The Funky Blues Show

This episode looks in detail about the reintroduction of beavers into the UK. I visit a beaver enclosure, very close to me in Finchingfield in Essex, on the Spains Hall estate. I see first hand the amazing things that these ecological engineers can do for the wider landscape and biodiversity. I then report back from a webinar hosted by the Beaver Trust, and discuss some of the facts and complex is...

This episode looks at how the winter affects our mental and physical health, and why its not such a surprise we can feel awful during the winter. It discusses some of the issues including viral infections, cold weather, immunity, and whether supplements are any help. It also looks at the natural world for inspiration, to find out how animals and plants cope with the winter, and ends with some idea...

Episode seven of Green Shoots sees me out and about in Dorset, on the amazing Isle of Purbeck, enjoying some amateur birdwatching. I visit some wonderful nature reserves including RSPB Arne, and Brownsea Island, in search of red squirrels, nightjars, birds of prey, all six of the UK' native reptiles, along with the elusive Dartford Warbler. You can hear how even an amateur can see and hear some am...

Episode 6 of Green Shoots is set at the Open Day at Noakes Grove nature reserve, part of the Walden Countryside group. It features an interview with Walden Countryside founder David Corke, sharing hos extensive knowledge of wildlife and ecology, and in particular how to engage young people. Andrew Urquhart describes how we prepared a home, known as a hibernaculum, for a population of common lizard...

The second episode of Green Shoots, this show looks at the issue of water pollution in the UK and the state of our rivers and coastline. Based at the March for Clean Water, on London on 3rd November 2024, organised by River Action, there are contribution from speakers representing wildlife groups, nature friendly farming, fishing, and Youth 4 Nature UK. I discuss the complex issues and what potent...

This show looks at the beauty of birdsong, with some great examples of songs of many of our common garden birds. The show looks at why and how birds make such wonderful sound, and what it tells us about their behaviour. Also I discuss what you can do to recognise bird song more easily, and to encourage birds into your garden

..This episode looks at the decline in numbers of insects across the globe, and why we should be worried about it. Drawing on the research and writing of entymologist Professor Dave Goulson, I discuss the reasons for the decline in insect numbers, why this is so dangerous for human survival, and what we can do about it

In this third episode, I discuss the importance of promoting healthy communities of microbes, within the human gut and in the soil. I discuss how western lifestyles contribute to a wide range of illnesses including allergy and autoimmune disease, and what you can do to improve your diet. I also talk about how to promote healthy soil in your garden to improve yields and promote nature

The first episode of the Green Shoots podcast, which will be discussing nature, wildlife, ecology, science, gardening, food production and much more. I will be offering a hopeful message about simple things we can all do to make a difference to our natural environment, by engaging with local projects. In this episode I talk more about this, and what we can do as individuals to change small things...

A selection of recent Soul Blues releases from the Deep South and across the USA, featuring music from Wesley Pruit Band, Big Chief Monk Boudreux (pictured), Jade Macrae, Sugaray Rayford, Miss Lady Blues, Adam Schultz and many more. 

A selection of the best blues releases during 2021, featuring some great guitar riffs and vocal performances from Robert Finley (pictured), The Black Keys, Larry McCray, Tia Carroll, Memphisssippi Sounds and Eddie 9V, plus many many more

A selection of the best Funk releases in 2021, with artists and DJs from all around the world, a variety of styles including West Coast, P-Funk, Acid Jazz, Hammond, NU-Disco, 80's synth funk, Funky Hip-Hop and much more, featuring XL Middleton, Big Sam's Funky Nation (pictured), Moogy Bee, The Allergies, C Da Afro, Anoraak and many more 

A second show dedicated to the music of Philadelphia, this show features many modern artists along with some more classic tunes, featuring Soul, Jazz, Roots, Hip-Hop and loads of tunes from the flourishing Blues scene in Philly, with music from Lisa Chavous (pictured), G Love and Special Sauce, Kindred the Family Soul, Jazzy Jeff, Jedi Mind Tricks, Billy Price and many more

This is my loving tribute to one of music's greatest purple patches, the Philly era of the 70's, when one music label, Philadelphia International Records, created some of the sweetest and funkiest Soul music ever made, launched the careers of some great artists, and created the soundtrack for the Soul Train and Disco eras. Featuring music from the O'Jays, Billy Paul, The Trammps (pictured), People...

A selection of Blues releases from 2021 featuring a number of upcoming talented young stars, along with some established favourites of the show, including the wonderful Errol Linton (pictured), Toby Lee, Cinelli Brothers, Emma Wilson, Connor Selby, Joanne Shaw Taylor and many more

A trip down memory lane to the Hi Energy scene in the early 1980's, spanning the period period between Disco and House, which spread from gay clubs to the mainstream, featuring some great dance music from Sylvester, Divine, Miguel Brown, Patrick Cowley (pictured), Bronski Beat and Bobby O

Highlighting the Australian Blues scene, with some great musicians from stalwarts of the scene to up and coming stars, with a strong focus on music from the Indigenous Australian communities, featuring Dutch Tilders, Marshall and the Fro, Yugul, AC/DC, Marlene Cummins, Geoff Achison and many more

Featuring nominees for the Living Blues awards 2021, with a focus on great female blues and soul artists, with great new music from Nora Jean Wallace (pictured), Bette Smith, Crystal Thomas, Ana Popovic and Bettye Lavette. The boys get a look in too with a great new LP from Sonny Green, and a couple of classics from Jimmy Johnson

A selection of African Jazz artists, and Jazz-influenced African music, including some amazing Ethiopian Jazz, amnd music from right across the continent, featuring Manu Dibango (pictured), Ebo Taylor, Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, Orchestra Baobab and many more

A selection of Funk and Disco-inspired African music from the 70's and 80's, with music from Pasteur Lappe (pictured), Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Geraldo Pino, William Onyeabor, Hugh Masakela and much more

Exploring the music of West Africa and the Sahara region to find clues to the origin of Blues, featuring traditional desert sounds, crossover LPs and modern artists including Ali Farka Toure, Boubacar Traore (pictured), Taj Mahal, Bambino, Djelimady Tounkara, Toumani Diabate and many more

A reprise of my first ever show, back in 2015, with my favourite Blues, Funk, Soul and Jazz classic tunes, featuring Freddie King (pictured), Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, Eddie Harris, Etta James and many more

The best US Blues releases of 2020-21, a time when lockdown has affected live music venues, but artists have got creative in the studio, featuring great new albums from Marcus King, Don Bryant, John Nemeth, Kim Wilson, Bobby Rush and Jeremiah Johnson

A celebration of the contribution of Irish musicians to the Blues and Blues/Rock tradition, featuring legends, newcomers and surprises, with music from Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, Dom Martin, Crow Black Chicken and Van Morrison

A selection of the best UK Blues releases during lockdown 2020 from established stars and some up and coming talent including Connor Selby (pictured), Chris Corcoran, Giles Robson, Catfish, Joanne Shaw Taylor and the late great Peter Green