There’s a theory I like that suggests why the nineteenth century is so rich in ghost stories and hauntings. Carbon monoxide poisoning from gas lamps.

Street lighting and indoor lighting burned coal gas, which is sooty and noxious. It gives off methane and carbon monoxide. Outdoors, the flickering flames of the gas lamps pumped carbon monoxide into the air—air that was often trapped low down in the narrow streets and cramped courtyards of industrial cities and towns. Indoors, windows closed against the chilly weather prevented fresh oxygen from reaching those sitting up late by lamplight.

Low-level carbon monoxide poisoning produces symptoms of choking, dizziness, paranoia, including feelings of dread, and hallucinations. Where better to hallucinate than in the already dark and shadowy streets of Victorian London? Or in the muffled and stifling interiors of New England?

Ghosts abounded—but were they real?

Praying for Ashley Young and James Milner’s hamstrings this morning are Marcus, Luke, Vish and Pete!

On today’s show, we look back on the Merseyside derby and wonder how we can access it via Phil Neville’s new VPN next time. Plus, Marcus continues to valiantly nail himself to the Harry Maguire mast, Andy Carroll is full of beef and gravy but still scores from 40 yards out in France, and Birmingham City fall foul of Ramble lore! Nice it!

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Luke and Andy roll out the red carpet for the Premier League’s post qualifiers return, but not before they pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton after his tragic passing. We remember his phenomenal talents on the pitch, as well as just how classy and affable he was off it. 

We also check in with his former team as Man United stumbled past Sheffield United, while Chelsea and Arsenal lovingly shared the points at the Bridge - as each goalkeeper tried to prove they’re more chaotic than the other. 

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Photographer Ellen von Unwerth talks burlesque, Britney and creating dreamworlds

September 15 – October 21, 2023

September 9 – October 7, 2023

Requiem for Louise

We were supposed to meet Louise Glück in New York, at the end of September, to see Verdi’s Requiem at the Met. My husband and I wanted to see Tannhäuser. Louise wanted to see the Requiem, and she was insistent. We decided to hear both, and I was tasked with procuring the tickets.

Louise clearly did not have faith in my ability to achieve this, and I received a number of anxious emails in the lead-up to the day on which individual tickets became available for sale. Would the seats be any good? What would they cost? And, once I had finally purchased the tickets: Now, where are we going to eat?

All summer long we exchanged emails in anticipation. Listening and listening to recordings, comparing our favorites. Louise told us about attending productions as a young girl, becoming enchanted with the music, the drama, and the atmosphere of opera. “I’ll restrain myself from singing along,” she said.