RNZ: New Horizons

William Dart presents an appropriately seasonal mix of naughty and nice, with more than a few tributes to the Big Man in Red and a little blues on the side.

William Dart gathers together a bunch of songs that he had to leave out of previous programmes: songs from João Gilberto, Inara George and Jeff Goldblum, The Topp Twins, David Pine, Patti Smith, Penelope Isles, and Barbra Streisand.

William Dart features songwriters on both sides of the Atlantic, from the soul-searching of Michael Chapman and M C Taylor to cute and occasionally cutting slices of life from Amy O.

They're still here … singers Paula Cole and Patty Waters both took long career breaks but came back as strong as ever. William Dart reviews their latest albums.

William Dart takes a listen to three recent releases from our own shores: new CDs from The Floral Clocks and Kingsley Spargo, and a collection of Miley Cyrus covers curated by Bryce Galloway.

William Dart considers The Beatles – re-released with the 50th Anniversary Edition of Abbey Road; and re-imagined with Matthew Bannister's individual take on Rubber Soul.

New and atmosphere-soaked music by Patrick Watson, Angel Olsen, and the wonderful pairing of singer Gaby Moreno and arranger-producer Van Dyke Parks.

William Dart looks at local music determined to find its way into your mind - new releases from Mermaidens and Purple Pilgrims and a CD of classic Kiwi ad jingles.

William Dart goes back half-a-century to perhaps the most celebrated of all music festivals, Woodstock, and reviews a new 10-CD set of recordings called Back to the Garden.

William Dart puts Wellington singer Louis Baker in the spotlight following the release of his debut album of remarkably taut and tight soul, Open.