As I mentioned a few days ago today's show is a special with banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck. His latest CD with the Flecktones is an album of Christmas and other festive songs done in some of the most weird and wonderful ways. Oprah has chosen it as her favourite Christmas record this year and it remains top of the jazz charts since its release in September. The CD has also gained two Grammy nominations. Bela and the Flecktones have been on tour for the past month and I was very pleased to catch up with him as he braved the cold snows of Maine. We spoke via Skype and talked about his new cd, his work with the Sparrow Quartet and his forthcoming documentary movie about his musical travels in Africa. But mostly we let the music do the talking. So enjoy the show.

Songs on the show this week

1.  Big Country

2. What Child is This

3. Sleigh ride

4. A Fuller Wine - with the Sparrow Quartet

5. The Twelve Days of Christmas

6. Christmas Medley

7.Wish I Had a River

8. Linus and Lucy

9. Danse of the Sugar Plum Fairy

10. Sunset Road

Next week is the Christmas show and as I type this I am agonising on what to play on the show. I think you will all be sick and tired of Christmas songs by the time the show goes out at 6pm on Christmas day. So if you have anything you really want to hear just This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and let me know