Main content
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - The Art of Backing Vocals
From 50s doo-wop, via The Beatles, to multi-tracked Joni Mitchell, Nick Barraclough celebrates the unsung singers. From 2009.
Nick Barraclough pushes aside the lead singer and delves into the world of the backing singer.
With the help of musicians, composers, and vocalists, he draws a straight line from the medieval canon to 50s doo-wop, celebrating the innovations of The Beatles and the multi-tracked world, inhabited by the likes of Joni Mitchell, along the way.
Producer: John Leonard
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.
Last on
Wed 8 May 201901:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra
Broadcasts
- Sat 23 May 200910:30BBC Radio 4
- Thu 24 Sep 200911:30BBC Radio 4
- Fri 4 Dec 201506:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 4 Dec 201513:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 4 Dec 201520:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 5 Dec 201501:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 7 May 201906:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 7 May 201913:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 7 May 201920:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Wed 8 May 201901:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
Featured in...
![]()
Seriously Soulful—Seriously...
Moving stories of magical musicians - from the fifth Beatle to the first lady of jazz.


