Cerys Matthews and Jeffrey Boakye launch Radio 4's new weekly music programme which explores the rich web of connections in music, from Beethoven to Beyoncé.
Georgie Ward, composer and keyboard player to the stars, and cellist and composer Abel Selaocoe, head to the Add to Playlist studio to add the final five tracks of the series. Together with Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe, this episode takes us from a reinterpretation of a Bob Marley classic to a Sinatra father-and-daughter 'novelty' song via a ground-breaking aunt-and-niece double-act from Tanzania.
Add to Playlist returns for a new series on 27 Feb 2025
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Redemption Song by the Kanneh-Masons Cold Light by Ishmael Ensemble The Feeling Begins by Peter Gabriel Mapendo by The Zawose Queens Somethin’ Stupid by Frank and Nancy Sinatra
Other music in this episode:
Be the One by Dua Lipa, Live from the Royal Albert Hall Emmanuele by Abel Selaocoe No Volvere by The Gypsy Kings Redemption Song by Bob Marley Bloom by Holysseus Fly Somethin' Stupid by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman
Kora player and composer Seckou Keita and screen composer Tess Tyler join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye as they add five more tracks to the playlist, taking us from bootlegs to Africa's biggest-selling single, via an early classic video game. They are joined by the British producer Nick Patrick, the man behind two of the tracks in today's playlist.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Cindy C. by Prince Donkey Kong Country by David Wise La Primavera by Ottorini Respighi Yeke Yeke by Mory Kante No Volvere by the Gipsy Kings
Other music in this episode:
Sallisaw Blue by John Moreland You Got The Love by The Source Ft. Candi Staton Interactive by Prince Winter Tundra from Lego Worlds soundtrack by Tess Tyler and Rob Westwood Jungle Groove from Donkey Kong Country by David Wise Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood Yeke Yeke (original version) by Mory Kante
Bassoonist Amy Harman, cellist Francesca Ter-Berg and baritone and composer Roderick Williams get in the festive spirit as they create a dynamic playlist of five classic seasonal tracks. In this Add to Playlist winter special, Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye are going to take us from a solitary chorister to a massive Christmas singalong banger, so sleigh bells at the ready...
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Once In Royal David’s City by The Choir of King's College, Cambridge Drei Dreidel by Moishe Oysher Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
Other music in this episode:
Here Comes Santa Claus by Bob Dylan Hanukkah Dance by Woody Guthrie Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter by John Williams March by Tchaikovsky from The Nutcracker Trepak - the Russian Dance - by Tchaikovsky from The Nutcracker Sugar Rum Cherry by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Mendel Boas Festas by Simone Sugar Plum Fairy Introlude by Mariah Carey
Keyboard player and composer Ben Nobuto and double bass player Lucy Shaw take us from clocks and clouds into space as they join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye, before landing on a John Coltrane classic.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Prisencolinensinainciusol by Adriano Celentano Clocks and Clouds by György Ligeti Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss Acknowledgement from A Love Supreme by John Coltrane You Got the Love by Candi Staton
Other music in this episode:
Animal Magic theme, or Las Vegas, by Group Forty Orchestra, written by Laurie Johnson Hallelujah Sim by Ben Nobuto Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle Lontano by György Ligeti Your Love by Frankie Knuckles You Got the Love by Candi Staton - DJ Eren's mix Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton You've Got the Love by Florence & The Machine
British-Bahraini Flugelhorn and trumpet player Yazz Ahmed and writer and musician Rhodri Marsden bring their instruments to the studio to add the next five tracks with Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe. The musical patch will lead them from the Caribbean to Springfield, Bahrain, Japan and a controversial optimistic slice of British humour.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Jump in the Line by Harry Belafonte The Simpsons Theme by Danny Elfman Ala Wain by Majaz Ue o Muite Arukō (Sukiyaki) by Kyu Sakamoto Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
Other music in this episode:
Money (That's What I Want) by Barrett Strong Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela) by Hugh Masekela Jump In the Line by Woody Herman Labor Day by Lord Invader Banana Boat (Day-O) by Harry Belafonte Midnight Special by Harry Belafonte Main Titles from Beetlejuice soundtrack by Danny Elfman Magic Moments by Perry Como Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin Give a Little Whistle from Pinocchio by Cliff Edwards and Dickie Jones
American folk musician and multi-instrumentalist Sam Amidon and recorder player and baroque flautist Heidi Fardell take us on a global musical journey, from Salzburg to Soweto, with Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe. The history of the humble tambourine, the challenge of being a left-handed musician, and a little-known controversial involvement in slavery all feature as the next five tracks are added to the playlist.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Ballet Intermezzo: Tambourin by Mozart Ril Gan Ainm (No Name)/Cinnte Le Dia (Ah Surely)/The Union Reel by Mary Bergin Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Jimi Hendrix Eternal Source of Light Divine by Handel Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela) by Hugh Masekela
