RNZ: New Horizons

British folksters The Unthanks have released an EP of songs setting texts by poets from the time of World War 1. William Dart listens to these and other songs inspired by The Great War.

William Dart reflects on some of the treasures left behind by Tom Petty, who died too early in October 2017.

William Dart investigates the unexpected coming together of two musical forces: alternative rockers Mercury Rev and the reclusive Mississippi-born songwriter Bobbie Gentry.

William Dart enters the magical, mystical world of American folk musician Josephine Foster and is captivated by her most recent release, Faithful Fairy Harmony.

William Dart looks at the splendid new album celebrating the Christchurch songwriter, Al Park, featuring cover versions by Jordan Luck, Marlon Williams, Delaney Davidson, Anthea Struthers and others.

William Dart listens to the last two songs in Lawrence Arabia's year-long Singles Club project. And because one of these has an arrangement by Van Dyke Parks, William is only too happy to wallow in some VDP gloriousness.

Marlene Dietrich was the ultimate world-weary songstress. William Dart listens to new albums by John Grant and James Blake, both peddling songs of disillusionment, and, like Dietrich, doing it with beguiling charm.

In the first new programme of New Horizons for the new year, a newly refreshed William Dart features American singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and her new album She Remembers Everything.

William Dart is in for his New Horizons Christmas Special … he's got treats from Sufjan Stevens, John Legend, Big Maybelle, William Shatner, and Aretha Franklin of course.

Inevitably, William Dart reaches the end of the year and there are a number of tracks that he couldn't include in previous programmes. Now's the time to make amends and he features songs by Bobby Vee, fleaBITE, Wendyhouse, and Alastair Galbraith & Jackson Harry.