What ho! Chris is playing Sparks and all is well with the world. I am easily pleased. Relentless misery from the news but one 70's pop single that has many happy memories and I'm fine again. That's why Radio 2 is such a wonderful place to be (no really). Loved having Caro Emerald on yesterday, then Jamie calling in and duetting with Eliza Doolittle on his show. What a place to be! If you missed either Caro or Eliza on Jamie, they are both worth checking out if you get the chance. The listener response to Caro was wonderful-real warmth and appreciation. I loved her singing in Dutch too, even if she wasn't convinced. Are some languages just not rock and roll enough? And why is Italian best for opera? Is English not operatic enough? I'm sure bloggers know about these things.

Today we have Max Hastings on the show. His book 'All Hell Let Loose' was described in The Sunday Times as 'unquestionably, the best single volume history of the war ever written.' Now that is a recommendation. He has written 20 books, many about the second world war, received many awards and was knighted in 2002. He is always a most engaging interviewee and you can hear him after 6.

And tunes today? Well I think it is time for another dose of OPTIMISM. We need some musical therapy and you are the therapists. Songs please of unbridled HOPE and GOOD CHEER will provide the perfect haven from those running from the news.

Have a positive and tune-filled Wednesday, see you after 5.

Tuesday, gloomy and mild around the estate. School run completed in (near) silence. A studious silence now, so I had better do something with it. Hello bloggers and a merry day to you all.

I can happily report that "Hugo", the new Martin Scorsese film is wonderful. Sir Ben Kingsley will be on the show soon (recording today) and it is a thing of 3D wonder. I'm not sure it's as much of a children's film as the poster implies, but a family film certainly. The boy in it, Asa Butterfield, will have you charmed from the off. Gather the grumpy hordes, stump up for the inflated 3D prices and enjoy. My esteemed colleague in filmdom Mark Kermode is, as you might know, somewhat of a 3D sceptic and I am yet to discern his thoughts on this one (even though he was sitting next to me) but I think it's a 3D film for those who don't like 3D. For this film at least, there is a point to it, it isn't just a fairground ride. So there.

Anyway it is nearly show time (no it isn't) and thoughts turn to our musical guest, the delightful Caro Emerald. Her album "Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor" has released enough tracks to keep us in jazz/samba/salsa tunes for many months. You might have seen/heard her at the Hyde Park gig in September and if not, then tonight's the night.

And (in a desperate attempt to avoid the gloomy headlines) with EMERALDS in mind, how about PRECIOUS STONES, GEMS AND JEWELS for the oldies. Whichever take your fancy really.

Have a sparkly and glam Tuesday (well there's always a first). See you after 5.

A blog written from the cinema. I know I know but someone has to do it. This mornings treat is Hugo in 3D which is new from Martin Scorcese. Hoping to interview him tomorrow for 5 Live and also Sir Ben Kingsley who stars in it, for Drivetime. Maybe it's the Protestant work ethic or something, but a movie on a Monday and in the morning still seems the height of decadence. I shall sit here feeling guilty. But will get over it.

Hope all your weekends were good ones. I'm not in the Christmas mood just yet,despite ordering a tree and listening to a panpipes version of 'We Three Kings' this morning. I fear this has had the opposite effect. So to balance things I'll listen again to the Smith and Burrows 'When The Thames Froze' which is the finest new festive tune I've heard in years. A little bit 'Lean on Me', a little 'Fairytale of New York' and a big old optimistic chorus on a slightly sad series of verses. And no panpipes.

Today it's Bookclub time and Conn Iggulden delivers "Conqueror", the last on a series about Mongol leaders Ghengis and Kublai Kahn. It's vivid, bloody and gripping historical fiction from a man brought up on Hornblower, Flashman and Jack Aubrey. And you can read some here for no money.

And oldies today please on the subject of WAITING. It's an Advent thing. Advent, as I recall, is all about waiting and something no one does anymore. What do we want? Instant Gratification! When do we want it? Now! You know how it goes.

