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Welcome to the bar. What else is happening here besides whisky …?
Jazz scat to beatboxing, Appalachian eefing to Scottish Puirt à beul, Indian bol and Blackfoot songs to Tuvan throat-singing, this week we go beyond language to explore the intricacy of the voice as a non-lexical instrument
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The Cipriani Potter Stradivarius. Other models are available (if you've got a few quid)
Classical, folk, pop, rock, traditional or contemporary, Irish to Romanian, Hungarian to American to the far east, suggest music about or featuring this beautiful stringed instrument in a prominent role
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Prince. His guitar was a symbol of so many things …
Thrum! This week let's pluck out out songs that mention guitars in lyrics or title, whether electric, acoustic or bass, and what role or meaning they have – companion, inspiration, religion, weapon, language or more
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Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach
Golden Age rogues from Blackbeard to Anne Bonny, Calico Jack to Treasure Island, from the Caribbean to modern marauders of Somalia, in folk to rock, metal to reggae, set sail with your song suggestions
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The Puppini Sisters
Barbershop to Bulgarian, folk to rock, church, gospel to swing, from the sacred to the profane, it's time to suggest songs where two or many more voices sing closely formed, but independent melodies
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Serafina Steer ... disco diva
Call the cops! Are music artists not doing what they are supposed to do? This week's guest writer Detective Sergeant Uncleben investigates, and finds that those who break the rules make brilliant playlists
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Jump, they say. But where next? David Bowie
Rock band does reggae? Punk band goes country? Rapper does jazz? This week we explore genre-switching or surprise moments in artists’ careers that confounded fans’ expectations
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Vladimir, in a gesture of true hospitality, is taking his friend Donald for a ride
Language need be no barrier. Let’s reveal, explore, inaugurate, even celebrate, from classical, film to pop, from inside and out, the rich musical heritage inspired by this vast, contradictory country
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Crossing into surprising territory ...
Unrecognisable after the first few seconds? It begins with odd sounds or another style? This week let's play with songs that initially keep you guessing, and don’t start as a they mean to go on
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Breakups? Never again? Don't bet on it, Adele. Photograph: Tammy Breece
Is the heartbreak over? Perhaps, but this week it's time to name songs with a positive element, showing that, whether in lyrics or style, the sadness is shifting to gladness
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