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). 

This Is Water

2016-02-21: Jarvis talks about last week's BBC 6 Music Festival; and tells us that artist Elizabeth Peyton is in the studio painting him at work. The first Polaroid camera was revealed today in 1947. We hear the traits of Pisces. As David Foster Wallace was born on this day, Jarvis reads excerpts from This Is Water, a speech that he made in 2005 about living a compassionate life. There's a section about the humble telephone, in honour of the first phone directory being issued this day in 1878. Today in 1958, the CND peace symbol was designed. And with the Brit Awards approaching, Jarvis recalls the notorious 1996 ceremony and tells us how David Bowie intervened to restore his reputation. Plus, what piece of music scared or unsettled the listeners when we were children? Birthdays: Johnny Echols, Douglas Bader, WH Auden (Lindsay Duncan recites Stop All the Clocks), Matthew Herbert, Léo Delibes, Alan Rickman (reciting Shakespeare's Sonnet 130) and Jean-Jacques Burnel.

States of Mind

2016-02-07: Curator Emily Sargent talks to Jarvis about States of Mind, an exhibition at the Wellcome Collection. It explores issues around consciousness, including identity, perception, synaesthesia, somnambulism and memory disorders. Throughout the show, Jarvis reads from the book which accompanies the exhibition; and the music bed comes from William Basinski's Disintegration Loop series, music archived on magnetic tape which has deteriorated rather beautifully. And listeners suggest music tracks that can alter our own states of mind. On This Day, a film premiered about a puppet who gains consciousness, Disney's Pinocchio. We also hear an extract from Stephen Hawking's recent Reith Lecture. Birthdays: Danny Goffey, Ray Mears (on his fascination with forests), Charles Dickens (Armando Iannucci enthuses about the author), King Curtis, Ashton Kutcher, Emo Philips (on visiting the school psychologist), Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Juliette Gréco and Eddie Izzard. Valete: Maurice White.

Film Music, Bees and the Sea Organ

2016-01-31: Inspired by some graceful Vivaldi on a Bond soundtrack, Jarvis asks listeners for a piece of music that we discovered thanks to a film. He shows us a strange track composed by film director and meditator David Lynch. He also reads out the traits of Aquarius, and shares a hippy record he picked up in Hamburg. On This Day, Scotch Tape was first marketed. As the weather outside is so dreich, we imagine ourselves on a warm, sunny afternoon, surrounded by the buzzing of bees. (Find out more here about BE/One a 'transcendental drone symphony' created by 40,000 bees and 12 musicians.) We're also lulled by the sound of Croatia's Sea Organ, an architectural instrument which plays music using the waves of the sea. Birthdays: Philip Glass, Phil Manzanera, John Lydon, Alan Lomax, Tallulah Bankhead, Lloyd Cole, Norman Mailer and Derek Jarman. 

Speed of Life: Jarvis Cocker Pays Tribute to David Bowie

2016-01-17: In a show recorded ad hoc in his spare room in Paris, Jarvis presents his personal celebration of the life and times of David Bowie, who died on 10th January 2016.  (Full description under the cut...)

Fête de la Musique

2015-06-21: Jarvis celebrates Fête de la Musique — a day when anyone in France can play music in the street — with a sonic journey around Paris. He rifles through the racks of Parisian record stores, rummages in a vintage clothing shop, and passes un magasin de fruits et légumes. He also visits the Phonogalerie in Pigalle to view old gramophones and discuss all kinds of early playback machines with curator Jalal Aro. Plus, quotes from Jean-Paul Sartre, a jazz approach to International Yoga Day and Jane Russell tells a Hollywood version of Little Red Riding Hood. Birthdays: Jean-Paul Sartre, Lalo Schifrin, Michel Platini, Eumir Deodato, OC Smith, Jane Russell, Ray Davies, Ian McEwan, Françoise Sagan and Lana Del Rey.

Bicycle Day

2015-04-19: It's Bicycle Day (which isn't actually about pushbikes!) On This Day in 1943, Albert Hofmann first deliberately ingested lysergic acid diethylamide and then rode home on a bicycle — it was the first intentional acid trip. We hear archive audio about the invention of LSD and clips of its controversial advocate Dr Timothy Leary. We also explore the influence the drug had on popular culture in the form of psychedelic music.  Plus, there's music and poetry about Record Store Day. 

Stereo and Storytelling

Jarvis celebrates the work of Tom Dowd, the recording engineer and producer who innovated multi-track recording and popularised the use of stereophonic sound. He also shines a light on fantasy author Alan Garner. Jarvis reads an extract about fairies from Garner's collection of British folklore. He also reads the Grimm tale Faithful John, about a staunch stone servant and the wisdom of crows.