Have a patient and calm Monday, see you just after 5. If you can wait that long.

Well lateness is always disrespectful. Punctuality is worth striving for and if you fail, even if it's not entirely your fault, penance is appropriate. A tardy blog is a short blog anyway...

so if I haven't missed you.

5Live first for some movie nonsense. Director Terence Davies talks about the Deep Blue Sea and Michael Shannon on Take Shelter. And Dr Kermode will fill any gaps. Like cavity-wall insulation.

But hark! The all request Friday is back to its usual shape and your participation would be a blessing. Your totally unbeatable opening song can be placed below. This week, it could be you. Again.

Have a punctual and effective Friday. See you at 2&5.

What Ho! Thursday hoves into view with bounteous treasures. Or another dull day of not much really. Could go either way. Almost went to see the magnificent Gillian Welsh but in the end supported the equally splendid Princes Trust with their Rock Gala at the Royal Albert Hall. Paddy Kielty and Edith Bowman were hosting what, at times, was an 80's love fest. The band revolved around Midge Ure, Nik Kershaw and Mark King with assorted singers wandering on to do a turn. Julian Lennon, Chris de Burgh, Boy George, and Joss Stone for example, then Tim Minchin did 2 songs and Pete Townshend closed the show. Afterwards I think we stole Jerry Hall's cab. She'll be fine. The PT has always been a mixture of the high powered glitterati that Prince Charles can attract and the really front line work they do with young people, particularly young offenders. A good thing, in my opinion.

I am making up for missing out on Gillian Welsh by blogging whilst listening to her The Harrow and the Harvest album. You might have seen her on Later last week. Great tunes.

Nigel promising the best ever Irish stew tonight. Stobhach Gaelach as they say. Meat. Pot. Veg. Oven. It must be trickier than that. And odds on, it'll come from Bratislava originally-Nige will explain all after 6.

And it is THANKSGIVING today in the USA, so happy Thanksgiving to all American readers. I wish we had this rather wonderful festival here I must say but we can do a little with THANKSGIVING oldies. Even though times are tough, we all have a lot to be very grateful for. Count your blessings was the old wisdom and that seems worth remembering when all the headlines make for grim reading. So songs with gratitude would work well. We did this last year of course but it's a seasonal pleasure. My guess is next year might be similar...

Have a gorgeous and headturning Thursday, see you after 5.

Hello hello you bloggers. What's happening with you? The estate is leaf covered again even though they were all gone moments ago. There was a wasp outside yesterday and I killed what I thought was a mozzie with an advent calendar. And the grass is is still growing. Apart from that, all is normal.

Last night's work's do was something to behold. It was, in truth, only management showing slides and videos but a glance around the room revealed Sir Tim Rice, Graham Norton, Gambo, Hot Rockin' Desmond Carrington From Perthshire, Scotland, Dermot, Steve, Chris , Ken and most of your favourites. Indeed you might be saying 'so what? that's who we would expect.' And you'd be right but we never see each other, so a good natter (as Mike Harding would say) was in order. A lovely photo was taken which will be shown for the next 20 years when the occasion dictates.

Today we welcome Geoffrey Palmer, one of our finest actors. From Reggie Perrin, "Butterflies" and "As Time Goes By" he has, by his own admission, cornered the market in 'dull plodding men'. He is fronting a campaign to get us involved in a nationwide campaign to make sure older folk don't spend Christmas alone. It's called "Companionship at Christmas" and Geoffrey will explain after 6.

And tunes today please for the ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. This is because cuddly Ed Balls reveals in Total Politics magazine that it regularly reduces him to tears. Of laughter. It is, he says, when a big valuation leads a member of the public to say "It means more to me than money." That's generally the point at which I start to guffaw, wondering how much time will elapse before we see the priceless heirloom under the auctioneer's hammer.

My general rule of thumb is: the more composed the expression, the bigger the pound signs in the eyes. So the joys of the Antiques Roadshow please, celebrated in song.

