Countdown

Admin Post
Bit of a catch-up: more soon x 

Look under the cut for the link, 
and remember: xx → tt


Summer-Autumn 2017 Guest Presenters 
2017-07-09 Sparks sit in
2017-07-16 Peter Perrett sits in
2017-07-30 Amy Lame sits in 1 (Loud and Proud)
2017-08-06 Bobby Friction sits in 1
2017-08-13 Bobby Friction sits in 2
2017-08-20 Bobby Friction sits in 3
2017-08-27 Amy Lame sits in 2
2017-09-03 Michael Kiwanuka sits in 1
2017-10-08 Alexei Sayle sits in
2017-10-15 Josie Long sits in
2017-11-05 Sam Mendes sits in
2017-11-12 Russell Crowe sits in
2017-11-19 Cillian Murphy sits in
2017-11-26 Sam Taylor-Johnson sits in
If it's in red, I'm afraid that means it won't be added to this Archive.

Scott Walker Prom 
2017-07-23 Extra: Max Richter's Introduction to the Scott Walker Prom
2017-07-23 Scott Walker
2017-07-25 Extra: The Scott Walker Prom

Jarvis's Last Hurrah
Coming soon: 
2017-12-03 Miranda July
2017-12-10 Meditating Upon The KLF
2017-12-17 The Age of Earthquakes
2017-12-24 A Festive Sunday Service
2017-12-28 (Thursday) Extra: REPEAT of the Scott Walker Prom
2017-12-31 A Look Back at 2017 and Beyond (final show)

Josie Long Sits In

2017-10-15: Josie Long sits in, playing music that makes her heart sing. Josie is the host of another BBC radio gem called Short Cuts: if you enjoy thoughtful narration, fascinating stories and bewitching soundscapes, you're in for a treat. (Thoroughly recommended!) 

Alexei Sayle Sits In

2017-10-08: Alexei Sayle sits in, spinning songs and telling stories. You can catch Alexei in the upcoming second series of his radio comedy Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar (and for more surreal sandwich philosophising, why not try his identically titled new book).

Amy Lamé Sits In

2017-07-30: Amy Lamé sits in. As part of BBC 6 Music's Loud and Proud season, she takes a look at the anthems — both underground and mainstream — that drove the LGBT+ liberation movement. She also chats to writer Martin Aston about how gay music-makers have had a DNA-level involvement in popular music throughout its history. 

The Scott Walker Prom

BBC Radio 3 | 2017-07-25: Prom 15: The Songs of Scott Walker (1967-70). Live from the Royal Albert Hall, a celebration of the extraordinary early solo career of Scott Walker. A 1960s icon, Scott Walker has progressed from Walker Brothers teen idol to avant-garde contemporary musician. His music has influenced a wide range of artists such as David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and Goldfrapp. This Late Night Prom presents tracks from his four self-titled albums with live orchestral backing for the very first time. Jules Buckley and the Heritage Orchestra pay tribute, along with star guests. 

Performers: Jarvis Cocker, John Grant, Richard Hawley, Susanne Sundfør. Orchestra: Heritage Orchestra. Conductor: Jules Buckley. Presenter: Stuart Maconie. 

Scott Walker (2)

2017-07-23: Jarvis welcomes elusive singer-songwriter Scott Walker back to the Sunday Service, ahead of the Late Night Prom The Songs of Scott Walker, which took place at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 25 July. 

Max Richter's Introduction to the Scott Walker Prom

BBC 6 Music | 2017-07-23: Max Richter's Introduction to the Scott Walker Prom. Composer Max Richter maps out the meeting points between Scott Walker's songs and his instrumental music; and considers how these join up with other types of experimental music, both pop and contemporary classical. 

Peter Perrett Sits In

2017-07-16: Peter Perrett sits in. He shares stories about life on the road and explains why his selections mean so much to him. The Only Ones frontman talks about his newly-released solo album, How the West Was Won, on which he collaborated with his talented sons. 

Sparks Sit In (2)

Sparks sit in while Jarvis is away. Brothers Ron and Russell Mael show off gems from their expansive record collection and also unearth some great vintage advertising jingles.

From Manchester with Love

2017-07-02: Jarvis broadcasts live from the Manchester International Festival. Featuring:

• Music for a Busy City: site-specific sound installations created for six spaces around Manchester.

• Left over from last week: two newlyweds share their first dance at Glastonbury; the murmur of the Pyramid Stage crowd listening to politician Jeremy Corbyn. Also, born on this day: Peter Kay.

• Artist Phil Collins discusses his work Ceremony, about Friedrich Engels and his 20 years in Manchester. Phil retrieved an abandoned Soviet-era statue of Karl Marx's collaborator and took it on tour, allowing workers here and abroad to 'meet' him before installing it in Manchester.

