The Andy Kershaw Podcast

Come with us from the Dark End of the Street to the Bright Side of the Road, by way of Kenya and Kentucky, the Congo and the Caribbean. This show features some of the crown jewels of the Kershaw vinyl collection that’s just out of storage and now stashed on brand-new shelves (thank you crowd-funders). And there are obituary tributes to Tshala Muana and Gordon Lightfoot. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

One of the most exciting projects of the past year has been a song-celebration of notable North-east women. I’m thrilled to give you a kitchen session featuring Annie Ball with Katie Tertell, Bronwen Davies-Jones and Bronwen’s dad Gareth. With admirable economy ‘Howay The Lasses’ is the name of the group, the album and one of their songs. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Featuring a session I recorded in New Orleans in April 1988 with the truck-driving North Carolina country bluesman Moses Roscoe. There are tributes to Jeff Beck and Dave Crosby. And thanks to you I’ve got new shelves for all my vinyl, so I’m digging into it again.

In memoriam tributes to Wilko Johnson and Rab Noakes, plus a treat from the Kershaw Archive – the sessions I recorded with Ted Hawkins after I turned up unannounced on his doorstep in Inglewood, California in April 1986. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Tributes to Jerry Lee Lewis and Loretta Lynn, a vintage kitchen session with swamp blues supremo Lazy Lester, songs from Iran to Zimbabwe and from Lincolnshire to Colombia, plus some great truck-driving tunes. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

We’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive kitchen session with Loudon Wainwright III. Currently touring the UK and Ireland, Loudon made a detour to Todmorden to give us half a dozen songs, including a couple that you won’t find on record. There are lots more treats, including a bluegrass version of a U2 anthem and a rare live recording of a classic banger by King Curtis. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor. .

Have you ever wondered what a late-great Cuban singer would sound like backed by a late-great Senegalese kora player? You are about to find out. Here’s a classic Kershaw home recording from 1996, featuring the Queen of Campesina, Celina González, and Dakar legend Soriba Kouyaté, together for the first and only time in my garden. Plus everything else you’ve come to expect and a few things you weren’t expecting at all. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Here’s a brand new session, just recorded in my kitchen - old time Appalachian music from fiddler and singer-songwriter Hannah Read with banjo player Michael Starkey. Plus everything else you’ve come to expect and a few things you weren’t expecting at all. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Here’s another of my archive kitchen sessions, this one from Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians, recorded in 1991. The rest is just the usual wall-to-wall brilliance. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Three Cajun legends turn my kitchen into a Louisiana hayride. A vintage session from guitarist D.L.Menard with accordionist Eddie Lejeune and fiddler Ken Smith, recorded during their first UK tour in April 1990. Plus the usual A to Z of delights, from Dr Alimantado to Warren Zevon. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Here’s a kitchen session from the archives – Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore singing and playing for my friends during their first UK tour in 1988. This podcast also brings you another undiscovered gospel great, and remembers the Congolese guitarist Bongo Wende. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

We're back with a kitchen session from Borderland Bluegrass, new songs from Half Man Half Biscuit, and a stunning gospel track we're betting you've never heard before. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Featuring a vintage 1987 kitchen session with Mali’s mighty Ali Farka Touré (1939 – 2006) plus the usual sackful of surprises. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

My favourite record of 2021 is 'Clifftown' by M.G.Boulter. I'm delighted to welcome Matt for a scintillating kitchen session featuring songs from the album. Plus the usual mix of music you may not know but are sure to love. Visit https://andykershaw.co.uk for play-lists and to get in touch, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Rob Gray, alias Little Big Band - Manchester's favourite busker and cigar-box guitar maker - sings to his own guitar, harmonica, drum and cymbal accompaniment in a rollicking kitchen session. The rest of the show swoops from Mexico to Iraq via Bakersfield, New Orleans and Zimbabwe. Visit Andy's website - https://andykershaw.co.uk - for play-lists and to contact Andy, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Andy's kitchen welcomes the king of the Yamaha keyboard, John Shuttleworth, who doesn't like any of the other music in the show (but you will love it). Visit Andy's website - https://andykershaw.co.uk - for play-lists and to contact Andy, make a donation or become a sponsor.

Featuring Andy’s tributes to Nanci Griffith, Lee Perry and Charlie Watts, plus a kitchen session with buskers extraordinaire, western swing honky-tonkers Bapchild. We’re back with a band! Visit Andy's website - https://andykershaw.co.uk - for play-lists and to contact Andy, make a donation or become a sponsor.

We are thrilled to feature an exclusive kitchen session with satirical folk-punk band Half Man Half Biscuit, including new songs and a chat with front-man Nigel Blackwell. Visit Andy's website - https://andykershaw.co.uk - for play-lists and to contact Andy, make a donation or become a sponsor.

This week the Oldham Tinkers release their first new record in 46 years and celebrate the occasion with an exclusive kitchen session, featuring songs that range from ferrets to the Spanish Civil War. And the rest of the show? A chance to wrap your ears round some of the most brilliant music you may never have heard before.

Another grab-bag of stunning songs and magnificent music, this one featuring a specially-recorded kitchen session from the man who has been called the best fingerstyle guitarist in the world - Martin Simpson. His repertoire of English and American folk songs, blues and original compositions has been delighting listeners since his first album came out 45 years ago. Visit Andy's website - www.andykershaw.co.uk to subscribe, contact Andy or make a donation.