A Tale of Two Schools: Spencer Park & Elliott

Presenters: Rita Ray & Anabel Provansal

Two schools in Wandsworth are responsible for nurturing a remarkable number of musicians and bands, Spencer Park in Battersea and Elliot School in Roehampton, now Ark Academy Putney. Spencer Park ex-pupils Dennis Bovell and Julian Joseph share tales of the inspiring musical culture of the school; along with Noel McKoy, celebrated soul singer (1961-2022); and Chris Johnson, Head of Music in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. The story of Elliot School’s phenomenal list of students who went on to be well known musicians in the world of pop and rock is told by two of them, drummer Ed Spevcock (1960/70’s ) & Emma Smith (1990 into the noughties).

Podcast Music Playlist

Matumbi - Ajahli (1980)

Dennis Bovell - Running Away (1980)

1910 Fruitgum Company - Simple Simon Says - (1968)

Marie Pierre - Choose Me (1979)

Investigators – Doubts to the Wind

The Louisville Leopard Percussionists - Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne) (2018)

Tokyo Groove Jyoshi (feat. Juna Serita & Harumo Imai) - Funk No.1 (2021)

The Pasadenas - Tribute (Right On) (1988)

JTQ with Noel McKoy - Love the Life (1993)

Noel Mc Koy and The Albians - The People/Dub (1979)

Boulez conducts Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring (Manhattan Center, NYC, January 1975)

Dennis Bovell - Row, Row, Row (1978)

Julian Joseph Jay Lingston & Ray Evans - Never Let Me Go (1995)

Matumbi - Wishing on a Star (2005)

Julian Joseph - The Six (Live) at the Vortex (2011)

Dennis Bovell - Mek It Run (Run Rasta Run) (2012)

Babe Ruth - Gimmie Some Leg (Live Version) (1974)

Pete Green’s Fleetwood Mac - Albatross (1968)

Burial - Southern Comfort (2005)

Pete Browns Piblokto with Ray Williams, Phil Ryan, Richie Francis and Ed Spevock - Live in France 1971

Jeff Beck Group (feat Max Middleton on keyboards) - You Know What I Mean (1975)

Pete Green’s Fleetwood Mac - Oh Well, Pt. 1 (1969)

Bee Gees - World (1967)

The Amboy Dukes - Who's Fooling Who (1967)

The Cream - Tales Of Brave Ulysses (1967)

Babe Ruth - Gimmie Some Leg (Live Version) (1974)

Jimmy Cliff - Wild World (Composer/Lyricist: Yusuf/ Cat Stevens) (1970)

Miriam Makeba - Umqokozo (Live At Rosies,2004 North Sea Jazz Festival)

Jarvis Cocker - Outro for Pulp at Glastonbury 2025 (Live)

Elysian Quartet & Kae Tempest - Where the Heart is (BBC Radio3 Late Junction Session 2013))

Hot Chip - Over and Over (2024) - live at Tiny Desk Concert

Dragonforce ft. Alissa White-Gluz and Herman Li - Burning Heart (2025)

Fridge (Adem Ilhan, Kieran Hebden and Sam Jeffers) - Anglepoised (1997/8)

Four Tet (Kieran Hebden) - ID2 (2011)

Geese (Emma Smith and Vincent Sipprell) - Fog-Sea (2012)

Hot Chip - Night And Day (2023) Live on KCRW.1

So Solid Crew - 21 Seconds to Go (2001)

Elysian Quartet - String Quartet No. 2 III. Fragile (Hot Chip Remix) (2020)

The XX - Islands (2009)

The Maccabees - Toothpaste Kisses (2007)