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...)

A Look Back at Leonard

2016-11-13: A special tribute to the late Leonard Cohen. Jarvis admires the depth and range of his songwriting talent, and listeners share how his music touched their lives. There are also excerpts from a live interview Jarvis conducted with Cohen in 2012, and a reading from his novel The Favourite Game. In memory of the events in Paris one year ago, there's another chance to hear Paris I Love You and Jarvis reads from You Will Not Have My Hate, a memoir by Antoine Leiris, whose wife was killed at the Bataclan theatre. Plus: be gentle with each other, as today is World Kindness Day.

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...)

6 Music Live at the British Library

2015-09-27: Ahead of this year's John Peel lecture hosted by Brian Eno, Jarvis and Mary Anne Hobbs broadcast live from the foyer of the British Library. In this special extended edition of the Sunday Service, the library's curators give Jarvis, Mary Anne and Matt Everitt unique access to the printed archives as well as taking them deep into the secret basement where the audio archives are stored. Jarvis also applies for a Reader Pass and author David Cavanagh drops by to talk about the broadcasting career of John Peel. 

Glastonbury of the Mind

2015-06-28: A virtual tour of the Glastonbury Festival, with all the features of the festival experience. We encounter rainy and sunny weather, make a campsite, eat dodgy falafel, stay up all night long, open our minds and freak out a bit after dancing to some dark house. The next day we chill out in the craft fields before cheering the weekend headliner. All the way through, there are songs by acts playing at this year's Festival. Plus, contributions from imaginary guest Stephen Hawking, an insight into the inner life of a Portaloo, and perfect numbers.

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.

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. 

A Seasonal Sunday Service

Jarvis returns for a one-off show looking back over his highlights of 2014.  Featuring tracks by acts he saw live during the year, records he heard in second-hand clothing stores whilst trying on clothes and quotes from books he's enjoyed from the last 12 months. 

The Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood

Special episode marking 50 years since the release of Lee Hazlewood's debut solo LP.  Featuring Hazlewood-related tracks, archive nuggets, and fresh insights from his fellow singers, musicians and producers.  We also learn a little Esperanto, and salute the late great Nelson Mandela and author Colin Wilson.

From Paris with Love

Jarvis is handed the keys to the Radio France vinyl archive, armed with a record player and a list of rarities. Rummaging around the vinyl vaults, he blows the dust off lost moments of Gallic greatness, guided by archivist Luc, and DJs Clovis and Guillaume of Dirty Sound System. Jarvis also takes us on a whistle-stop tour of Paris and shares a recipe for croque-monsieur.

The Sound of Cinema

As part of the BBC's Sound of Cinema season, Jarvis visits Pinewood Shepperton's sound effects studio to meet Foley professionals Peter Burgis and Glen Gathard. They provide him with an insight into how cinematic sound effects are created and mixed, why films require ambient sounds both big and small, and who gave the process the name of Foley. Then they draw on their vast array of props to aurally 'illustrate' a spooky story scribbled by Jarvis. On This Day, Jason Lewis finished pedalling his way around the globe, and the first talkie, The Jazz Singer, opened. This week's recipe is for apple strudel. Birthdays: Le Corbusier, Carole Lombard (a clip from 1942 film To Be or Not to Be), Glenn Branca, William Butler (remembering his first guitar), Britt Ekland (what is the enduring appeal of The Wicker Man?) and Stanley Kramer last week.

The John Peel Cassette

A whistling dawn chorus gently awakens us. There's an excerpt from The Ballad of Reading Gaol because today in 1897, Oscar Wilde was released. And in 1802, Napoleon established the Légion d'honneur. Jarvis presents almost a whole hour of the John Peel show from 19th May 1977. At that time, this enormously influential show was the only place to hear alternative music on the radio. Jarvis found the recording in his mum's garage while helping her to move house, and excitedly saved it for this Sunday. Lastly, we revisit This Day in 1962, when Marilyn Monroe sang a sultry Happy Birthday to JFK, and finish with a little more birdsong. Birthdays: James Fox, Pete Townshend (on songwriting), Grace Jones (being self-effacing), Joey Ramone (discussing glue-sniffing), Martyn Ware (on how steelworks inspired the synth beat), Malcolm X (expressing some radical views), Mickey Newbury and John F Kennedy.

