SOME REVIEWS OF
DOCUMENTARIES ON BBC

Maids – the Untold Story. BBC World Service

Kampfner gave a strong sense of purpose as she searched out stories of maids’ lives in Singapore and Hong Kong for her first of two programmes. None of this material was easy to listen to, even in Hong Kong which gives some legal protection to domestic servants, and much of it was downright grim. Only Kampfner’s voice, an unusual sensual treat, blending soft, confident and just a tiny bit hesitant, was alluring. That, and journalism in its most admirable mode.

– The Guardian

Randy Newman’s America – 2 Parts BBC Radio 2 (reporter, producer Kampfner)

[Randy Newman] is the answer to most problems in life. His songs have got me through darker days that these and I enjoy his interviews almost as much as his music. Acerbic, generous, romantic, truthful, there’s not much that passes Newman by. In the first part of Randy Newman’s America, his two-part interview with Judith Kampfner on Radio 2, he used his piano to answer some of her questions. He sang. His voice – always creaky, almost crackling now – is more direct when solo, without his record’s swooning orchestration. “Goodbye old man, goodbye. You wanna stay, I know you do, but it ain’t no need to try.

Cos I’ll be here and I’m just like you, goodbye old man, goodbye…” I was in bits. At the end, Newman said: “I screwed up a little bit there. It’s a very good song, I think.” I think so too.

Kampfner was respectful, well researched and knew when to stop talking…

He talked about Christianity and his favourite gospel music (“atheists are throwing little sticks against the battleship in terms of…feel”), picked through racism (it’s not a surprise that many black people don’t like white people”), played parts of songs he’d edited out. He looked America in the eye and acknowledged its faults. “It’s like the civil war never ended at the moment.” The truth, honestly told, is rarely comfortable. But it is a comfort. I’ve saved listening to part two for the weekend as a treat.”

– The Observer

Tuning into the Enemy. BBC Radio 4

“Extraordinarily powerful radio. At its heart it had a terrific story to tell: the reconciliation of Paul Erasmus, a former member of the South African secret police and Roger Lucey, a musician banned and persecuted under the regime….Kampfner’s excellent programme highlighted the tremendous generosity of forgiveness.”

– The Guardian

Wheels and Stones. BBC Radio 3

“A lesson in composing radio features. Producer and presenter Judith Kampfner has the knack of building layers and textures without the finished programme ever feeling pretentious or unfriendly. Instead, it has a quiet richness.” 

– The Guardian

Lou Reed: Walking the Wild Mind BBC Radio 4

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/lou-reed-demo-m-waiting-120316566.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIvqbQoG-xQyhS0vmN1KUc5t7KbvJCBecaw4K5Qmmle5bqhFYfqNpqx6qMYDW2ACS-bXIRLvGQb2DZyB2T4xfEFRBiJNALtfmU5ZKu-cPE9Ynuq42_X7RgkE8iu_gbk7WeS3vedLG4IZA76Bp2zu8GNLvo9D26uVkLEcIC_7Avve