The Sound of the Underground

Celebrating 150 years of the London Underground, Jarvis takes us on an exuberant ride through the subway systems of London, Paris and beyond. There are Tube facts and a recording of Jarvis's Metro ride today. Emma Clarke explains how she became one of the voices of the Underground network. We travel further: today is the beginning of Chinese New Year, we glimpse Russia, then we reach the deepest realm there is. Back to reality with the rubbish morning commute; it's time to spice up the journey with Poems on the Underground and some naughtiness on the NY Subway. The Peel S is for The Sabres of Paradise. We take a detour into the world of chess, as On This Day Garry Kasparov was beaten by Deep Blue. We alight and our magical Tube train hurtles away. Birthdays: Bertolt Brecht, Boris Pasternak, Roberta Flack, Jerry Goldsmith, Jimmy Durante. Valete: Reg Presley.

Folsom Prison Anniversary

The Lord of Misrule's reign has ushered in the reign of the Lord Bowie! Jarvis shares some records he's acquired from his mother's house move. We investigate triskaidekaphobia, fear of the number 13. Radical spiritual teacher George Gurdjieff was born today in 1887: he believed music was one way of transcending to a higher plane of consciousness. We hear about Polari, an archaic form of gay slang. On This Day in 1968, Johnny Cash performed a legendary concert at Folsom Prison. We learn all about how it transpired and Cash's interest in prison reform. The Peel O is for Mike Oldfield — featuring an extraordinary version of Tubular Bells. Birthdays: George Gurdjieff, Suggs (whose stage name was once a graffiti tag), Edmund White (on writing gay literature), Wayne Coyne (regretting his singing skills), Bill Bailey (on his start in musical comedy) and Michael Bond (on his beloved creation, Paddington Bear).

Epiphany

It's Twelfth Night (or is it?) when the reign of the Lord of Misrule comes to an end. In an unsure world, Jarvis confesses one thing he's still sure of... We're asked to suggest a song that sums up our festive season. On This Day, record label EMI dropped The Sex Pistols: an EMI executive explains why. We hear some facts about Epiphany, as 6th January is when the Magi's arrival in Bethlehem is celebrated. TS Eliot recites his poem The Journey of the Magi. Alan Watts lectures on reincarnation — would you be happy to be reborn as a fruit fly? The Peel N is for Nina Nastasia. Birthdays: Alan Watts, Syd Barrett (with memories from Rick Wright), Sandy Denny, Montgolfier, Kahlil Gibran, Nigella Lawson (the rude mash-up of her cooking commentary is here) and Alex Turner (paying homage to The Smiths). Valete: Gerry Anderson.

Celebrating The Velvet Underground

Jarvis explores the early years of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground to celebrate the anniversary of their first album release. But first: today in 1926, AA Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh was published. The publisher discusses Pooh's international success, and Alan Bennett reads 'In which Eeyore has a Birthday and Gets Two Presents'. Also On This Day: the first 50p coin, Ronald Reagan declared War on Drugs, and the Battle of Hastings - Marriott Edgar performs a monologue about it. Velvet Underground biographer Victor Bockris explains the influence of LaMonte Young on the band's early sound. John Cale also pays tribute to Young and recalls their Beatles-inspired beginnings. Lou Reed talks about songwriting, describes tough early gigs in Greenwich Village and remembers how Andy Warhol invited them to accompany underground film screenings. Brian Eno considers their lasting influence. Birthdays: Lillian Gish, Jules Rimet, LaMonte Young, Roger Moore, Steve Cram and Steve Coogan.

Sheffield Sunday

It's Sheffield Sunday on the station, so tek yer jesses off and fly free. Jarvis reads HV Morton's The Call of England. Plus, as it's spooky October, we hear an Edgar Allan Poe poem set to music. There's a lesson in Yorkshire dialect titled 'Teach Thissen Tyke'. Jarvis considers his hometown's definition of fishcakes. We hear from Turner Prize topic RD Laing, and On This Day the dark side of the moon was first photographed. The Peel F is for Fairport Convention. Richard Hawley pops in and plays Digital Roulette. And over music created for Forced Entertainment (see also), Jarvis reads Bill Drummond's Sheffield Sparrows. Birthdays: Tim Minchin, Jayne Torvill (on ice skating), Judee Sill, Simon Cowell (on feeling overwhelmed), Thom Yorke, Flying Lotus, Archbishop Desmond Tutu (on being a rabble rouser), Vladimir Putin, RD Laing (remembering his father's breakdown), Luke Haines and Ulrike Meinhof. Valete: Edgar Allan Poe. (See also)

The Spring Tune

Spring is in the air!  Jarvis talks about gambolling lambs, the BBC Seasons record returns with an appropriate track, and Jarvis reads The Spring Tune by Moomin author Tove Jansson.  On This Day: the abolition of slavery bill was passed, so we hear a black power record.  John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their first Bed-In in Amsterdam: Lennon talks about the idea behind it - 'all we were saying was give peace a chance'.  Concorde made its first supersonic flight: Barbara Harmer, the first female Concorde pilot, describes her experiences of flying the famous jet.  Venice was founded today in AD 421.  Plus, there's a clip of Bruce Springsteen's keynote speech from last week's South-by-Southwest conference, featuring his contrary advice for young musicians.  And the listeners pick their favourite relaxing tune.  Birthdays: Elton John (a fan of The Rolling Stones) and Tom Wilson.

