BBC Radio Podcasts from World Service Music Documentaries
Our Love for Indian Classical Music
How classical music from India has spread across the globe
It Jus' Keeps Rolling: The Story of Ol' Man River
Ever since 1927 Ol’ Man River’s song has had many powerful currents.
Aretha Franklin: Queen Of Soul
A celebration of the life and music of Aretha Franklin with fans around the world
Martin Morales’s Peruvian Roadtrip
The link between food and music in the Andes with chef and record producer Martin Morales
Yevgeny Murzin: Master of the Synthesiser
Built in secret with little access to electronic parts, the ANS was a labour of love
Aretha at 75
Mark Coles celebrates the music of soul diva Aretha Franklin with fans around the world.
Symphony of the Stones
How our ancient forebears made music and how ancient sites affected sounds of their time
Gabriela Montero: Improvisation Masterclass
Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero takes us to the heart of her music
Get Up, Stand Up: Reggae in Poland
How Jamaican Reggae has become the music of protest in Poland
Van Morrison and me
John McCarthy explores how Van Morrison’s music has influenced people’s lives
Steve Earle’s Songwriting Bootcamp
Legendary country singer Steve Earle unveils the secrets of composing a great song
Bob Dylan – In So Many Words
The lyrics of the 2016 Nobel Literature Prize winner
The Caribbean Musical Melting Pot: Keeping it Real?
Gemma continues her search for new sounds on the islands of Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico
The Caribbean Musical Melting Pot: The Rise and Rise of Soca
The new Caribbean sounds starting with Soca in Barbados and Trinidad
A symphony for Syria
The story of how 50 Syrian musicians beat the odds to perform again together.
The Secrets of Songwriting
Some of the world’s greatest musicians answer the question - how do you write a song?
Music that Unites Us
The music of the world that unites fans - even across borders that divide old enemies
Cross Cultural Collaborations
The unique music that can result when artists from different traditions come together...
The Human Voice
What's happening physiologically and chemically to us when we sing
The Persian Underground
How young Iranian musicians and singers are finding ways of breaking the restrictions.
Argentina’s Rock and Roll
The music that helped forge a new Argentine identity after the violence of military rule
Freedom Songs
How did Nina Simon's hit I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free come to be written.
Jimi Hendrix's Time in London
Jimi Hendrix's 1967 gig at the Marquee club in London launched his career.
In Perfect Harmony
Beautiful singing in harmony from around the world. When and why do we sing?
The Secret History of Bossa Nova
Forget its low-key, supper club reputation, bossa nova was tied to a political revolution
Walk on the Wild Side
Mike Williams talks to critics, fans, academics and historians Lou Reed.
Flashmob Flamenco
Spain's current economic crisis is seeing the return of flamenco as a form of protest.
I Dressed Ziggy Stardust
For more than four decades, David Bowie has entranced his followers. What is his appeal?
Johnny Cash and the Forgotten Prison Blues
Did Johnny Cash have any real impact on prison reform in America?
Johnny Cash and the Forgotten Prison Blues
How Johnny Cash's experiences performing in jails turned him into a prison reformer.
Michael Jackson - The Thrill Of Thriller
What does Michael Jackson mean to the Ivory Coast village of Krindjabo.
Wheel And Come Again - 50 Years Of Jamaican Music
Colin Grant explores the daring and innovative music that has come from Jamaica
Southern Tracks - Part Two
Joe Fletcher tracks down forgotten musicians who made records in the 60's and 70's.
Southern Tracks - Part One
Joe Fletcher finds forgotten musicians who made records in the 60's and 70's.
Song by Song by London - Part Two
Robert Elms continues his search for the musical soul of London.
Song by Song by London - Part One
Robert Elms searches for the musical soul of London, celebrated in over a century of song.
Ziggy Changed My Life
Marking The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars’s 40th anniversary.
One Love: the Legacy of Bob Marley
Lemn Sissay talks to fans from all over the world about Bob Marley's music.
What's Going On - Music that Defined a Decade
Smokey Robinson explores the social and political impact of Marvin Gaye's classic.