Jim Lawson

Born back in the mists of time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth…well, the year that Sir Edmund Hilary climbed Mt Everest, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and when Watson and Crick unravelled the structure of DNA, The Ancient One truly lives up to his name. After spending 33 years in teaching, the last 25 as Head of Biology, I successfully applied for early retirement (2008) and moved lock and stock (I didn’t possess any barrels at the time) to the beautiful Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland, to join my partner, The Landlady. (now known as Mrs Ancient One) As a retired person, I looked around the various voluntary openings that existed and one led me to the local radio station, Cuillin FM. I thought I might be able to help out sorting cds or something. Within a couple of weeks I was asked if I wanted to present a program and trained up as soon as I said “Yes”. Launched onto the airwaves was the show “Strangely Strange but Oddly Normal” and I was able to foist some of my shedload of music onto an unsuspecting public. From mainstream rock/folkrock the contents slowly evolved to full blown progressive rock with leanings towards the symphonic melodic areas. The title of the show also changed to “Strangely Strange and The Ancient One”, which initially confused listeners as they expected 2 presenters, and thus the show title was shortened to simply “The Ancient One”. The show has appeared onCuillin FM,North Highland Radio, Pipeline Radio International and. More Music Radio The Ancient One show on Progzilla Radio is a 3hr show going out fortnightly, (every Tuesday night at 21:00 UK) highlighting the best in progressive music, so expect lots of modern progressive music, but with the odd excursion back in time to the classic works of the late 60’s/early 70’s, all showing a more symphonic nature. Every 2nd Saturday at midday UK, there is the chance to hear an Ancient One Archive Show from 7 years ago, and every 5th Sunday between the hours of midnight and 02:00 UK, The Ancient One presents 101 Dimensions a show featuring ambient, electronica, krautrock and more with no mic work.

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Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 48

January 31, 2017

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for Edition 48 of The Ancient One is now available. Playlist Intro Samurai of Prog – Drottningholmsmusiken (Rockstenen) 1 After Crying – Pilgrim’s March (Almost Pure Instrumental) 2 The Aurora Project – Warmongers (World Of Grey) 3 Progression – Hobbit Hall (Noxologic) 4 This Winter Machine – The […]

Podcast:The Ancient One – Edition 47

January 13, 2017

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for Edition No 47 of The Ancient One is now available. This is a “Best of 2016” as chosen by Jim. Playlist 1 Aperco – The Battle. (The Battle) 2 Mike Kershaw – Gunning For The Gods. (What Lies Beneath) 3 Different Light – In The Grand Scheme […]

Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 46

December 31, 2016

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for Edition 46 of The Ancient One (the longer, multi-sectioned tracks) is now available. Playlist. 1 Magenta – Genetesis Parts 1-5 (Revolutions) 2 Argos – Nursed By Giants Parts 1-5 (Argos) 3 Horslips – The Book Of Invasions Parts 1-8 (The Book Of Invasions) 4 Neo Prophet – […]

Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 45

December 10, 2016

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for edition 45 of The Ancient One is mow available. Playlist 1 Grandval – A Ciel Ouvert…. (A Ciel Ouverte…..) 2 Pendragon – Queen Of Hearts (The World) 3 Paidarion Finlandia Project – Billy Would Climb (Two Worlds Encounter) 4 Citizen Cain – Serpents In Camouflage (Serpents In […]

Podcast:The Ancient One – Edition 44

November 26, 2016

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for edition 44 of The Ancient One is now available. Playlist 1 Beggar’s Opera – Time Machine (Waters Of Change) 2 Genesis – Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (Selling England By The Pound) 3 Family – Never Like This/See Through Windows/Peace of Mind (Music In A Dolls House) […]

Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 43

November 12, 2016

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for Edition 43 of The Ancient One is now available. The competition referred to during the show is now closed. Playlist 1 The Gift – Tuesdays Child (Why The Sea Is Salt) 2 Unreal City – Dell’Innocenza Perduta (La Crudelta Di April) 3 Patchwork Cacophony – Every Day […]

Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 42

October 29, 2016

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for edition No 42 of The Ancient One is now available. Playlist 1 Napier’s Bones – Wistman’s Wood (The Wistman Tales) 2 Verbal Delirium – Fear (The Imprisoned Words of Fear) 3 Toon Marten’s Project – Far Behind (TMP) 4 Brainticket – Dancing On A Volcano Pt 1 […]

Podcast:The Ancient One – Edition 41

October 15, 2016

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for Edition 41 of The Ancient One is now available. Playlist 1 Grus Paridae – Forthcoming Non Intellectual Decadence (single) 2 Mike Kershaw – A Kind Of Hell (This Long Night) 3 Minor Giant – On The Road (On The Road) 4 Citizen Cain – Harmless Criminal (Serpents […]

Podcast:The Ancient One – Edition 40

September 29, 2016

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for Edition 40 of The Ancient One is now available. Playlist 1 Erik Norlander El Gran Final (Surreal) 2 Genesis The Return Of The Giant Hogweed (Nursery Cryme) 3 Poor Genetic Material Absconded (Absence) 4 Kyros Cloudburst (extended single from Vox Humana) 5 The Emerald Dawn Beyond The […]

Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 39

September 17, 2016

I’m delighted to announce that the podcast for edition 39 of The Ancient One is now available. Playlist 1 Mist Season – Promenader (Rokstenen) 2 Anton Rolaart – The Plight Of Lady Oona (The Plight of Lady Oona) 3 Unitopia – Genesis Medley (Covered Mirror Vol 1) 4 Blank Manuskript – Death (Rokstenen) 5 Verbal […]