• Factory Records graphic designer Peter Saville talks about the True Faith exhibition, which explores the visual identity of New Order and Joy Division and the wealth of art their music has inspired.

• Also at MIF 2017: No End to Enderby, a celebration of the work of writer Anthony Burgess; dance production Available Light; and Ride.

• Karl Hyde of Underworld describes his involvement in theatre performance Fatherland, which is about the expectations and experience of fatherhood.

(Jarvis announced that he will be taking another sabbatical...)

Roving Around Glastonbury

2017-06-25: It's time to head southwest to Avalon, or the Isle of Glass, for some Glastonbury magic. First we're immersed in some of the history and mythology surrounding the site and the festival. Then we grab our wet wipes, wellies and cagoules and embark on an audio ramble around Worthy Farm. Jarvis conveys some of the atmosphere and chats with happy, glittery festival-goers in the fields and backstage. Then he leads us to the Stone Circle and a pop-up peace garden for a mellow moment. Throughout, we get to hear plenty of music from lesser-known acts playing the festival this year. Birthdays: Carly Simon (linking her stammer and creativity), George Michael (on the event that unlocked his love of music), Peter Blake (long-time beard-sporter) and Ricky Gervais (remembering when his teen rebellion was thwarted by his mum).

James Rhodes

2017-06-18: Pianist James Rhodes joins Jarvis to talk about his documentary, Geeking Glenn Gould. A lifelong fan of the Canadian classical superstar, James enthuses about Gould's recordings and genius musical mind; his prescient understanding of the future for recorded music; and his revolutionary approach to Bach. James remembers when he first became entranced by Gould, and affirms how lucky he felt to make this programme about his idol. Jarvis also asks James about his own unorthodox approach to performing and his passion for demystifying the culture of classical. Plus: an astrophysicist enables us to hear a solar flare; Sally Ride became the first US woman to launch into space, this day in 1983; Kraftwerk; and Canada 150 with Robert Lepage. And Jarvis pays tribute to the late Adam West, who was his childhood hero as Batman. Birthdays: Paul McCartney (we hear his advice to young musicians). 

James Rhodes' Spotify playlist of essential classical music is at bit.do/instrumental

A Surrealist Sunday Service

2017-06-11: Don your diving helmet and aqualung, and plunge into the depths for an encounter with 'the marvellous'. Jarvis marks the anniversary of the 1936 London International Surrealist Exhibition. Archive news reports recall the controversy surrounding the event; documentary clips tell how the artworks, found objects and 'primitive' pieces were brought together; and a lady remembers witnessing Dalí nearly dying in a diving suit as he prepared to lecture. The Surrealists used their art to access dreams and the unconscious: an unexplored part of reality. In that spirit, Jarvis tries creating his own expressive Surrealist sound piece with cut-up tape recordings courtesy of William S Burroughs. Birthdays: Barry Adamson (praising Bernard Herrmann), Jacques Cousteau (an Undersea World clip), Gene Wilder (Francophile) and Pete Murphy (on Bauhaus's greatest hit). 

A Virtual Primavera

2017-06-04: Jarvis treats us to a virtual tour of Primavera Sound. Jetting over to Barcelona, we get right into the festival vibe, exploring the concrete wonderland of Parc del Fòrum and enjoying bands playing Primavera this year. We learn a little about the city: Jarvis tells us about their football team, and muses on Orwell's Homage to Catalonia and the Spanish Civil War. He also contemplates Sagrada Família and visits his favourite Barceloní music shop, Wah Wah Records. Plus: an eyewitness remembers Emily Davison's notorious suffragette protest on this day in 1913; a landmark concert for The Clash; and listeners are asked for stories of discovering records on holiday. Birthdays: Russell Brand (on sampling the atmosphere pre-performance), David Yip (reading a poem) and Morgana King.

A Self-Help Cosmic Journey

2017-05-28: Imagine your couch has turned into a spacecraft and let Jarvis guide you on a self-help cosmic journey, exploring inner and outer space as we question our place in the universe. Featuring intriguing excerpts from Walker Percy's book Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book. Along the way, we encounter a tap dancing Thora Hird; Cold War commotion with the aviator who landed in Red Square; a super-serene Jeff Bridges; and a thriller writer's lively appetite for scrambled eggs. Birthdays: Thora Hird, Ian Fleming, Walker Percy and György Ligeti (a unique choral composer). 

The Liverpool Mass and Rousseau's Dream

2017-05-21: Body art, a modernist Mass and a mesmerising painting… On 13th May, Jarvis introduced Pierre Henry's inaugural Mass at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. 50 years later than originally planned, the pioneering work by the musique concrète composer was staged in the space by his collaborator Thierry Balasse and arts organisation Bluecoat — we hear all about the event. During his trip, Jarvis was given a book which got him thinking about music and mysticism. Urging us to gaze at Henri Rousseau's painting The Dream, he reads the bewitching poem Yadwigha, On a Red Couch, Among Lilies by Sylvia Plath. Plus: notes from The Ivors awards; and on this day The Empire Strikes Back was released and two landmark solo Atlantic flights were taken. Birthdays: Noel Fielding (on tennis), Henri Rousseau, Martin Carthy ('I don't do jolly'), Mr T and Fats Waller.

