A blog on Saturday seems called for. Hello drivetimers-we're on again 6-8 today but first things first. Robert Plant was astonishing last night I thought. After about 30 minutes it occurred to me that this was one of those 'privilege to be there' gigs which come around rarely. Its about an artist of Plant's calibre having the time of his life and surrounding himself with a band who are all at the top of their game. Wherever you looked on stage, there was a top flight musician having the time of their life. Will seek out more Buddy Miller tunes as a matter of urgency. When the crowd recognised that 'Rock and Roll" had started they went crazy-in a respectable don't-want-to-hurt-my-back kind of way. And the choir left us with blessing we hadn't expected or asked for but got anyway.

Which brings us to today and Neil Diamond for our 3rd and final Electric Prom. Turns out his new album "Dreams" is the perfect Saturday morning accompaniment when you're a little frazzled. As he has delivered in the last 2 albums, these too are sparse and minimalist tracks but showcase his voice which seems deeper and rougher (in a good way) than before. So Neil will be on tonight and live music from Fyfe Dangerfield and Lauren Pritchard.

If you have Neil stories you'd like to share, concerts you've been too, people you snogged during "Sweet Caroline" and so on, do leave them below and we'll try to include them in the show tonight. And if you can't stand Neil Damond, we'll see you on Monday.

Otherwise, its a 6 o'clock start. See you in the bar.

So I've been up since 4.30, had my breakfast, read the paper, tweeted for England, made the tea for Mrs M, done the emails and it isn't even 0800 am yet. I'll be hyper-active and irritating for a while then crash about 4.55pm. I'm sure you wont notice.

Hope you enjoyed some of the Electric Prom last night, the chat with Elton and Leon was my highlight. It was the one bit we couldn't nail down and weren't sure about. Would it be five minutes only? Might it get cancelled all together? Will Nigel's fish pie fill the gap we need it to? Well as it turned out, it went swimmingly. Being ushered into the inner sanctum is a weird experience. Darkened lighting, sofas and flowers. Leon Russell all ready seated and ready to go, Elton's team lined up by the food and then EJ arrives in a blue tracksuit and we're off. You can listen again if you missed it, I think they were both enjoying themselves.

And a word for Judie Tzuke who sang with her two daughters. Sounded terrific under very trying circumstances-tannoy announcements and rude bar chatter from people who should know better. She's still got it!

So it's Robert Plant today and we warm you up from 5-8 again with an ARF as ever and then we speak to Robert and the legendary Buddy Miller who's in his "Band of Joy".

Plus Lissie returns to reprise her "Stairway to Heaven" performance which was such a hit when she sang it for us a few weeks back. Whether she knows that Mr Plant will be watching I'm not too sure...

But we'll bring you the All request Friday first and I'm of a mind to play some Led Zep. But that's up to you really.

Have a wild Friday, see you at 17.05.

Loved Elvis yesterday. His performance was so intense I couldn't look straight at him. He was staring at me while singing "National Ransom" so I had to look at my notes instead. He thought he'd break his strings and so it proved. Always enjoy speaking to Elvis, one of the most intelligent and warm -hearted guests you can meet.

We have our first three-hour Drivetime today (with apologies to Bob Harris Country fans) as the whole team are based at The Roundhouse in Camden, London where the Radio 2 Electric Proms kick off tonight. They've always been noted for interesting collaborations but now that Radio 2 runs the ship, a line up of Elton John, Robert Plant and Neil Diamond takes some beating.

Our position looks over the gold-paved streets of London and is (coincidentally) next to the bar. On today's show we'll speak to Sir Elton and Leon Russell live and then in our special final hour some big names who have worked with Elton. Rumer will sing live as will Judy Tzuke who was signed to Elton's Rocket records in the 70's. Gary Osbourne and Kiki Dee will be there too.

Quite where Nigel will do his fish pie routine I have no idea bit let's get him cooking for the stars!

And I would love to hear any Elton stories you have. Concerts you went to, albums and singles you were given as presents, memorabilia you still keep. And your favourite EJ song and why, if you have a moment (similar requests for Plant and Diamond stuff on the way).