Have a day of small triumphs and smiles. See you at 5.

Good morning from misty north London where the coffee is fresh and heating is on. Chris is on the radio and sounding top as usual - I realise I have a new theory. When the news is relentlessly bad, there comes a point where you think 'I've listened. I've tried to understand. Now I want to hear some Kate Bush (or Beatles/Pink Floyd/ELO/S&G?Squeeze maybe). The worse it gets, the better the tunes have to be. Standards must be kept. On with the hits.

Enjoyed the Russell Watson chat yesterday. There was a point in the second half of the interview where he was talking about his operation and the 'choice' he felt he made, where there was a sheen to his eyes I hadn't noticed before. He certainly seems to feel blessed to have survived and has a better attitude to life. As I have written before, I always wonder whether it's possible to achieve that positive, enjoy-each-day attitude, without going through a near-death trauma. Something to aim for...

Today we welcome Jeff Wayne to talk War of the Worlds. As you bloggers l know, I did a press launch with him last Friday when they announced Liam Neeson in the Richard Burton role for a new tour next year. I shall enjoy having him on as I remember listening to him launch it the first time when I was a student in my first year at Warwick University listening to Round Midnight with Brian Matthew. I thought then that it sounded a great idea and it still has some great songs on it (though I always skip The Red Weed). Jeff Wayne at 6.

And so we should do songs about MARS, MARTIANS and anything you can link to the RED PLANET. That'll do nicely.

Have a successful and profitable Tuesday, see you after 5

A dreary Monday it may be but job well done for all those bloggers who tirelessly answered the phones and took pledges all day long. There is a type of knackered which comes from doing good things- a righteous knackeredness if you like-and that's what you should be feeling. And a pretty good total I think you'll all agree.

Aside from that, I should tell you that being on Radio 4's "Infinite Monkey Cage" (which had been scaring me all day) was great fun, even if I was by some margin, the stupidest person on the stage. The highlight was afterwards when child 3 was discussing quantum physics with Professor Brian Cox for a good 10 minutes. The producer was not the only one thinking she had the wrong Mayo on the panel.

Yesterday I went to sample the delights of Mark Knopfler and Bob Dylan who were playing at the Hammersmith Apollo. This clearly was a show waiting to happen since Mark produced Bob's "Slow Train Coming" in 1979. Well I can report that Mark was brilliant and his band (with John McCusker and Mike McGoldrick) first rate. I can also report that in my view Bob was terrible. I am out of step with the rest of the audience who whooped and clapped but it seemed to me they were applauding the memory of great songs, not the versions they had just heard. Sure it's great to be there when Bob does Tangled Up In Blue, Desolation Row And Like a Rolling Stone but he didn't actually sing any of them, he growled them. When the crowd joined in the 'How does it feeeeeeel', it was the first thing with a tune for a while. Since Mark Knopfler in fact. After a while I had had enough.

So today we welcome Russell Watson to Drivetime who has this year returned to the stage after his battles with cancer. He thinks his voice is even better than it was and you can judge for yourselves tonight after 6.

And today, in case you didn't know, is International Hello Day where we are invited to say hello to ten people at least. So we'll do songs that say HELLO in anyway, or contain a GREETING or SALUTATION of some sort. And then you've done your duty.

Have an organised and thorough Monday, see you after 5

Well this will be a whirlwind. Not just Children in Need/Bloggers on Tour day. Today is a day for the fast moving. This morning I'm at a launch for the new War of the Worlds tour. Yes it's back and this time with the lovely Liam Neeson playing the Richard Burton role. I'm chatting to Jeff Wayne and Liam Neeson at a swanky do in London this morning and it all looks rather wonderful. Its a live webcast and more like Live aid than a press conference. But then the music starts. You know every note and every ooh-lah. I'll tell Liam you say hi.

Then to 5L for a little movie chat followed by my bit of the CiN Jukebox with a special Dr Mosh sequence as he takes house calls and ROCKS generally.

