Damon Albarn's new composition to hit BBC airwaves

Damon Albarn's newest composition, named "2LO London Calling" has hit the airwaves across 55 BBC Radio stations globally at 5:33pm , on Wednesday, November 14th 2012.  The new song has played across national radio, World Service and the local UK radio stations to mark the 90th anniversary of the BBC yesterday.

Damon created a comissioned musical collage for this special event. It was a mixture of soundbites of radio listeners from all ages all across the UK. More information was revealed via The Guardian's feature:

Albarn's creation, called 2LO London Calling (named after the original 2LO transmitter) is an unconventional affair, featuring Big Ben, bird song and a quote from philosopher Bertrand Russell, relayed in morse code.

It will also feature excerpts from the original broadcast on 14 November 1922 as well as the Greenwich Time Signal "pips".

The broadcast will be "hosted" by Radio 2 DJ Simon Mayo during his drivetime show, live from the Science Museum in west London.

The one-off broadcast, the first time such a wide-ranging simulcast has been attempted by the BBC, could be heard by an estimated 80 million listeners around the world. 

Listen below for Damon Albarn's new song debut. It is an interesting piece of audio, and sounds like a mixture of messages from across the times.

After all, the estimated audience worldwide for the stream was 120 million and each has heard Damon Albarn's 3 minute composition. We particularly liked the ending when music started and the speaking stopped.

Listen and watch the full Damon Albarn interview about his project, inspiration, process and excerpt from the special radio program below. He explains how he tried to collate the soundbites and what it means for him. He even talked a little about Nigeria and his feelings on each sound on the track.

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Damon Albarn to compose tune for BBC's 90th anniversary

So after the remarkable Africa Express finale two days ago, we've got once again some new Albarn news. And it's big.

Damon Albarn, who seems to be gaining more and more collaborative opportunities (including with Sir Paul McCartney) after Blur's successful Hyde Park concert, will curate 'Radio Reunited', an event to celebrate 90 years since the British Broadcasting Company BBC transmitted it's first show via radio.

What an honour it must be for Damon to be chosen, amongst all the other musicians in England.  He completes Africa Express.

Digitalspy reports on the juicy details:

Radio Reunited will air across all local, network and national BBC stations, along with the World Service; reaching a potential global audience of 120m people. 

The three-minute transmission will be based on recorded messages from listeners around the world on the theme of the future. 

Each of the around 60 participating BBC radio stations will select one message from their listeners, and then these will be mixed together and set to a score composed by Blur frontman Albarn. 

He said: "I love the idea of stations across Britain and the World Service coming together, with all of our different lives and circumstances, even if it's only for a few minutes. It's a powerful idea." 

The landmark BBC broadcast will form the centrepiece for the BBC's celebration of 90 years on the airwaves, along with a range of special programming planned across BBC stations 

The process of pulling together Radio Reunited starts this week, when listeners will be invited to contribute a short messages to their favourite BBC station, addressing the future generations who may be listening to radio 90 years from now. 

Graham and Damon on BBC's Steve Lamacq show

Blur have had a long standing relationship with the BBC - airing new debuts...interviews

One message from a lucky listener will be sent to Damon Albarn from each station. He will then string them together into a unique 3 minute composition which will be played on air. It's the idea of bringing together each and every single radio station from BBC, to celebrate the company's long history.

So, first Blur at the Olympics, then now this grand, large scale production ? Damon Albarn seems to be getting the best of all worlds in 2012. That's why he's looking very pleased with himself these days!











Radio Reunited will be held on November 14th, at 5:33pm GMT. Remember to tune into this exciting show online at BBC.co.uk and listen to Damon debut his new song.