I missed the recent death of Gerry Gable, founder of Searchlight and legendary London anti-fascist. Here's an excellent obituary. leadenskies.substack.com/p/gerry-gabl...

See us play 15th of January + Terry Edwards on trumpet Micro sets: Terry, Gina Birch, Lester Square, Robert Rotifer, Ruth Tidmarsh, Karina Townsend & Jack Hayter, then in different combos for songs from 'Showtunes from the Shadows' ! Tickets: wegottickets.com/f/14034 www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnEU...

So much truth. And controversial view: for me one of the key differences between radio programmes and podcasts is that radio programmes rarely make me shout GET THE FUCK ON WITH IT I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER IN THE PUB I WASN’T THERE

Flippin Nora

Happy "Eating a tiny mince pie with a serving spoon" Day to all who celebrate.

We put onto people our own ideas about what they must be like when we admire their work or their look and believe that because *we* are a certain way, they must be too. Every now and again our perception of what someone must be like is so wide of the mark it's a total shock when we find out...-

Strong start on Junior Choice #Tomsk #Tobermory

Xmas eve reminder! Tickets are still available for our fabulous Xmas Sunday matinee show with @peteastor.bsky.social @emmatricca.bsky.social @darrenhayman.bsky.social and Lou Terry ... wegottickets.com/event/683400

New commission followed by The Lamb. Lovely. #9lc

Speaking of films, the campaign starts now to persuade Channel 5 to use the black and white version of "Scrooge" next year.(Though the director's accidental appearance in the "mirror scene" is just as good in the colorizzzed version.)

I'm on BBC2 til 6pm.

All songs should have last-verse descant added at Christmas. "TV Eye", "Totally Wired", "I Live in a Car"..all of them.

All I want for Christmas is a link to the 1976 All Star Record Breakers version of A Christmas Carol. Txed on Christmas Eve. Probably lost forever.

Solstice Greetings. Play the Tull! Play it reasonably loud without causing annoyance.

2026 Tour Update: tickets have gone on sale today for Stroud & Worthing. All shows now on sale, except for Warwick. Might tickets to one of these shows make a suitable Christmas present for someone? It’s not really for me to say, but yes, they would. The full list is here: brianbilston.com/events/

Against doctors orders I attempted Hark!The Herald Angels Sing yesterday evening. In the higher register. Exhausted by the time I was attempting Hail the Prince of Peace. Unrelenting number with no opportunity for drawing breath.

Of course, they were never the same after Walter Gabriel left.

Devastated to hear of the passing of Sir Humphrey Burton at 94. What a career, and so well loved by his peers. Someone who for me was the beating heart of public service and changed television for the better. Here's my tribute to him on his 90th. cstonline.net/the-five-deg...

Late to Tomorrow's World 1975 Xmas special on BBC4. Baxter. Rodd. Woolard. Baffled children. Marvellous.

Joe Ely RIP youtu.be/iiBPXlQ5cF8?... @garycrowleyonair.bsky.social @punkandnewwave.bsky.social @theclash.com

Make plans now for Afterchristmas to avoid January misery! A night of the stars, shining and twinkling! wegottickets.com/f/14034 @gidcoe.bsky.social @marcrileydj.bsky.social

🧵

There's still time to purchase a copy of our "LIVE AT THE BBC" album featuring sessions for John Peel and @marcrileydj.bsky.social from @precrecs.bsky.social for a loved one/sworn enemy in time for Christmas. A thing of beauty is a joy forever! theloves.bandcamp.com/album/prelp-...

To hell with modesty.

Stanley Baxters death is hard for those seeking to explain his magnitude. Theres no one with who to compare him for younger people. No M&W, Ronnie Barker, Dick Emery, Benny Hill - no equivalent entertainer. We have presenters & stand ups now but nothing on TV like Stanley Baxter. That's all gone.

We grew up watching this fella. His Stanley Baxter Picture Show was an essential watch in our house. We absolutely adored him. Safe travels Stanley and thank you for the magic 🙏 All together now.... "IsthatamarreronyerbarrerClarra?"