And instead of then just taking it easy, I'm due in stage at the BBC Radio Theatre for Radio 4's Infinite Monkey Cage with Prof Brian Cox and Robin Ince which will be fun and terrifying in equal measure.

Then it's wine time.

And well done to Ahab and Bellowhead for a great show last night and to the Bellowhead boys particularly for their silver disc(s). Well deserved and a spectacular tour.

Have a an energising, fund raising, sparkly Friday. See you after 5.

A whole half-hour of merry chatter from the school runners (5 of them today), top topic for conversation was which is the most rubbish teacher and why did their team leave 10-1 yesterday? I could have had exactly the same conversations when I was at school. The answers I would have given at the same age would be a) they're all rubbish and b) because no one cares. I left that school soon afterwards to join the merry-go-round of education.

I followed all that with a cheery trip around London's most scenic roadworks and slow-changing traffic lights. Then, full of the joys and with a song in my heart, it is time to start the business of the day. Hello! Good Morning! Hooray for Thursdays!

(Today's blog accompaniment is the new Kate Bush album '50 Words for Snow' which I will need to live with for a while before pronouncing on. It is a very late night, smoky affair with each track a complex and intense epic. I don't think they are planning for too many hit singles...) Today we anticipate the deliciousness of an autumnal crumble. Even writing the words has set my stomach off (another borborygmus episode as we say on drivetime). The crumble has to be pushing the treacle tart for the king of puddings title and Nigel will deliver big time. I will demand extra portions as I then need to pop over to Shepherd's Bush to present the mighty Bellowhead with a silver disc for Hedonism. As they gave us the Sony for best music show, this seems only fair...

And songs today please for the art, science and application of ENGINEERING. There is a new £1 million prize for exceptional achievement so its BRIDGES, TUNNELS, ROADS and the world of ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL AND GEORGE STEPHENSON. You get the picture. And a million pounds for the best suggestion (no there isn't).

Have a well constructed and beautifully crafted Thursday. See you after 5

Good morning from the estate, looking dreary and a tad too leafy. I can never quite get all the leaves up as they are stuck in the grass which I should have cut just the once more before putting the mower away. But seems wrong to cut the grass in November. Like going to the cinema on a Monday, it just doesn't seem right (this maybe the protestant work ethic gone mad).

Yesterday I was delighted to see Ted Beston again. Ted was a legendary producer at Radio 1 and my first on the breakfast show in 1988. He was famously Jimmy Saville's producer for many years and I remember Jimmy on the Old Record Club on a Sunday afternoon asking Ted how much time he had left on the show. Through some kind of audible talkback system, Ted's voice would appear saying "One more record Jim" and the show would conclude. In honour of Ted I asked Colin, one of our top studio managers at the time, to rig up a similar system when I was on the breakfast show so that we could hear his contribution to the 'guess the age of the celeb' feature. Colin happily joined in- most of his engineering colleagues were somewhat more reluctant! Anyway, Ted told me that Jimmy Saville, who fronted the Green Shield Stamps ads, opted to be paid for his services in stamps. So when he came to buy his latest Rolls Royce, he paid for it with books and books and books of stamps. Yes really. I don't recall any cars featuring in the GSS catalogues we looked at but maybe there were celeb editions we never saw.

Loved talking to Terry Pratchett yesterday. He is endlessly fascinating and a man, despite everything, at the peak of his powers. As he said, 3 of his best books have been written while he has had Alzheimers and there are 3 more on the go. A remarkable man.

Today we welcome film director Sir Alan Parker who was nominated twice for best director at the Oscars (Mississippi Burning and Midnight Express) but his debut was Bugsy Malone. But before it was a film, it was a story invented to keep his 4 children occupied on long journeys. He created a world of gangsters and showgirls in New York City but featuring only children. The novel has come out as an 'Essential Modern Classic' and Sir Alan will tell more after 6.

And songs please on the theme of BORDERS. These are much in the news as to who crosses them and with whose permission but they have been sung about too (is that the rustle of the Al Stewart fan club preparing themselves?) Crossing and borders always seems very exciting so let's see what we can manage. Or you can manage.

