RNZ: New Horizons

William Dart takes a listen to two new albums which "re-imagine" the songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, featuring artists as diverse as Lady Gaga, Mary J Blige, and Willie Nelson.

William Dart takes a brief look at three performers, linked by the use of satirical humour in their music: the incomparable Noël Coward, the impeccable Richard Rodney Bennett, and our own indefatigable, inestimable Robbie Ellis.

William Dart reviews Inara George's new album Dearest Everybody, which acts as a tribute to her father Lowell George of the band Little Feat, who died in 1979 when she was only four.

William Dart explores a number of story-telling songs from Joni Mitchell, Chris Thile, and Jim White.

William Dart reflects on Auckland Arts Festival's recent tribute concert to singer-songwriter Mahinaarangi Tocker, who died 10 years ago this month.

William Dart takes a stroll on the sunny side, featuring new releases with some happiness-inducing music from NRBQ, Eels, Stephen Malkmus, and Jack White.

William Dart surveys the career of Joan Baez, now of almost 60 years, and features her new album Whistle Down the Wind.

William Dart takes a brief look at Kiwi political songs, including some songs from the archives by Mervyn Thompson, and a tribute CD to union man and songwriter Peter Conway called 'For Pete's Sake'. (Repeat)

William Dart spends the first half of the programme on a digression about Burt Bacharach's "Walk On By", before getting around to looking at the musician called Kramer and his new album of Brill Building covers.

Prompted by a new album by Idaho singer Eilen Jewell, William Dart listens to a number of white women (and a couple of white men) singing the blues.