Have a calm and controlled Thursday. See you at 17.05. For three hours.

Being a child of the new media, I am writing this bulletin while watching a Doobie Brothers documentary. And it's not even breakfast yet. This a half-term luxury where the school-run tyranny holds no sway. Watching DVDs in your pyjamas is not the exclusive preserve of the teens as it turns out. Tom Johnstone and Pat Simmonds on Drivetime very shortly...

Today though it's Elvis Costello time, playing live in the studio. His new album 'National Ransom' is produced by T Bone Burnett (as most things are these days) and I listened to it twice yesterday and It's one of his best I think. Buddy Miller is on it (he plays with Robert Plant on Friday and Leon Russell (who plays with Elton tomorrow) is on it too. I'm looking for a Neil Diamond connection but I'm not their yet. You may know better of course...

And tunes today (inspired by Elvis and Elton) by singers who have changed their names. Just a few to chose from then.

Have a good one, see you at 5.05

I did a very silly thing really. Last night, having watched Spooks (great and daft in equal measure) I retired with a copy of the paper and our new book choice which is Michelle Paver's "Dark Matter". The small print then clearly states very clearly 'A Ghost Story'. Michelle writes children's books normally but this is great. Just not last thing at night. Yesterday's show was performed under the influence of sleep deprivation so the last thing I needed was a spooky book to chisel away at my dreamtime. Ho hum. Bring on the caffeine based refreshment.

David Walliams today, with an all-together easier read, it being his latest kids book 'Billionaire Boy', a story of a boy who is er, a billionaire. But he hasn't got what he wants the most, tickets to see Robert Plant on Friday. DW at 6.

And songs today for THE FRENCH. Apparently the students join the protests today (breaking off from their busy half-term) and there's a new tv show this week about traveling around FRANCE. So France, the French and the Gallic shrug in song. Thanks.

Have a reassuring and affirming Tuesday, see you at 5.05.

Greetings to all bloggers, I hope yours was a fine one. The morning here dawns cold in that special East Anglian way that feels colder than most. A weekend of walks, sausages and onion gravy. Oh and crumble, scrabble and lighting fires. I know that sounds a tad Delia Smith but 'tis all true. The drive from here on this sofa to Radio 2 central seems a long one, so loins need girding.Children need waking.

Busy busy week coming up with the Electric Proms starting on Thursday. We are doing 3 extended shows at the "Roundhouse" in Camden with Drive kicking the whole thing off. Elton John, Robert Plant and Neil Diamond will speak to us before taking to the stage at 8 which means Drivetime gets an extra hour and an extra show on Saturday. Plus Elvis Costello plays live on Wednesday. Hope you've got that, there'll be a short quiz at the end of the next lesson.

Today it's our book club, 2nd sitting. Historical Fiction is where we are with Robyn Young's "Insurrection", the start of new trilogy about Ken's ancestor Robert the Bruce. I've spoken to Robyn before-her Brethren trilogy was extraordinarily successful-and she is one of the few women writing this kind of novel. Check out the first 2 chapters on this site now! Robyn will be with us from 6, our listener reviews will run through the show and Robyn does a web-chat after 6.30.

So I'm thinking we should do epic historical drama on our songs today. Horses, armour, swords, bodices,betrayal, maidens, knights and battles, that kind of stuff. Can't only be Chris De Burgh who writes these tunes surely...

Have a brisk and heartening Monday, see you at 5.05

Ah, it'll be half term that's it. I'm up normal time rattling around but I am clearly on my own with no one hassling me for food or the paper. It is day five of one half term and day one of the other. The eldest is due a 'reading week' soon, a wonderful invention during which no reading ever takes place. But what a great thing to be given a week off to read. That's all you are expected to do-no duties, no meal prep, no obligations at all just the requirement to work your way through a pile of good books. It is, frankly, the only way I'm going to finish all the books that are now coming in to the programme. We have some great Hist-Fic from Robyn Young for Monday and we've just picked the next two which I hope you will love too.

