Programme Information

International Keeping The Blues Alive Award winner Paul Jones

Paul Jones presents the best new releases and classic rhythm & blues on a Wednesday evening for one week only, returning to his usual Monday slot next week, following a trip to Memphis to collect his International Keeping the Blues Alive Award from The Blues Foundation.

Founded in 1980, this Memphis-based but world-renowned organisation is dedicated to preserving blues music history, and celebrating recording and performance excellence. The Keeping the Blues Alive Award is given to individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the blues world. The award is given to non-performers strictly on the basis of merit by a select panel of blues professionals.

Paul is perhaps most recognisable as the vocalist and harmonica player in Manfred Mann, one of the most popular bands of the "British Invasion". In 1979 he founded The Blues Band which helped kick-start another boom in blues music. The band has recorded 17 albums and toured throughout Europe.

Paul's award honours his time over more than 20 years as the host of BBC Radio 2's weekly blues programme and his immeasurable impact on the blues scene across Europe.

Highlights from the ceremony in Memphis feature in next week's show.

Presenter/Paul Jones, Producer/Paul Long for the BBC

BBC Radio 2 Publicity

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Song Stories Ep 1/3

Wednesday 9 February

10.00-11.00pm BBC RADIO 2

In this new three-part series, classic tracks are put in the spotlight. Tonight's first programme, presented by legendary pop producer Pete Waterman, looks at Without You.

One of pop's most romantic and epic love songs, running alongside the story of its success is the tragic tale of the two men who wrote it.

Written by the band Badfinger for their 1970 album No Dice, it was consigned to mere album track status at the time, but after being picked up by Nilsson in 1972 it has become one of the all-time classic love ballads and an international smash hit gaining Nilsson and, later, Mariah Carey, a No. 1 hit.

Shirley Bassey and Donny Osmond also recorded it, among countless other artists. And it famously featured in the hit movie Bridget Jones' Diary.

Badfinger were the first signing to The Beatles' Apple label. The Beatles were huge fans of Badfinger who turned out to be among the most prominent pioneers of the "powerpop" genre. However, they became the poster boys for everything that can go wrong in the music business. Corrupt management landed them with huge debts, inter-band relations became fractured and record label turmoil meant their records were never properly promoted.

Once tipped for huge success, front man and principal songwriter Pete Ham was unable to cope with the pressure and disappointment and took his own life. His band mate Tom Evans also later ended his life. In his suicide note Tom stated that he "wanted to be where Pete was", making the lyrics of Without You almost prophetic.

Contributors include Spencer Davies, Catatonia front woman and BBC 6 Music presenter Cerys Matthews and the former partners of Pete Ham and Tom Evans, the women who this song was written about.

Presenter/Pete Waterman, Producer/Elizabeth Alker for the BBC

BBC Radio 2 Publicity

The devotional quality of Bruckner's symphonies has led some to see them as "cathedrals in sound"; but that's only half the story.

At least as important as their unique atmosphere of spiritual exaltation is their sense of a dramatic struggle to overcome the pain and frustration of life.

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ilan Volkov, performs Bruckner's Fifth Symphony, one of his most complex works – a huge edifice that poses a real challenge to both orchestra and conductor.

Violinist Daniel Hope, one of today's most extraordinary, multi-faceted artists, prefaces this monumental symphony with the intimacy of a concerto by JS Bach, Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV1041.

Presenter/Martin Handley, Producer/Janet Tuppen

BBC Radio 3 Publicity

EastEnders actor Nitin Ganatra plays himself in this new Afternoon Play

EastEnders star Nitin Ganatra plays himself in a new comedy by Stephen Keyworth.

Nitin is fed up playing the nice guy. He wants to convince producers he can play the baddie, but he hasn't counted on meeting The Continuity Man.

Nitin feels there is more to him as an actor than playing the nice guy, the good husband. On the advice of his agent, Crawford Bunch, he sets about making his profile a little more "edgy" in order to convince Hollywood producers that he really has what it takes to play the baddie.

But unfortunately Nitin is just too nice. And he gets more than he bargained for when he finds himself head to head with "The Continuity Man".

The Continuity Man stars Nitin Ganatra as himself and features Ben Lewis as Oliver, Julia Innocenti as Amy, Karl Johnson as Crawford and Sally Orrock as Sally.

Producer/Lu Kemp for the BBC

BBC Radio 4 Publicity

5 Live Sport

Wednesday 9 February

7.00-9.30pm BBC RADIO 5 LIVE

Mark Pougatch and guests preview England's international friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen.

At 7.15pm there's live international friendly commentary of the match from Copenhagen.

Presenter/Mark Pougatch, Producer/Mike Carr

BBC Radio 5 Live Publicity

Huey Morgan is joined by James Blake for a live session in the BBC 6 Music studios.

The London-born producer came in at No. 2 in the BBC Sound Of 2011 list and recently found himself all over 6 Music with his cover of the Feist song Limit To Your Love.

The 22-year-old classically trained pianist is tipped as one of the artists who will help to take dubstep from the underground to the masses this year, following the release of his debut album in February.

Presenter/Huey Morgan, Producer/Gary Bales

BBC 6 Music Publicity

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Gideon Coe presents a treat for blues fans with a 1980 concert from harmonica player Sonny Terry and Piedmont-style guitarist Brownie McGhee. Sessions include archive material from home-counties shoegazers Slowdive, "punk poet" veteran John Cooper Clarke and US alternative heavyweights Pixies.

Presenter/Gideon Coe, Producer/Mark Sheldon

BBC 6 Music Publicity