Have a freeflowing and unrestricted Wednesday, see you after 5.

Apparently cherry juice helps. Sleep that is. In the mad world of the sleep deprived, any new development or scientific announcement is grabbed. I'll be off shortly to queue for some but it'll probably be sold out by then. It's the 4.30 am moment that's the killer; I might as well get up and go do something useful with the extra hours. And 5pm seems a long way away! Meantime a screening beckons at 10.30. I'm sure the nations film hacks won't notice a snoozer on the back row...

Enjoyed the chat with Michael Connelly yesterday and the web chat afterwards was the best yet. You can still get a chapter for free here and we hope to announce our new book today. Our guest tonight is another giant in the world of books Sir Terry Pratchett. His new book is called "Snuff" and is another of his Discworld novels. It's funny, it's smart and everything you've come to expect from Sir Terry. His Alzheimer's hasn't-apparently-slowed his story rate down with 2 more books on the way. Don't miss TP after 6.

And in keeping with our guest, let's do FANTASY oldies please. His realm is Science Fantasy of course but feel free to take it anywhere you like.

Have a cheery and cherry-filled Tuesday, see you after 5.

Apparently I had quite an amazing weekend. First, I was attacked in the street by an irate Bruce Forsyth and then child2 reports that I'm having an affair. Now before you get too carried away, the Bruce moment was in my dream and the affair was in child 2's. This was a more eventful weekend than the facts suggest; I cooked a meal, hoovered up some leaves and went to the supermarket. It is true I was attacked but only by the garden rake. I was pulling some cable from the shed with some gusto, not realising it was wrapped around the rake, which then flew at my head. I had to take a few hours off to read the papers.

So Monday seems damp and dull so a little drivetime blogging to lighten the day I think. Trying to work out who is getting quite a struggle but I'm getting there. It's a bit like a post-colonial map the world as countries and cities decide to change their names; an info-graphic (as I believe it is called ) would help.

Today it's a book club choice and it is Michael Connelly with his latest Harry Bosch novel 'The Drop'. Michael writes top quality crime fiction and this is another fine story-you can download a chapter here and read all about Michael. The whole of the web-chat with Laini Taylor is well worth a look too while you're there. I've spoken to Michael before and he has a dry, drole approach to these interviews. Let's see what we can do this evening after 6.

And for the songs, I think we should do 'I'M A CELEBRITY' tunes. This gives us the opportunity to do ANT and DEC, the JUNGLE and 'CELEBRITY CULTURE' all in one hit. Pick anything you want although 'Who are You' by The Who which would work well, did just get played for songs of forgetfulness. If you remember. So IACGMOOH (as it isn't known) tunes please.

Have a pain-free and good-news Monday. See you after 5.

Each to his own. Cloud cover-100%. Sun 0%. Can be drab but love the mildness, hate the cold. I think it dates from cycling to school and cursing the ice and biting winds which seemed to blow against me both to and from school. So long may the mild weather last! Keep that pesky sun at bay behind the strato-cumulus duvet we have here!

A word on song mentions. The truth is that Good Bird Noises Paul has it exactly with comment 143 yesterday. You are at the heart of the song choices, while being (obviously!)a tiny fraction of the total audience, and that is the issue really. Sometimes names are included, sometimes not. Sometimes they are bloggers, texters or tweeters. Or it's a team choice. Or I forget to mention names. And usually just the one per show. Bu there wouldn't be the selection that there is without your clever choices so please keep them coming. I will mention names when I can but even if they aren't, it doesn't mean you are taken for granted. I hope that all makes sense.

Anyway I take all the comments about Welsh Rarebit back. Nigel's creations were terrific and the mature cheddar option was really hitting the spot. Clearly all I needed to add was the stout. Silly me. It helps that by 6pm we are all starving and maybe there were some memories of student life here, but it's a definite option for that Sunday at 6pm moment. You don't want a meal but fancy something more sustaining than crisps. Nige wins again.