Meantime a two show day takes in 5Live at 2pm with Dr Mark and movies. Today on the show the writer of new film 'Africa United' Rhidian Brook joins us. It's a mad road movie with 5 Rwandan children who decide to travel 3000 miles to the World Cup in South Africa. But they get on the wrong bus etc and it really is quite something to behold.

Then to the gleaming spires of Radio 2 where the weekend is waiting to be unleashed by another All-request Friday. If you fancy jostling for pole position with the standard-setting opening song, please leave in the receptacle below.

Have a fabulous Friday. see you at 2.00/5.00.

P.S. why not check out Simon's cameo appearance in this week's Sporting Challenge Greatest Hits video?

Morning glove wearers. I have 3 left hand brown ones, 2 right hand ones and many I have honestly never seen before in my life. Hence my appearance at a department store glove stand where a punch up was imminent. The last fur lined ones had gone apparently. Anyway everyone seemed to be hunkering down for a long dark winter. Maybe the cuts had something to do with it. So today please, you're most cheerful, optimistic songs are needed. Russell Howard's "Good News show" is back on TV too. So the happiest songs you know are in order, the ones that make you walk in a jaunty manner, smiling at strangers etc.

I told you Taylor Swift had lovely hair and you can see the evidence here:

Nigel offers us Indonesian Sticky Spare Ribs tonight-let me hear you say Amen!

Have an extremity-covered Thursday. See you at 5.05

Watch the videos of Taylor Swift performing her current single plus a Coldplay cover.

Heater on full, frost scraped from windscreen and three men in shorts spotted on the school run. Not joggers, not athletes of any kind, just wearing holiday shorts and flip-flops. Have concluded they must be Drivetimers re-balancing their thermostat.

Yesterday's Homework Sucks! expert in case you missed him, was answering why some people feel the cold more than others. He concluded it's how exposed to the cold you were as a kid but that you can gradually rebalance yourself in later years. This entails (so he argued) slowly exposing yourself to the cold over a long period of time and you'll get yourself re-calibrated. Short-wearers in 2C must be giving it a go. Or impressing a lady.

Today, playing live, is Taylor Swift who has the most fabulous hair of all our live guests this year. Saw her play live last year and it has a starring role in the show. It's tossed, stroked, shaken, tousled and generally required to do a lot of work. This isn't why she's booked of course-she was the biggest selling musician in the US in 2008, has a huge following here and a new album of pop-country songs for you.

And songs today with a cutting theme I think. CUTS is what we are talking about here and you know what to do I believe...

Have an optimistic Wednesday, see you at 17.05

Enjoying listening to Julian Lennon on with Chris this morning. I met him a couple of times in the early 90's and he was always delightful company. At a roadshow in Newquay he came out for a meal with all the team and was disarmingly humble. The memory is only spoiled by my introduction him on stage the following morning as John Lennon. He and I were the only people who didn't notice I think...

So Sir Cliff didn't like my idea of a Johnny Cash/Neil Diamond style album with just him and a guitar. Doesn't mean I'm not right though. I think we got a glimpse of his reasoning earlier when he was talking about 'surrounding himself with great people'. I ended up (ridiculous as this sounds) feeling he didn't have the confidence to do an album on his own. Which is a shame. But then I might be completely wrong...

It's Parky today! Michael Parkinson on the show from 6 talking about his favourite guests from a new book he's done. So in the spirit of Sir Michael lets do songs with a QUESTION in the title. Any question works for me...

Have a surprisingly successful Tuesday, see you at 5.05

A cold bleak drizzly Monday morning a reason for gloom? For shame! Chris is playing the Pretenders, the coffee's on and Cliffs on later. So that's all right then.

Chris was talking earlier about X Factor families and how he thinks half the figures are people who watch under duress. In other words, men. Top journalist and broadcaster David Hepworth tweeted on Saturday that he believed most men were sitting in the kitchen reading books about the war. For me, Stalingrad did start to feel more inviting once "Diva Fever" had begun to do their thing.