Kraftwerk Special

On this snowy Sunday, the station is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kraftwerk's first UK No 1. Today in 1924 the BBC first broadcast the Pips, so we hear a Kraftwerk track mimicking radio time signals. And this week Jarvis was the DJ at a children's party, so he plays musical statues with us. Jarvis recalls how he first heard Kraftwerk thanks to his mum. In archive clips, the band discuss why they began making 'electronic folk music'; how they played live, occasionally in two places at once; and how they tried to find a new, creative way to engage with computers. David 'Kid' Jensen asks a baffled Ralf Hütter why The Model found UK success long after its release – Jarvis looks for clues in the previous week's chart. Finally, Taylor Parkes returns with an essay on Right-Wing Rock. Birthdays: Nolan Bushnell (we hear some Pong noises) and Charlotte Rampling. 

Michael Clark Celebrates Bowie

Jarvis welcomes us to the first live show of 2012 with new jingles and a mini-lecture on the 2012 Phenomenon. To mark David Bowie's 65th birthday, Jarvis talks to dancer Michael Clark, who based his most recent show on the music of Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. He recalls the first time he saw Bowie, in a memorable Top of the Pops appearance, and winning a single of Sorrow by saving up crisp packets. They discuss how Bowie plays with different personas, his attention to detail and love of visual spectacle. Michael explains why he put the music video for Heroes at the centre of his show. Plus, plenty of Bowie-related clips and music, including a live Starman with a surprise. Birthdays: Elvis Presley, Shirley Bassey, Robby Krieger and Gypsy Rose Lee (who reveals what she thinks about when she's stripteasing).

Getting into the Spirit of Things

 
Cash registers ping a carol: but is shopping the true spirit of Christmas? Jarvis asks what gets you into the spirit of things.  On This Day, Llywelyn the Last died; The Rolling Stones staged their Rock 'n' Roll Circus; Che Guevara addressed the UN; Indiana joined the USA; and Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson had his last drink.  Jarvis reads a story by Grace Paley about her mother, and explains how you can help ATP Recordings make a music video.  Astronaut Gene Cernan reflects on Apollo 17, the last manned moon landing -- Jarvis thinks about space and the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.  This week, Ted Hughes was honoured with a plaque in Poet's Corner, so we hear him explain how to capture the essence of a creature.  Birthdays: Marco Pierre White (on what makes a great chef), Jon Brion, Grace Paley, Jermaine Jackson, Kamehameha V and Brenda Lee.

Leonard Cohen on How He Got His Song

A sparky Jarvis notes that Spirit in the Sky marries a super badass dirty riff with pious words: can the listeners suggest other incongruous musical/lyrical pairings? On This Day, the Queen and Prince Philip married, Windsor Castle caught fire and the Velvet Revolution began. Jarvis talks about the student march he attended and considers the mood of protest that's in the air. This week, Leonard Cohen received a prestigious Prince of Asturias Award in Spain, so we hear part of his acceptance speech. Jarvis talks a bit about wrestling and mentions that Smile for London is looking for new poems. In the story Nail Broth, Danny Kaye shares a recipe which a clever tramp teaches a mean old woman. Birthdays: Norman Greenbaum, Duane Allman, Joe Walsh, Mike D, Dick Smothers (who sings a brief comic song), Alistair Cooke (some excerpts from Letter from America), Meredith Monk and Chester Gould.

L'automne à Londres

 

A relaxing and French-tinged show.  On This Day in 1841, father of modern hypnotism Dr James Braid first became interested in his specialist subject: so we're soothed and refreshed by Dr Michael Dean's self-hypnosis record.  Joe Dunthorne reads his story inspired by the Beatles hit When I'm 64, which reflects on how friendships change as time goes by; it's from a collection published by Bookslam.  Serge Gainsbourg's classic record l'Histoire de Melody Nelson is being re-issued to mark its 40th anniversary, so we hear some exclusive tracks, including one that wasn't on the original release.  Plus, musical treats from Jarvis's special drawer.  Birthdays: Jarvis's mum, John Hammond Jr, Terry Reid and Nikolai Fraiture.

Sir David Attenborough on Singing

Don't mention the football! Caroline Coon's talk of protest marches reminds Jarvis of a political interpretation of The Wizard of Oz. Footballer Jack Charlton talks technique. Jarvis explains that I Zimbra by Talking Heads is a Dadaist poem by Hugo Ball - he reads another and plays songs in Elvish and Ethiopian. He considers how songs can feel meaningful without us understanding the language. David Attenborough lectures on the subject of singing and the part it plays in courtship. And Jarvis reads from AC Grayling's secular Bible. Birthdays: David Attenborough, Keith Jarrett, Chris Frantz, Mahmoud Ahmed, Mary Lou Williams, Robert Johnson, Tom of Finland, Roberto Rossellini, Sonny Liston, Thomas Pynchon, Saul Bass (a clip from his sci-fi film about ants), John Snagge (describing Westminster Abbey), Gary Snyder (Ian Dury reads his poem Riprap), Ricky Nelson, Michel Gondry (pondering inspiration) and Dave Rowntree.