Happy Birthday, Bob

2015-05-24: Painting a musical portrait of Bob Dylan on the occasion of his 74th birthday, through the medium of his words, his music and the memories of his musical collaborators. Jarvis describes Robert Zimmerman's first performance at a school talent show; a young Bob discusses fame and the relationship between folk/rock; and producer Tom Wilson recalls when Dylan went electric. We visit Dylan's movie music, his Theme Time Radio Hour and other people's interpretations of his songs. On This Day, the first Eurovision Song Contest took place and the song Mary Had a Little Lamb was published. Birthdays: Little Nell, Kristin Scott Thomas, Harold Budd, Eric Cantona, Dermot O'Leary, Priscilla Presley and Daniel Fahrenheit.

Conny Plank, Erik Satie and Magna Carta

Jarvis Cocker and Cornelia Parker find his phrase ‘Common People’ on Magna Carta (An Embroidery). Photograph by Joseph Turp

2015-05-17: Remembering the musical talents of German music producer Conny Plank, and composer and 'velvet gentleman' Erik Satie. Jarvis mentions some upcoming live gigs, exhibitions and shows on BBC radio; celebrates Norway Day; and asks listeners to suggest a song that was sampled. This year is the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and we hear about an embroidered tribute to this document devised by artist Cornelia Parker which is on display at the British Library. Birthdays include Enya, Josh Homme, Dennis Hopper, Paul Whitehouse, Dennis Potter and Trent Reznor. Valete: BB King.

Life Is a Fairy Tale... Grimm

2015-05-10: Jarvis talks about a new translation of the original Grimm's Fairy Tales which has been published recently. It includes many of the original stories which were rewritten or cut out of later versions for being too unpleasant, weird or scary — Jarvis reads us one of them, Loyal Godfather Sparrow. Also: lots of new music, lesser-heard musical instruments, and the tomato: fruit or vegetable? Birthdays include Al Murray, Sid Vicious, Fred Astaire, Bert Weedon and Bono.

Live from Sheffield

2015-05-03: Live from the Winter Gardens in Sheffield with snooker legend Steve Davis and a studio audience. Jarvis talks about a big election that's coming up: the vote to discover Britain's favourite national bird. What bird can challenge the reigning robin? Guest Steve Davis chats about his career in snooker and his love of progressive rock, and recommends some weird and wonderful lesser-known records. (If you liked Steve's taste in music, he has his own radio programme, the Interesting Alternative Show on Phoenix 98 FM.) He also gives Jarvis some cueing coaching. Jarvis asks listeners to suggest songs that are to do with the colour black. Birthdays include Rob Brydon, Henry Cooper, Ken Hom, Virgil Fox, James Brown and Pete Seeger. 

Jarvis Celebrates Shakespeare, Giorgio Moroder and More

2015-04-26: Shakespeare was baptised on this day back in 1564, so much of the music in this show has a Shakespearean link. There are insights from a BBC documentary about the playwright, as well as clips from recordings and classic film versions of the works. Plus, there's a special spoken-word piece by Nick Cave, and some audio art pieces from an exhibition at Sheffield's Site Gallery. Birthdays include Giorgio Moroder, Ma Rainey and Duane Eddy.