So a Friday with 2 shows again. Director John Landis joins Mark and me on 5 Live to talk about his book about monsters and reviews of the weeks big films. Then to R2 for a lovely ARF. The starting gun for the weekend/drive home/meal prep. The blue touch paper to light (without retiring). Over to you...

Have a distinguished and memorable Friday, see you after 2 and 5 on 5 and 2.

Greetings apologies for late blog meetings will be held. This is the blog of officially the smelliest show on radio. Others can only look on and marvel. Opening a can of Surstromming on the show was considered unwise. Wisely. Our Swedish friends advised us against it. Fermented Baltic Herring they said has little in it's favour and it should be eaten outdoors with bread and alcohol. We had no intention of eating it of course merely exisiting in the same room as it. Well I managed to complete the feature at least. To start with I thought it would be a non event but when the wave of nastiness hit me it was only a matter of time before sense overcame professionalism and we scarpered so that Rebecca could interview Alistair Darling. Such is Drivetime. If you look up Surstromming in Wikipedia it now contains a reference to our bravery. Radio history indeed.

To make up for all that Nigel prepares and delivers the best Welsh Rarebit of your life. It is only posh cheese on toast so heaven knows how he can make it last 20 minutes but we'll think of something. At least it will take away the stench of pickled fermented fish from the toilet.

And for oldies I think we should go with FORGETFULNESS this is because in the UAS Republican hopefull Rick Perry has blown his chances of getting the nomination by forgetting his own policies. He said he would abolish three government departments "commerce, education and eh... let me see...sorry...oops..." Oops indeed. We've all done similar of course but we don't want to be president of the USA. FORGETTING in all it's tuneful guises welcome.

Have a spectacular and memorable Thursday...see you after 5.!!

Well the harmonies worked. In fact we had so many terrific suggestions, we could have fllled the whole show with them. But S&G, Mamas&Papas, Crowded House, Judie Tzuke and the Everly's is not bad. Was hoping to get round to my favourite suggestion which was Trio of the Fates by JP Rameau described by the great Andrea Sella at UCL as 'surrealist harmonies from 1733'. I've just watched some and feel rather good about it. It won't be troubling the R2 playlist but splendid anyway. Wanted to try and get some CSN&Y on but Judy T. won as she was clocking in at 2 minutes and we were, as normal, running out of time. Once we run long, we can't catch up and it's all my fault. Well me and Jules Holland anyway.

My rubbish day courtesy of the signals at Stowmarket was crowned by an onrushing cold (thanks Rebecca) and I hope the sniffing wasn't too audible or off-putting. Rick Stein didn't notice I think but it was fun to talk fish and Cornwall with him. Today we talk rhythms, hits and survival with Nile Rogers. An extraordinary life. His upbringing, Chic, Sister Sledge, producing D.Bowie, D. Ross and D. Duran. The death of his writing partner Bernard Edwards and his fight against cancer. He is a man with a few stories to tell (most of which we can't talk about!) but he's an engaging and fascinating man and you can hear him from 6pm.

And tunes today about BAD BEHAVIOUR and BREAKING THE RULES. I have sworn a mighty oath against Saturday night TV but the departure of Frankie Cocozza from the X factor after admitting to many misdemeanours and 'rock star behaviour', will serve us well I think.

Have a well-behaved and law-abiding Wednesday, see you after 5.

To drive or to go by train? Always a tricky one, especially if time is tight. Ok, I'll use the train (always a favourite anyway). Tickets bought, exorbitant price paid, up early. Coffee in hand, place in queue secured...train cancelled. Signalling failure at Stowmarket or some such. Queue for 'sorry we've been a bit rubbish' form to fill in and adjourn to coffee shop to blog. Time to reconsider the day...

But wasn't yesterday fun? Did think that Kenny Wayne Shepherd was tip top. As soon as they started rehearsing the chords for 'Oh Well' during the Quo, they just oozed class. No sound check, no rehearsal, just great playing and great music. More on Paul Jones' programme at the end of the month.

