Natalie Merchant (the A-Side)

Natalie Merchant discusses 'Tigerlily', her 1995 solo album made after leaving 10,000 Maniacs. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.In the A-side, Natalie talks to John Wilson. Completely self-funded (to ensure creative control),'Tigerlily' went on the sell over 5 million copies and continues to be Natalie Merchant's most successful album to date. Its bold and stripped down sound gave more emphasis to her powerful and often personal lyrics, including 'Beloved Wife' (inspired by her grandfather's grief in the wake of her grandmother's passing) and 'River' (written in response to the sudden and untimely death of her friend River Phoenix). The album also included the top-40 singles 'Wonder' and 'Jealousy', as well as her first top-ten hit as a solo artist, 'Carnival'.In the B-side of the programme, it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions.Producer: Paul KobrakFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2013.