Other music in this episode:
Million Voices by Otto Knows Walkin' Boss by Sam Amidon Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan Down in the Valley by Bessie Jones Wilson Rag by Elizabeth Cotten Grazing in the Grass by Hugh Masekela
Saxophonist and Radio 3 presenter Jess Gillam, and lyricist and songwriter Richard Stilgoe, launch a new series as they join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add the first five tracks of the new playlist. The elements feature in three of the tracks (but Earth, Wind & Fire don't!), before we head to the barber's and round off with a Dylan classic.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
I Feel the Earth Move by Carole King Earth by Joe Henderson and Alice Coltrane The Elements by Tom Lehrer Shave and a Haircut by Billy Watson and His International Silver String Submarine Band Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan
Other music in this episode:
Ay Jona by The Bahama Social Club Will You Love Me Tomorrow by Carole King Poisoning Pigeons In The Park by Tom Lehrer Major General's Song from The Pirates of Penzance by W S Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan We Will All Go Together When We Go by Tom Lehrer Magic Melody by Les Paul and Mary Ford Unsquare Dance by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen, recently announced as Master of the King's Music, and composer and silent film music specialist Neil Brand, join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye to round off the current series.
From the first winner of the Eurovision Song contest to a Marvin Gaye masterpiece, via warring brothers, Add to Playlist wraps up before returning for a new series in November.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Refrain by Lys Assia The Honeysuckle and the Bee by Stanley Holloway Champagne Supernova by Oasis Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Other music in this episode:
1st Movement of Concerto Grosso by Errollyn Wallen Trenulețul (Eurovision 2022) by Zdob și Zdub All in Your Head by New Jack & Lys Assia Flight of the Bumblebee by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Disco Inferno by The Trammps
Keyboard maestro and prog rock musician Rick Wakeman and concert violinist Fenella Humphreys are today's studio guests with Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye. In the penultimate episode of the current series, they take us from a Bach favourite via an Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong classic before hopping on a train to Moldova for some lively Eurovision action.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
1st movement of Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor by Bach A Futuristic Auntyquarian by Gryphon Your Woman by White Town Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Trenulețul (Eurovision 2022) by Zdob și Zdub
Other music in this episode:
Would You...? by Touch and Go Bapaalaay by Esukolaal Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor by Anne-Sophie Mutter Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor by Yehudi Menuhin My Woman by Lew Stone and the Monseigneur Band Love Again by Dua Lipa
Saxophone player and composer Emma Rawicz and jazz pianist and bandleader Julian Joseph join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye as they take us from a 1973 Elton John hit to music with historical links to the Deep South.
Special guest Rhiannon Giddens, the American folk musician, fiddler and banjo player, reveals the history of the bluegrass banjo, taking us from West Africa to the Americas, and the role of the transatlantic slave trade.
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
Bennie and the Jets by Elton John SilkyM by Sean Mason They Say I’m Different by Betty Davis Walkin’ Boss by Sam Amidon Bapaalaay by Esukolaal
Other music in this episode:
Carnaval de Paris by Dario G Slave to the Rhythm by Grace Jones Dreams by Kelsey Lu He Used to be Your Man by Lena Wilson Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotten Texas Hold 'Em by Beyoncé
Cellist Gabriella Swallow and singer, pianist and songwriter Joe Stilgoe join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye as they add the next five tracks, taking us from a pioneering use of a vocoder for a Stanley Kubrick soundtrack to a Grace Jones synth hit, via some early American Doo-wop.
Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe
The five tracks in this week's playlist:
March – from A Clockwork Orange by Beethoven, Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind This Night by Billy Joel When You Dance by The Turbans Gopher by Yma Sumac Slave to the Rhythm by Grace Jones
Other music in this episode:
Night Boat to Cairo by Madness Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk The Shining - Main Title, by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind Piano Sonata No.8 by Bach, played by Alfred Brendel Why do Fools Fall in Love by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) by Betty Everett Street Hassle by Lou Reed Dance at the Gym from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein
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