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

Jarvis meets natural history film-maker Sir David Attenborough. They discuss the origins of singing and the significance of music and rhythm to every human culture. David remembers his 1950s series The Song Hunter, produced with ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax. It was an early showcase for folk and popular music on BBC television — although David recalls one disastrous performance! He also reads out advice from Victorian explorers, hints at a forthcoming project with Björk and explains how elaborate songs and plumage can attract a flighty female. They consider our amazing, sometimes daunting, ability to access music written throughout history. Jarvis asks David about the importance of connecting with nature, and how he feels about the closure of BBC Television Centre. David has dedicated his broadcasting career to sharing science and culture with everybody, and for that Jarvis thanks him. Birthdays: Florian Schneider and Andrew Sachs (talking about his love of animals).

Let's Go Tripping

To escape the miserable weather, we go on an aural holiday — with a first class flight, a touch of holiday romance, and the sound of surf on the sand. John McGregor reads his story about a meeting in a lost property office. We have a cocktail (today in 1933 Prohibition was repealed), spy mermaids on the rocks and go for a dip in the pool. The Peel T is for June Tabor, and On This Day back in dreary London, the congestion charge scheme began. As Jarvis sails off into the sunset, he suggests we think of this show as his holiday postcard. Birthdays: (Larry Adler last week), Ron Goodwin, David McComb, Alan Bates (being begged to tell a story in Whistle Down the Wind), Paris Hilton (on her love of pound shops), Gene Pitney, Rebecca Adlington and Ed Sheeran. Valete: Paul Tanner. 

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.

Best of 2012 - Part 2

Bonne année! Here's another helping of 2012 highlights. Featuring the day the show took to the waves, including the Heart of Darkness jamma session; John Cooper Clarke praising the poetry of Baudelaire; and some of Scott Walker's interview. There's a Month of Sundays lesson about dub music from David Rodigan; Kathy Burke remembers meeting The Clash; and we look back on the time the show went a bit martial arts. Jarvis reviews the A-Z of Peel and plays an energetic example. We revisit the culture of 'balling' amongst pro poker players. Jarvis wishes us all a happy new year. Birthdays: Bo Diddley.

Best of 2012 - Part 1

Can you hear bells jingling, and boots trudging through the snow? As you dash about preparing for Christmas, Jarvis presents some of his 2012 highlights, the coins in the JCSS Christmas pudding. Featuring Michael Clark talking about David Bowie; Kraftwerk quotes; Edna O'Brien on Francis Bacon's surprising Christmas gift; some of Leonard Cohen's interview; and a clip from when Pam Hogg sat in. Another deputy, Marianne Faithfull, chats to Jefferson Hack and reads some lyrics she's written about 'magical midnight'. Plus, apple nachos; Johnny Trunk praises Dory Previn; the poetic intro to the Sheffield Sunday show; and a clip from A Month of Sundays with Underworld's Karl Hyde. Birthdays: Carla Bruni and Chet Baker.

An Audio Journey Along Route 66

Today's a perfect crisp autumn day, and it's Remembrance Sunday. On This Day in 1215, the first Holy Communion was held. And in 1926, historic road Route 66 was opened for the first time. Jarvis takes us on an audio road trip, complete with Route 66 facts, motoring sound effects and tracks mentioning each of the states it goes through. Don't forget your travel sweets, because he hates stopping at service stations. The Peel J is for Jacob's Mouse. Birthdays: Kurt Vonnegut (who hated cars, called religion folly and had eight rules for writing short fiction), Andy Partridge, Ian Craig Marsh, Vince Martell, LaVern Baker, Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Rowan Williams discusses how Dostoyevsky helps us understand human wildness) and Mose Allison. Roger McGough's was last Thursday (we hear an anti-racism song by him). And Jarvis's mum's is on Tuesday (he plays one of her own favourite crackly records).

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.

Nautical Show

Ahoy there! Jarvis has been resident in A Room for London, a boat perched atop the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's Southbank. Michael Morris of Artangel explains the concept and aims of this unique space. Cellist Philip Sheppard uses his eerie electro-cello to accompany Jarvis reading from Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Intertidal archaeologist Fiona Haughey discusses Thames beachcombing and brings some historical artefacts found on the foreshore. The Southbank is hosting Parisian nude cabaret Crazy Horse, so Jarvis and Philip improvise sexy music for two of the dancers. Jim Trimmer of the Port of London Authority chats about moons, tides and how the river can help London to flourish. There's archive of Elizabeth Taylor reading Wordsworth. Historian Dan Cruickshank reveals which bridge has a sinister suicide-strewn past. Busker Don Crown remembers performing as 'Budgieman'. Soumik Datta talks about introducing Indian ragas to QEH audiences. And we hear David Byrne's musical collage of sounds from the Southbank. The Peel E is for East of Eden, and there's a reading by John Peel for T-Rex. As the moon is reflected on the water, Antony Hegarty muses on lunacy and spirituality. Birthdays: T-Pain, Marc Bolan and Truman Capote. Valete: Andy Williams.