Oh and the Knicker confession wasn't bad either.

Today we welcome Rick Stein to the show to talk about the biggest foodie event of the year, the BBC Good Food Show Winter. Rick is always talked about as one of our great chefs and Nigel mentioned him specifically last week when I asked him about the claim that Jamie Oliver was the best in the land. It'll be all broths, roasts and puddings from 6.

And for the oldies, how about HARMONY. This is because there's a Simon And Garfunkel documentary tonight on BBC1 about the making of "Bridge Over Troubled Water". So. I reckon you could either suggest songs ABOUT harmony or songs WITH great harmonies. Or maybe both.

So, back to the queue marked 'I know we messed up but don't expect me to pleasant' to see how I get my ticket price refunded. This could be fun.

Have a straightforward, easy running Tuesday. See you after 5.

Good morning to bloggers all, wherever you may be. I hope the weekend was a fine one. I took it upon myself to try one of Nigel's recent recipes- the superfood chicken and smoothie curry one from the book by Gurpareet Bains. Finding Nigella seeds proved too much even for out lovely smart supermarket that sells that kind of thing. It wasn't helped by the fact that I had no idea what they look like and that the 'herbs and spices manager' had never seen them either. So what's a chap to do? Obviously ring Nigel! He was about to talk about cheese somewhere but caught him in time for him to tell me that black onion seeds are just as good. Of course they are. Anyway the result was pretty fine if fiery and everyone declared themselves impressed (but they would wouldn't they). Then we let off a few fireworks around the estate, finding the 'retire 25 metres' instruction a tad difficult as it meant we had to congregate in the hall to watch what was happening in the garden. I tried to inform the younger members present about jumping jacks and bangers that used to be sold here but are now banned-they feigned interest and went to a party. And that was that.

Today! We welcome multi-million selling blues/rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd to Drivetime. He doesn't read music, is completely self taught and his father in law is Mel Gibson! He has been nominated for 5 Grammy awards and opened for the likes of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and The Eagles. He is very welcome to come in, noodle around with his guitar and help prepare the way for Paul Jones at 7.

Tunes today for the troubled EURO. Yes it's time to bend your minds to that most talked about currency and work out some songs that might-at a pinch-fit snugly into its grasp. I know you'll enjoy the task...

Have a enthusiastic and positive Monday, see you after 5

As I write, I'm in a caravan, on holiday with no prospect of outdoor play so it'll be off to Herbie Rides Again this afternoon. That's what this kind of weather makes me think of, as the rain pounds off my kitchen roof and the rivers of water run through the garden and down the road. Can't say we didn't need it in these parts however, so maybe I'll just go running round the estate, waving my arms and singing hallelujah.

Then I might go and learn how to make a spreadsheet work as quite a few of you seem to find them slightly more engaging than I do. And in case it wasn't obvious, Nigel's roast beef was extraordinary last night. Mrs M had still cooked a full meal for my return, so much vigorous exercise needed this weekend to keep everything under control.

Busy old day here with a screening of "The Rum Diary" starring Johnny Depp and directed by Bruce Robinson. Bruce is best known still as the director of "Withnail and I" in 1986 but was hand-picked by Depp to make a comeback with this story written by the late Hunter S Thompson. Bruce will be on the show around 2.15. After much assorted nonsense and the odd review, the reliable Central Line will bring me to Radio 2 and the unalloyed joys of the all request Friday. Last week we started with Patrick Hernandez and it was a joy. Always liked a small amount of hi-energy and suddenly it was 1979 again. In the caravan, in the rain. This does not mean we'll do it again (though Man2Man meets Man Parrish might get a few requests) and probably means we need to ROCK. But that's just how it feels at 6.35am. 5pm feels a long way away.

Anyway, have a wild and liberating Friday, see you after 2&5 on 5&2.