Rodney Graham

2017-05-14: Artist and musician Rodney Graham joins Jarvis as a major new retrospective of his work opens at the Baltic in Gateshead. Jarvis recalls his first encounter with Rodney's music at a gallery, and how exciting it was to discover an artist who combined the worlds of art and pop music. He asks Rodney about his time in bands when he was starting out, his recently released album Gondoliers, his influences including Bob Dylan, writer's block and why Rodney returned to music after a long break. They also discuss the exhibition's title, That's Not Me, and how Rodney would describe himself to a customs officer. Birthdays: Bobby Darin, Sofia Coppola, David Byrne (on songwriting with irony) and Mark Zuckerberg (on the importance of friendship).

Sleep Until the Dawn Comes

2017-05-07: Last night (6th May), Jarvis attended a performance of Max Richter's project 'Sleep' at Old Billingsgate Market in London. He aims to give us a flavour of the event, describing the atmosphere, sharing conversations with musicians and audience members, and ending with a drowsy meeting with Max in the morning. Max talks about the challenge of keeping in time with the slow tempo and explains how the ensemble keeps going for eight hours. This is all interspersed with somnolent music and poems, a previous interview with Max, and extracts from the radio play The Dreams. Later, we are roused by clips from International Dawn Chorus Day over on Radio 4, with a poem about the dew, an account of medieval sleep patterns and a star-fade song for the larks. Birthdays: Matt Helders, Anne Dudley (on orchestration) and Michael Rosen (midnight feasting).

Spring Cleaning

2017-04-30: Jarvis decides it's high time for a spring clean. He ventures into an attic untouched for 15 years, sifting through records and books of poems to dust off hidden treasures. He also sorts out mislaid bags of records brought home from work and plays the new music he's discovered. Alongside this, we think about: the Gaelic May Day festival of Beltane; Honesty Day; poetry; and the best music to accompany a tidying spree. Birthdays: Alice B Toklas, Serafina Steer, Tony Harrison and Jane Campion (with dialogue from her Keats biopic Bright Star). 

Cosey Fanni Tutti

2017-04-23: Cosey Fanni Tutti drops by. The industrial music pioneer and avant-garde performance artist describes creating experimental music with Throbbing Gristle and Chris & Cosey. She talks about drawing inspiration from her work as a striptease artiste and model, and about the controversy that beset her Prostitution show at the ICA in 1976. She also relates how she came to write her autobiography, Art Sex Music (in that order). And, as the London Marathon took place today, the listeners suggest motivational exercise tunes. Birthdays: Roy Orbison (on realising his voice was memorable), Bryce and Aaron Dessner, Michael Moore (explaining what pushes him to make his films) and Iggy Pop this week.

An Easter Sunday Service

2017-04-16: Happy Easter, everyone! Jarvis sings an Easter hymn he remembers from his schooldays. While this is a deeply spiritual time for some, for others it's all about the eggs — we hear some facts and music savouring of chocolate. From Easter 2010, there's a clip of Peter Blake telling Jarvis about his Sgt Pepper's album cover design. During an angelic track, we hear some poems written by children on the subject of spring. Plus, a reminder of Record Store Day, and a nod to the beautiful music of the film Barry Lyndon. Birthdays: Dusty Springfield (talking about identity), Joan Bakewell (wishing she could sing), Henry Mancini and Herbie Mann.

Playtime with Jarvis, with Steven Johnson

2017-04-09: Inspired by his conversation with Brian Eno, Jarvis invites Steven Johnson to talk about his book Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World. Steven tells Jarvis about how leaps forward in human knowledge have often come through our love of fun, creativity and entertainment. He starts with ancient music, bone flutes and the link between chanting and language. He shows the direct line from music boxes and player pianos to programmable music and computation. He describes how a moment of childish delight led Charles Babbage to conceive of the computer, and considers the wide-reaching influence of Daphne Oram. Looms, typewriters, calculators, bitcoin — Steven explains how technological and cultural innovation is often driven by our urge to make new music. Birthdays: Charles Baudelaire, Tom Lehrer, Hugh Hefner (making excuses), Valerie Singleton (reluctant convent girl), Seve Ballesteros (remembered by caddie Dave Musgrove) and Carl Perkins. Valete: Alessandro Alessandroni.

King Creosote Sits In

King Creosote (AKA Kenny Anderson) sits in, playing some of his favourite songs and reflecting on the recent BBC 6 Music Festival in Glasgow. 

Where Are We Now?

