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BBC Radio 4
  • 4.6 (13)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. Joe Stilgoe and Heidi Fardell celebrate Yuletide Classics

    2025-12-19

    Joe Stilgoe and Heidi Fardell celebrate Yuletide Classics

    Anna and Jeffrey host an Add to Playlist Yuletide special. They are joined by jazz musician and songwriter Joe Stilgoe and baroque recorder player Heidi Fardell to pick apart five cracking festive tracks, from Sleigh Ride to the Carol of the Bells. Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Sleigh Ride by Ella Fitzgerald Sinfonia from The Christmas Oratorio by J S Bach Carol of the Bells by The Sixteen, written by Mykola Leontovych and Peter Wilhousky Step into Christmas by Elton John and Bernie Taupin Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano Other music in this episode: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by The Torero Band Sleigh Ride by the Boston Pops Orchestra Sleigh Ride by The Andrews Sisters Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes Christmas Oratorio Pt 1 by J S Bach Shchedryk by Mykola Leontovych Ho! Ho! Ho! (Who'd Be a Turkey at Christmas) by Elton John and Bernie Taupin Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Elton John Maoz Tzur by The Maccabeats Yalda by Hossein Tavakoli

    43 min

  2. 2025-12-12

    Katy Richardson and Ben Gernon head to Mongolia

    Conductor Ben Gernon and Music Director Katy Richardson join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add another five tracks, taking us from the Mongolian landscape to a sunrise in Lesbos, a famous TV theme, and some seriously wronged wives. Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Wolf Totem by The HU  Daybreak (Lever du jour) by Maurice Ravel Stranger Things Theme by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein Madeline by Lily Allen Ex-Wives from SIX: The Musical Other music in this episode: Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich Creep by Radiohead The Lonely Goatherd by Julie Andrews Morgul by Ay-Kherel Dancing On My Own by Robyn Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics I Feel Love by Donna Summer Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush

    43 min

  3. 2025-12-05

    Emma Rawicz and Keelan Carew enjoy the vibes

    Pianist Keelan Carew and saxophonist Emma Rawicz join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add five more tracks, taking us from an unforgettable Nat King Cole classic to a sunken cathedral, a famous submarine, and the Austrian Alps. Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Unforgettable by Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole Señor Mouse by Gary Burton and Chick Corea La Cathédrale Engloutie by Debussy Stingray by Barry Gray The Lonely Goatherd by Julie Andrews Other music in this episode Particles of Change by Emma Rawicz Ya Taali’een el-Jabal by Kronos Quartet ft Rim Banna Unforgettable by Nat King Cole Memories of You by Louis Armstrong Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid) by Samuel E Wright Theme from Thunderbirds by Barry Gray

    43 min

  4. 2025-11-28

    Claire Wickes and Vince Pope and plenty of strings

    Flautist and composer Claire Wickes and composer Vince Pope join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add five more tracks, taking us from some traditional Irish violins to San Francisco's Kronos Quartet, stopping along the way for some musical Greek mythology. Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Runaway by The Corrs La flûte de Pan by Claude Debussy Cassandra by Florence and the Machine Stay With Me by Clint Mansell & Kronos Quartet Ya Taali’een el-Jabal by Kronos Quartet ft Rim Banna Other music in this episode A Girl Like You by Edwyn Collins True Detective: Night Country - Caribou (ft. Tanya Tagaq) by Vince Pope Posee un Corazón by Leonor Dely Oyé Oyé (Lumbalú) by Leonor Dely & Millero Congo Venus by Bananarama Midas Touch by Midnight Star Cassandra by ABBA Cassandra by Taylor Swift Cole's First Dream from the 12 Monkeys soundtrack by Paul Buckmaster Theme from Minority Report by John Williams Lux Aeterna from the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack by Paul Buckmaster

    43 min

  5. 2025-11-21

    Amy Harman and Peter Long cue the bass

    Bassoonist Amy Harman and bandleader, jazz man and multi-instrumentalist Peter Long join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye to add five more tracks, a journey which starts with a virtual cartoon band and ends up in Colombia, stopping off at Gotham City, Knebworth and the New York jazz scene in 1946. Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz Main Title Theme from Batman by Danny Elfman Another One Bites the Dust (live) by Queen One Bass Hit by Dizzy Gillespie Posee un Corazón by Leonor Dely Other music in this episode Steppin' Out by Joe Jackson Animal Crackers by Melanie The Laughing Policeman by Charles Penrose Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks Main Title Theme from Superman by John Williams Main Title Theme from Beetlejuice by Danny Elfman Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Bernard Herrmann Main Title Theme from The Simpsons by Danny Elfman Another One Bites the Dust by Queen

    43 min

  6. 2025-11-14

    Neil Brand and Imogen Whitehead launch a new series

    Pianist and silent film music specialist Neil Brand and trumpeter Imogen Whitehead join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add the first five tracks of the new series, taking us from an energetic bee to Woodstock via The Netherlands and Bristol. Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Flight of the Bumblebee by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Hocus Pocus by Focus Teardrop by Massive Attack Glory to God in the Highest by George Frideric Handel Animal Crackers by Melanie Other music in this episode On my Radio by The Selecter Flight of the Bumblebee performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra Flight of the Bumblebee performed by Wynton Marsalis Hocus Pocus by Focus, Live from The Rainbow Unfinished Symphony by Massive Attack Sometimes I Cry by Les McCann We Will Rock You by Queen Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) by Melanie

    43 min

  7. 2025-09-19

    Anne Dudley and Joe Stilgoe round off the series

    Musician and songwriter Joe Stilgoe and Oscar-winning composer and arranger Anne Dudley join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add the final five tracks of the series, taking us from calypso to K-pop via Beethoven and Brubeck. Add to Playlist returns on 14 November. Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Calypso Queen by Calypso Rose Concrete and Clay by Unit 4 + 2 Piano Concerto in G Major: III (Rondo) by Beethoven Blue Rondo à la Turk by Dave Brubeck Gangnam Style by Psy Other music in this episode: Disco Inferno by The Trammps WHO AM I by Berwyn Abatina by Calypso Rose I Love to Love by Tina Charles Rock the Boat by Hues Corporation Concrete and Clay by Eddie Rambeau Take Five by Dave Brubeck

    43 min

  8. 2025-09-12

    Catrin Finch and Rhodri Marsden on absence and resilience

    Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and musician and composer Rhodri Marsden join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add five more tracks, with unexpected and surprising connections. The eclectic music choices range from an Americana classic knocked off in just 30 mins to the winner of this year's Ivor Novello Award for Best Album, via a reworking of a Bach organ sonata for piano. Producer: Jerome Weatherald Presented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Louie Louie by The Kingsmen I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor Organ Sonata No.4 movt II (Andante) by Bach, played by Víkingur Ólafsson My Dearest Dear by Ivor Novello – sung by Mary Ellis WHO AM I by Berwyn Other music in this episode: P.I.M.P. by Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band Killing Me Softly With His Song by Fugees El Loco Cha Cha by René Touzet Louie Louie by Richard Berry Fly Me To The Moon by Bart Howard, sung by Frank Sinatra Someone Like You by Adele Hotel California by The Eagles It's a Sin by Pet Shop Boys Organ Sonata No.4 movt II (Andante) by Bach, played by Robert Quinney

    43 min
See All (114)

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Add to Playlist

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