The gifts of music and song-writing are explored in the BBC Four special “Singer-Songwriters at the BBC.”
The special, which airs on the television channel Jan. 2, 2015, kicks the new year off with a fond look back at some of the songs (and songwriters) that have changed music forever.

The special features a compilation of some of the best singer-songwriter performances from the BBC archives. Such musicians include Sandy Denny, Don McLean, Gerry Rafferty, Elton John, Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam) and more.

“Don McLean performs his huge hit American Pie from 1972 and Tim Buckley provides some sublime sounds with a rendition of his song Happy Time. Also making an appearance is the long-lamented John Martyn, folk queen Sandy Denny and, in a duet with Joe Egan as Stealers Wheel, the late Gerry Rafferty. Stealers Wheel chum and one-time collaborator Rab Noakes also makes a contribution to this compilation. Leonard Cohen and Julie Felix present a unique collaboration and performance of Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye, and there’s an unforgettable performance of Case of You by Joni Mitchell. No celebration of this genre would be complete without contributions from songwriting heavyweights such as Elton John, Paul Simon, Loudon Wainwright III and Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens.”

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