Today's top guest is none other than Sir Cliff Richard-here after 6 tonight. He's done a swing album called "Bold as Brass" but more to the point, he's 70 years old and still got it. My theory, which I intend to put to him casually, is that he should do a Johnny Cash,

or a Neil Diamond. Get into a studio with a top producer and a guitar and nothing else. Choose some mighty songs and knock'em dead again. Just a thought...

So today tunes to mark the First Click campaign to get people online. COMPUTERS, TECHNOLOGY and the INTERNET would seem to cover it really. Your real challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with songs that fit from the 60s and 70s. You know you can if you rummage...

Anyway that'll do for now. See you at 17.05, enjoy an encouraging Monday.

This blog is red hot. It never gets a chance to cool down. Where do you go in the middle of the night, just to say you're still up? Drivetime blog that's where. I'm even tempted to get up at 3am tomorrow morning just to see if anyone is there. Based on yesterday, I'd say the answer is yes. You're never alone with the Drivetime bloggers...

Have texted Matt to find out how Guns n Roses turned out last night. So far - silence. His confidence wasn't high that everything would be straightforward. Like the band turning up on time, that kind of thing. Review might have to wait till showtime.

Nigel's lamb was something to behold last night (and here's a lovely pic to prove it)and pleased some of you feel the same way about the mint.

Poor man spilt most of the remaining jar (and that's most of it) on the carpet, so if assorted R2 presenters start slipping and sliding all over in the studio, you'll know who/what to blame.

Two shows today as ever. Movies at 1400 on 5L with David Arnold, Anton Corbijn and Dr Mark Kermode. Then the taxi bike to Radio 2 for the mighty ARF. ARF openers below please! Have a rather pleasant Friday.

Morning bloggers. All well? Quiet one at this end-kids keep disappearing to do more grown-up things. Nest still busy, just more room in it and fewer grubs needed. Which is a shame as leg of lamb tonight with Nigel sounds like a belter. I am however a hard-liner on the issue of mint sauce. It really is not acceptable to serve this British classic without a hint of the mint. Please don't try that at home. Nigel will work his magic from 6 as ever.

Hope you enjoyed Pixie Lott last night. She has always impressed the Radio 1 crowd but cutting it with us wiser folk is a tougher ask. However I thought she really impressed last night - you can see the films here as well as my lovely photo of her and the band. Terrifyingly, she was born in 1991. That is why she can be forgiven for forgetting 'The Real Thing' as the band who originally recorded 'You To Me Are Everything'. Good grief.

And tunes today please to mark the NASA symposium on 'the search for signs of LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE'. It opens today in Virginia. To quote Eric Idle 'Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere out in space cos there's b***** all down here on earth'. Those top tunes below please...

Apologies for lateness, this was the fault of Bombay Mix. One innocent mouthful of that lovely night time snack and I was a tooth down. So today's trip to the dentist has knocked out the schedule somewhat, not to mention all feeling in my gums. No coffee has passed my lips for fear of dribble and being pointed at ("that looks like that bloke off the radio, what a state-shall we give him money?). I am told that all feeling will have returned by 5pm but you will be the judge of that.

Assuming all is normal we welcome Pixie Lott to drivetime, she sings in the Great British Songbook Library (in reality, a space between 2 sofas) after 6. We'll be filming Pixie and you'll be able to watch her performance on the website very soon after the show.

And songs please to mark the fact that the new Wall Street movie is number 1 in the USA. So that's songs about GREED please. Whatever you fancy,as long as GREED is writ all the way through it.

And I officially apologise to the whole of Radio 2 for infecting them with the Bill Bailey cold. Chris is suffering with it big time but there is comfort from the knowledge that it is a comedy cold with its roots deep in showbiz. So much classier than the common cold dont' you think?

Must go, I feel a tingle somewhere...

Simon is at the dentist...

Greetings to all Drivetime bloggers. I am contemplating listening this morning to Emerson Lake and Palmer -The Ultimate Collection - which I have just found still in its cellophane wrapping. It includes, in case this tempts, a limited edition bonus disc Live At Anaheim 73-74. 3 cds of ELP I never knew I had and am not sure if I'll get through. I am intrigued enough to make a start however. But if any of you were at the Anaheim gig, is it worth the time and effort? Maybe Karn Evil 2nd Impression Parts 1 and 2 needs to be heard in its live context, in front of the loyal Californians, to be fully appreciated. I'm still on Disc 1 at the moment, I'll let you know.

