and that's also the title of this 2017 musical adaptation of the book. Davies plays a little fast and loose with his facts, which is perhaps a detriment in an autobiography but suits the condensed nature of songwriting. He doesn't tell a story with Americana – it's not a song cycle along the lines of Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) – but rather offers a series of vignettes, some torn from the pages of his book, others expanding upon its themes. Images of highways, cowboys, and movies dance through the songs, as do sly allusions to the Kinks.

This fascinating program tells the story of the music and artists that have influenced Bob Dylan throughout his career. Although his reputation as a songwriter stands supreme, Dylan has often covered tracks from vintage blues, folk and country performers or incorporated elements from them into his own material…

Every episode of BBC Radio 2’s popular Sounds Of The 80s show takes listeners on a journey back to a well-loved decade with its distinctive musical landscape. Hosted by Gary Davies (and formerly Sara Cox) the show delves into the various genres that made the 80’s so musically diverse from classic and alternative pop to rock, dance and hip-hop. UMC and the BBC have teamed up to compile a set of official Sounds Of The 80s branded collections that will showcase the decade’s fabulous sounds in three bite-size chunks. Each carefully compiled 3CD album will include UK Chart smash hits taken from every major music catalogue including Universal, Sony, Warner and BMG to do the show and the decade the justice it deserves. I Think We’re Alone Now celebrates the biggest and best hits from the last three years of the decade and features the likes of New Order, The Bangles, Boy George, The Stranglers, Terence Trent D’Arby and many more…