Admin Post
Sorry it has been a bit quiet around here recently.  After a hectic few months IRL, I've been giving the Archive a spring clean!  Here is a list of all the excellent episodes coming soon x

Look under the cut for the link, 
and remember: xx → tt

Note  Sorry: if you have already grabbed the 'New Old Shows' would you mind doing so again?  I've upped some better quality versions now, a little less buzzy!  The new zip files have a '2' at the end.  


New Old Shows
2016-11-27 Jim Jarmusch
2016-12-04 The Sundaze Service
2016-12-11 Nik Cohn
2016-12-18 How to Paint a Perfect Christmas
2016-12-25 A Seasonal Sunday Service
2017-01-01 Brian Eno (4) - ambient music
2017-01-08 Bowie Highlights

Missing Stuff
2017-01-15 John Cooper Clarke sits in
2017-01-22 John Cooper Clarke sits in
2017-01-29 John Cooper Clarke sits in
2017-02-05 Michael Kiwanuka sits in 1
2017-02-12 Michael Kiwanuka sits in 2
2017-02-19 Michael Kiwanuka sits in 3
I'm afraid that sadly I didn't manage to hear any of these, so they will not be added.

Back into the Swing of Things
Look out for:
2017-04-02 King Creosote sits in
2017-04-09 Playtime with Jarvis
2017-04-16 An Easter Sunday Service
2017-04-23 Cosey Fanni Tutti
2017-04-30 Spring Cleaning
2017-05-07 Sleep Until the Dawn Comes
2017-05-14 Rodney Graham

Bowie Highlights

In honour of what would've been David Bowie's 70th birthday, Jarvis presents some of the best Bowie bits from past episodes of the Sunday Service.

(Including Michael Clark, Paul Morley, Speed of Life and 2013.)

Brian Eno (4) - ambient music

2017-01-01: Brian Eno welcomes Jarvis to his studio to talk about his album Reflection. First, Jarvis recreates the moment Brian's concept of ambient music was born — with a nod to an earlier version of the idea, Erik Satie's 'furniture music'. Then over tea, Brian talks about his first ambient album, Music for Airports; his working process and techniques; and his fascination with the interplay between new technology and human creativity. He also emphasises the value of optimism in uncertain, revolutionary times — and the importance of experimentation and play. Then we explore more from the world of ambient music — Jarvis mentions the book/CD Ocean of Sound by David Toop. Lastly, we hear about Brian's software that recycles lyrics into profound new combinations. 

A Seasonal Sunday Service

2016-12-25: A festive show featuring cracker jokes, jingling bells and clips from this year's Sunday Service. This year, Jarvis spoke to Yuval Noah Harari; Richard Hines; Ralph Rugoff; Adam Curtis; Paul Morley; and Marina Abramovic. Do you remember: playing a record using the new fiver; experimental music for cats; an extract from Stephen Hawking's Reith Lecture; and "O" by Jim Jarmusch/Preservation. There's also a chance to hear for the first time on the Sunday Service some clips that were previously cut for time: Leonard Cohen discussing religion; and a salty anecdote by David Bowie from his early career. Finally, a special present for the listeners — a New Year new song recorded by Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley. Merry Christmas everyone!

How to Paint a Perfect Christmas

2016-12-18: Too stressed to feel Christmassy? Jarvis is here to help, providing an oasis of calm amidst this festive madness — songs themed around shopping, seeing a show (remember to switch off your phone), putting up the tree, over-indulging and new year's resolutions. There's life advice from Lemmy Kilmister and a guided yoga meditation. Jarvis does two readings: How to Paint a Perfect Christmas by Miroslav Holub, and Ballad of the Breadman by Charles Causley. And listeners suggest an unusual version of a well-known Christmas song.

Nik Cohn

2016-12-11: Jarvis is joined by writer Nik Cohn, talking about the new edition of his classic Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: Pop from the Beginning. First published in 1969, the book aimed to capture the spirit of rock in the late 1960s; the result is an unruly, thrilling and definitive history of an era, from Bill Haley to Jimi Hendrix. Nik also discusses how pop developed in the decades post-publication. Meanwhile, Jarvis refers to the events Cafe Improv and Letters Live — he reads out an insightful letter by Hunter S Thompson about how a man finds a goal. The listeners are asked for our favourite B-sides.

The Sundaze Service

2016-12-04: Are you feeling it? As the BBC's My Generation season reaches 1989, Jarvis takes us on a trip to a virtual acid house rave. We travel there by car following dubious directions, climb up a hill to join the party, avoid throwing a whitey, and feel bliss in the chillout zone. The whole adventure is tied together with evocative extracts from Fierce Dancing by CJ Stone. There's also a clip about the aftermath of a party, acted out by Jarvis and Padgett Powell. And we consider the legacy of this innovative producer-led music and its influence on the electronic music of today.