I thought Rebecca Hunt was lovely yesterday and considering how nervous she was, gave a good account of herself and her book. Next up is some historical fiction with Robyn Young's 'Insurrection'. You can read 2 chapters on this site right now.

Salman Rushdie today, he has a new (sort of) kids book out and we'll talk to him after 6.

And tunes today on MINES, MINERS and MINING. The Chileans are due to be rescued tomorrow and there are many songs to consider here. Your choices down below please.

Hope Tuesday is a good one for you, see you 5.05. Now back to Aquatarkus...sing along everyone.

Up since 4.30 and got a head full of nonsense. Will try to make sense of everything before 5pm or we'll be in for an interesting show.

This is partly due to Mumford and Sons who I saw again on Saturday. It was a fine gig, they were really buzzing and genuinely blown away by the reception they got. They are off to the States soon and play the Ryman in Nashville next month - they should storm the place! The special 1-night only bonus was an appearance (and a version of 'Days') from Ray Davies which went down a storm.

Weather still great here and many have been expressing surprise at the sun and warmth. However, as someone who notices this weekend every year (as it's my wedding anniversary) it is regularly the last decent weather weekend of the year. It's downhill all the way to next April from here.

Well today sees the arrival of our first book in the Radio 2 Book Club. Debut novelist Rebecca Hunt's 'Mr Chartwell' is the novel in question. Books have been distributed, reviews received and Rebecca will be in at 6, followed by a web chat too. We'll announce our next book too which looks like historical fiction to me...

And tunes today on THE GENDER GAP. There's a report out looking at the the gap between men's earnings and women's (men earning 16% more by the way) so that'll do for us I think. So it's that thorny Venus/Mars issue please, the gender gap tunes in the box below.

Enjoy your Monday, or a part of it anyway...see you at 5.05.

Well well a busy day all round yesterday. It's quite a circus when big pop stars come to town and Gary and Robbie singing together was quite an event I think. You can watch the videos of the songs now on this here site and see if you can spot members of the team walking hither and thither as they attend to their duties. While being distracted by the boys. Confesions and the quiz all back Monday.

A two show day again and the first is live from the Phoenix cinema in Finchley. Its 100 years old and been refurbished in a lovely way (so Kermode tells me). Very excitingly, our guest is Aaron Sorkin who wrote the West Wing, one of my favourite TV shows of all time. In fact probably THE favourite. He's written the screenplay for The Social Network, a film about the students who created Facebook. It is compelling drama and highly recommended.

Then the bike! And time for another All Request Friday. All those plans,parties and performances to hear about and only two hours to fit them all in. That song you fancy? You know, the noisy one for 1705? The inviting box below is there for you...

Wow that was a busy blog yesterday, a real hornets nest (beehive?) of activity. And a man from the internet side of things (official department name) told me this is the most 'messaged' radio presenter blog in the BBC. Which makes you all rather special I'd have thought. So I'll keep going if you will. I raise my almost-cold coffee to you all.

Loved Ronnie Wood yesterday. Everything I brought up he wanted to talk about. We could have gone on for ever. Today is slightly different as Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow sing live but they have to be gone by 6.15. I know. They have a train/plane to catch or somesuch, so we have re-jigged things to accommodate them. First tune will be around 5.45 and the second at 6.10. This means that there is no confession today and Nigel's Tarte Tatin will have to wait a while. Mind you if Robbie fancies some, it's his.

And the (further) good news is that Kate Humble and her AUTUMNWATCH buddies are back tonight. Autumn is apparently late this year so that means spectacular colours are imminent! And there is a bumper crop of nuts and berries to rummage around in. So its AUTUMNWATCH oldies if you have a thought.

Message away. And have a lovely sunny Thursday-see you at 5.05.

