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Join respected music commentator and critic William Dart for a half-hour of rock, pop, country, folk and beyond. From new releases to forgotten gems, he draws on an encyclopaedic knowledge and gargantuan record collection to offer fascinating insights and surprising links. William’s choices are sometimes classic, sometimes quirky, always engaging and entertaining.
This programme concluded in December 2024, but you can enjoy episodes below.
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Hollow and Handsome
8 Oct 2023Dark and unsettling, but sort of cute and eminently catchy in the tune department, The Handsome Family have finally brought us a new album, Hollow. William Dart plays it alongside three decades of… Read more Audio
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The National doubles up
1 Oct 2023The American band The National celebrates 2023 by giving us not one, but two new albums. William Dart checks them both out. Read more Audio
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Moving on from Purple
24 Sep 2023The colour purple has been on William Dart's mind lately and this week he listens to the latest release from the two women, who were once Purple Pilgrims, in their new incarnation as Clementine… Read more Audio
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Sparks are Flying
17 Sep 2023William Dart plays selections from Ron and Russell Mael's soundtrack for the movie, Annette, as well as a brand new Sparks album, The Girl is Crying in Her Latte. Read more Audio
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Remembering Nick Drake
10 Sep 2023The release of The Endless Coloured Ways, tributing the late English songwriter Nick Drake, has William Dart revisiting the man's original music alongside some astonishing love letters from a new… Read more Audio
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Guy Wishart's River of Songs
3 Sep 2023It's been 33 years since Guy Wishart carried off a Silver Scroll for rock 'n' roll, but his latest outing, released on the arthouse label of Rattle Records, finds the weathered singer-songwriter… Read more Audio
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Anohni
27 Aug 2023Anohni of Anohni and the Johnsons is picking up her career on a new label, with a new vehemence. William Dart listens through her career and her latest album. Read more Audio
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In a Mellow Tone
20 Aug 2023William Dart looks at music on the cool side, with some sassy R&B from veteran Betty LaVette and glorious English folk song from the now 88-year old Shirley Collins. Read more Audio
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Natalie Merchant's Courageous Heart
13 Aug 2023Natalie Merchant's new album, Keep Your Courage, is her first collection of original material for nine years. William Dart places it in the context of the American singer's fascinating career. Read more Audio
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Terrible Sons - Terrific Songs
6 Aug 2023Husband and wife team Matt Barus and Lauren Mitchell as The Terrible Sons describe their music as ambient, indie folk music. William Dart immerses himself in their very individual and charming world.
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The musical arrangements of John Cameron
30 Jul 2023They are the unsung heroes of popular music, the men and women who write the charts and orchestrations behind your favourite singers and bands. William Dart investigates the talented John Cameron… Read more Audio
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Dr John, Posthumous
23 Jul 2023Dr John may have gone to his reward four years ago, but the CDs keep coming, from his final studio album last year to a new compilation of stunning performances from the Montreux Jazz Festival… Read more Audio
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