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BBC Radio 4
Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe take us on a musical journey of discovery, exploring the web of connections between tracks across the breadth of all musical styles, from pop, rock, reggae and hip-hop to classical, jazz, folk and country.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 21, 2025 • 43min
Julian Joseph and Aoife Ní Bhriain open the new series
Irish violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain and jazz pianist and composer Julian Joseph are the first guests in the new series with Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe. Together they add the first five tracks, taking us from the Mercury Prize-winning jazz group Ezra Collective to a celebrated pair of sisters at the piano, via a 1975 pop classic heavily influenced by Frédéric Chopin.Producer: Jerome Weatherald
Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna PhoebeThe five tracks in this week's playlist:God Gave Me Feet For Dancing by Ezra Collective
Nocturne No. 20 in C-Sharp Minor by Frédéric Chopin
Could it be Magic by Barry Manilow
Kabir by John McLaughlin, Shankar Mahadevan & Zakir Hussain
Double Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra: Mvt 1 by Philip Glass, performed by Katia & Marielle LabèqueOther music in this episode:Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
Dollar Wine by Colin Lucas
Feeling Good by Nina Simone
Prelude in C Minor, Op 28, No 20 by Frédéric Chopin
Could it be Magic by Donna Summer
Could it be Magic by Take That

Jan 3, 2025 • 43min
Georgie Ward and Abel Selaocoe round off the series
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 2025Producer: Jerome Weatherald
Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna PhoebeThe 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

Dec 27, 2024 • 43min
Seckou Keita, Tess Tyler and Nick Patrick, from Prince to Kings
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 PhoebeThe 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 KingsOther 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

Dec 20, 2024 • 43min
Festive classics with Amy Harman, Francesca Ter-Berg and Roderick Williams
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 PhoebeThe 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 ColeOther 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

Dec 13, 2024 • 43min
Lucy Shaw and Ben Nobuto take us to space
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 PhoebeThe 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

Dec 6, 2024 • 43min
Rhodri Marsden and Yazz Ahmed head from Bahrain to Japan
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 PhoebeThe 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 IdleOther 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

Nov 29, 2024 • 43min
Sam Amidon and Heidi Fardell with music to make you dance
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 PhoebeThe 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 MasekelaOther 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

Nov 22, 2024 • 43min
Jess Gillam and Richard Stilgoe launch the new series
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 PhoebeThe 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 DylanOther 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

Sep 27, 2024 • 43min
Errollyn Wallen and Neil Brand round off the series
Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen, the newly appointed Master of the King's Music, kicks off a discussion on music education and composing for young voices. Joining her is Neil Brand, a silent film expert who shares his experience scoring for a 1926 Western. They explore the nostalgic charm of early Eurovision, the communal spirit of Oasis's "Champagne Supernova," and the poignant social commentary in The Kinks' "Sunny Afternoon." The conversation wraps up with Marvin Gaye's emotional duet, highlighting the power of music across generations.

Sep 20, 2024 • 43min
Rick Wakeman and Fenella Humphreys, from Bach to Eurovision
Musical legends Rick Wakeman, a prog rock icon and keyboard virtuoso, and concert violinist Fenella Humphreys join in a captivating conversation. They dive into Bach's Concerto for Two Violins, exploring gut strings and Baroque techniques. Rick marries prog and Baroque, showcasing Gryphon’s fusion sounds. They also dissect the 1930s roots of White Town's 'Your Woman' and the iconic phrasing in Fitzgerald and Armstrong's 'Summertime.' The journey culminates with Moldova's vibrant Eurovision entry, 'Trenulețul,' connecting musical traditions.