Another coffee house blog, surrounded by nannys, so called 'yummy mummys' and harassed business types with laptops and spreadsheets. I have never looked at or constructed (if that is indeed what you do) a spreadsheet and have no intention of starting now but they do seem to dominate lots of people's lives. And make them cross. I have things that do that already (don't say children, that's not fair) so I'll happily I avoid, thanks all the same.

Enjoyed talking to REM yesterday, Michael and Mike were on good form. They really have had quite an impact over their 31 years and you could tell from the emails and texts what they have meant to people. I thought it was quite emotional actually and to split up while still (apparently) liking each other is quite an achievement. Knowing when to leave the party is tricky and they seem to have judged it perfectly, bowing put just before the unwise last drink and the lights going on. We posed, us 3, for a photo with me suggesting I was the new 3rd member of REM, to which Michael Stipe said 'No, you're the only member of REM'.

So thanks guys and I'll play Find The River anyway, even if it isn't on your new compilation.

So today we get fed with Nigel's 'best of' series moving onto the perfect roast. And trimmings. Have a snack before the journey home, you might get hungry.

And on the subject of food, let's do JAMIE OLIVER oldies today please. His new book will be a Christmas best seller, his 21st TV series is up and running and today's Times asks is he the best chef on Britain? However you answer that, pukka songs please for tonight's show please.

Have a rocking and and creative Thursday, see you after 5

Well good morning to you. Welcome to another day of blogging, tune selection, not eating biscuits and smiling happily at all, even if they might have taken your pumpkin (it's allright, I'm over it now, but are all bloggers? Sounds like a crimewave to me). Really enjoyed yesterday, particularly the curator of HMS Victory. Memories of my poor Airfix model-making skills came flooding back as I remembered never having the patience to paint the individual pieces but glueing the whole thing together and then trying to paint it. The result was of course a bit of a mess and if you had rigging and flags to constuct (erect? put up? What do you do with rigging?) you were lucky if it resembled a ship at all. It would then be put on a shelf until you knocked it off with your equally badly constructed Spitfire. Good days indeed.

Today we welcome REM on board just before they say goodbye. Their new Best of is called 'Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage' which isn't the most succinct title of all time but is a double CD and its got everything on it you might want, apart from their finest moment "Find The River' which for some inexplicable reason doesn't make it. We shall start the questioning there.

Songs today on the subject of BREAKING UP. This is partly REM related but also the shocking news that famous-for-no-reason reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her new husband have split up after a whopping 72 days. Count them! 'Irreconcilable differences" apparently. The couple earned a quarter of a million dollars in wedding-related revenue for every day they managed to tolerate each other. So SPLITTING UP it is and there is SO much to pick from.

Have a loyal and faithful Wednesday (looking foward to the mosh already!), see you after 5.

School run completed, coffee in place, blog in process. Here's to a good Tuesday.

Halloween was a hit here with the exception of the thief/thieves who nicked our lit pumpkin. A thing of beauty it was too. It's hard not to feel mad when someone does something so petty and spiteful - so that's exactly what I'm feeling. An appropriate punishment would be to sweep our street of fireworks, crisp packets and dog business for a week. In pink overalls. And a fluffy tail. But I shall have moved on by the time you read this and will have become a model of forgiveness. I'm re-thinking my firework plans however.

Today we welcome Alexei Sayle who is part of St Mungo's Wooley Hat Day on Friday. Alexei and many other celeb types are auctioning assorted head gear in aid of the homeless. Hats belonging to Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello and Helena Bonham-Carter are up for grabs too (I don't have any as I look a fool, wrong shaped head you know). He's been more involved with writing in recent years with novels and short stories but he's always entertaining and Alexei will explain more after 6.

I think for the oldies we should do the story Rebecca mentioned yesterday; the 7 BILLIONTH PERSON on earth. No one knows which baby it was: Emily? Danica? Cin? Vinita? Cecilia? They'll all be writing books soon enough but THIS CROWDED EARTH is essentially where we are for this one. Your creativity will win the day.

Have a tip top and smashing Tuesday, see you after 5.