Doctor has told me I need to do less talking. Everyone's a critic.

I really hope this place survives. Proper bar. Unlikely that I'll see it any time soon but, all the same..

"Knock Knock" "Who's There?" "Interrupting Melvyn." "Interrupting Melvyn wh_" "Can I just pull you up on that answer.. what evidence do you have about actually happened?..Did you hear a knock at an actual door "

Today's "In Our Time" repeat (Emily Dickinson) is an "Interrupting Melvyn" special. Perhaps the finest example of the genre. Blimey.

It should all be in your favourite listing magazine. Or one on an even keel 22nd - 2025 Obit part 1 23rd - Pt 2 24th - The All Christmas Pre Christmas Christmas Programme 25th - Christmas Night With The Stars. (Songs regarding the night sky etc) Following week: Best of 2025 sessions and records +NYE

I think Fred and Ginger might get together after all. Change Partners is a great tune.

Songs that mention Christmas aren't necessarily Christmas Songs. Even if it's in the title. I'd back this up with examples but I've got to tidy the shed.

Channel flicking last night and there's Sammy Davis Jr. At The BBC. A true star. A brilliant mind. Magnificent.

"Well as I look at my watch now it is... a quarter after five. In Las Vegas it is... still swingin'." Happy birthday, Sammy Davis Jr. I give you one of the most thrilling introductions ever to a live album. I bet the MC5 wouldn't be this energetic at 5.15am. youtu.be/QFw0ye4jJEE?...

The wonderful Mik Artistik at The Wee Red Bar in Edinburgh on a very rainy Friday night - funny and beautiful. Thanks to @marcrileydj.bsky.social and @gidcoe.bsky.social for bringing him (along with many others) to my attention. We salute you all

@gidcoe.bsky.social NewJake Thackray 2-CD set of BBC rarities and previously unreleased songs. Available for pre-order exclusively from Jake Thackray website.

TOMORROW: Live Session on Riley & Coe! Wednesday 3rd December: BBC Radio 6 Music Time: 9-11pm GMT Listen online: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... The show will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast. #TheDivineComedy #6Music @marcrileydj.bsky.social @gidcoe.bsky.social

For the quiet ones #mentalhealth #anxiety #ADHD #autism #neurodiversity uk.bookshop.org/p/books/norm...

Loved Tavares. "Don't Take Away The Music" on TOTP. American promo with that different sheen to the film which made it even more exciting.

R.I.P. Antone 'Chubby' Tavares. When I bought this with my 11th birthday Record Token I believed it to be the greatest record ever made. Still in my top 10, played it at my 60th. Saw them live in the 1990s, it was ace. The cowbell pattern alone is worth a million dollars. youtu.be/J123lM0RvzM?...

As @jahduran.bsky.social's intro explains, these charts have always come in times of crisis for the media, from ad collapse a few years ago to AI today. We've managed to survive them all only thanks to our subscribers, and you can join their illustrious number here: thequietus.com/subscribers/

A great broadcaster.

Claudia Cardinale feeding stray cats with spaghetti at the Pantheon, Rome 1962.

Wasn't all that long I asked if people would consider buying something off my Bandcamp thing, and a fair number of you did. andylewisuk.bandcamp.com But if anyone has some audio work, podcast editing, mixing, remixing or production (including Dolby Atmos) that needs doing, please get in touch-

This is very good. I rattled through it. At times it made me sad and wistful and I'm all for that. Recommended.

Anyway.. I thoughts we could be bring back an old favourite for the Christmas Day R and C programme. So, it'll be "Christmas Night With the Stars". That is to say, records in some way referencing stars and other heavenly bodies. They don't have to relate to Xmas. Suggestions here please

Much better

Work: Going to press earlier than usual with this year's All-Christmas Pre-Christmas Christmas Programme. If you'd like a mention alongside Sun Ra, Tracey Thorn, HMHB, Frank Sidebottom etc then please reply below.