(gets coffee, collapses into chair, fires up the blog, sighs. The kind of school run that makes me want to move to Auckland. And relax. Puts on new Ben Folds disc. Nice)

Good morning bloggers of the Drivetime collective. There is good weather coming we are told, hope things are bright with you.

Managed to go and see the rather wonderful Thea Gilmore last night in Camden. I've never seen her before and was really looking forward to it as her last two records have been firm favourites in our kitchen.

She didn't disappoint either, her new songs sound like standards to me. Bar crew were noisy and there was phone interference on the PA but she is a forceful presence on stage and she triumphed in the end. Nice one Thea. Go see her if you can.

Today it's Ronnie Wood time. It's not every day a Stone rolls into town so don't miss him-his new solo album is one of his best he's done.

And let's do APPRENTICE tunes please as that man SUGAR is back on your TV tonight with the latest parade of overly eager, off-putting wannabe salesmen and women. Songs to match? You know you have one...

Have a rewarding Wednesday, see you at 1705 (or whenever is convenient).

Hello bloggers of the Drivetime collective, a soggy and mild one here.

A few new pages for you to check out (if you haven't done so already) for our Book Club.

We'll put up all the details of our books as we decide on them and our first 'Mr Chartwell' is up and shiny. You can read the .first few pages if you fancy too.

I'm hoping that I can send a regular newsletter to everyone signed up to the bookclub which will keep everyone up to date with our ideas, what the reviews are like and future plans. I've never been in a bookclub but I love books and hope we can bring you the best ones. If you have any requests and comments, do let us know!

I now have six books waiting to be read and no chance whatsoever of finishing any of them...

So today's show feature the great Joe Cocker on his new album, that has tempted him down from the mountains where he lives. Joe after 1800.

And having done red and yellow, it's time for BLUE. Tories are having their conference this week so BLUE oldies if you have a moment...

Hoping you have a splendid Tuesday, see you at 1705

And a very good Monday morning to all DT bloggers, I hope your weekend was everything you wanted it to be. it's a damp one here but splendid anyway.

Inspired by Nigel's Veggie Balti, and the arrival of 20 friends, I decided to spend Saturday devoted to chopping. And then more chopping. And just to round the evening, a little more chopping. It all ended in a big pot and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Compliments all round and quite a few glances at spouses intended to mean 'why can't you do that?' Maybe I've lost friends after all. (Mind you I don't remember Nigel mentioning the wind factor on this one. A gale warning would have been appropriate)

That all meant I spent Saturday listening to the radio and while enjoying Graham's new show, found myself drawn to 5Live's Ryder Cup coverage. I don't get golf really and can't be bothered with all the dress codes and formality. But I loved it all and was drawn into every put and drive, a top job from my old colleagues. And young Chris Evans was obviously having the time of his life too!

Today we welcome Cyndi Lauper to Drivetime, the 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' star has done a blues album "Memphis Blues' and on a Paul Jones day too. Cyndi after 6.

And I think we should do RAIN oldies. Let's here it for precipitation. RAIN has featured in stacks of tunes so let's get the ball squelching...(and don't bother with Supertramp-played on Friday!)

And a happy October to all bloggers wherever they be. A vile and stormy one chez Mayo. Yesterday recorded an interview with Ronnie Wood which you can hear next week. He's on top form and full of life. His new record has a bunch of his mates on and he's singing like a cross between Randy Newman and Bob Dylan.

Today is a 2 show Friday with rain being a factor. 5 Live has the Ryder Cup all weekend so the plan is Mark and I will be live streamed from 2 for an hour with the show being broadcast at 9 tonight. But if that rain keeps falling the golf might get postponed for a while, in which case we'll get put on for longer. Eminently flexible-that's us.

And then I'll get the ferry to Radio 2 for an All Request Friday-choose that song now!

Then I perform the role of quizmaster at a local church fundraiser which is fun and jolly unless you get the serious quizzers arriving. They forget that IT'S ALL FOR FUN and start getting shirty. I'll try and be Ken Bruce but it can get stressful you know. Child 3 will be the scorer-what can possibly go wrong?

Have a fine Friday!