The Folk Show

John has more new music this week from the likes of Natalie Merchant, New Vagabonds, the wonderfully out there Lankum and our own Davy Knowles!

John is back after the break for the Guild with lots of new music, a chat with Catherine Roberts and Sean Lakeman ahead of their Island gig and a day of an energetic toddler!

As he prepares for a uni reunion, John heads back to the eighties with music from Vin Garbutt, Christy Moore, Billy Bragg and Jake Thackray 

Join John for a trio of fiddle tunes from Kathryn Tickell, Carsie Blanton, A'Nish and the last of Spencer the Rover

John celebrates the new month with music from Simon and Garfunkel, April Rain from the Siskin Quartet, Leveret and a session at O'Donnells.

Some Kate Rusby, Edgelarks, Matt Kelly and John talks to Juan Garrett about this year's Shennaghys jiu

John checks out the latest session at O'Donnells, features Isla Callister and friends and marks the death of the super-talented Simon Emerson

Some Water Boys, Silly Wizard, a chat with Will Pound and music from the Grosvenor Pub in Douglas back in the 70's!

Some Trials of Cato, Biskee Brisht , a new CD from Will Pound and Jen Butterworth and the Bosnian version of the Buenos Aires Social Club!

John speaks to young Manx tin whistle and accordion player Owen Williams about his new EP, plus music from Lindisfarne, The Penguin Cafe Orchestra and the Urban Folk Quartet.

It's all about the animals as John plays music inspired by everything from birds to wolves via hares and limpets from artist such as Kate Rusby, Doc Watson and Sam Kelly with the Lost Boys. It's the cat's miaow!

John warms up the animals for next weeks special, with music from June Tabor, the Brothers Gillespie, Howlin' Wolf and a locally recorded trad session!

John plays some Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys, Jim Murray, Stanley Brothers, and done his bit for the RSPB. And did he mention Will and Jen?

John's pedalling some Steelye Span, there's Richard Thompson,  a bit of Seth Lakemanm Mec Lir and some rather nice ambient folk . . .  

The songs of Robbie Burns, instrumentals from Richard Thompson, a Peewit and local talent Mark Lawrence

A river themed selection from John featuring the likes of John Martyn, Seamus Begley, Mera Royle and the Watersons

John launches into 2023 with music from the likes of Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow, Loudon Wainwright III, Pentangle and Tom Callister with Imar

A Happy New Year with some tracks for 2023, a bit of Wassail, the theme to the Detectorists, some lovely close harmony singing and the Bee Gees given a folk twist!

John looks back at some of his favourite tracks and albums from the last year - and looks ahead to 2023!

Kate Rusby, a shepherd's Carol by Annie Kissack our own Charles Guard and a boogie-woogie Santa. Oh -and the Pogues . . . 

John is joined in the studio by fellow folk and blues supremo Dave McLean, who chooses music including the one and only Mollag Band!

Brooks Williams has some snake oil, the wonderful Pentangle, The Teeside Fettlers with a Chemical lament, Barrule and some wonderful birdsong!

Lucy Ward, Sam Sweeney, Barry Dransfield, False Lights and more!

Bellowhead, Martin Carthy, Clash Vooar and Pauline Scanlon amongst others. Oh - and did John mention Bellowhead?!

John Barker brings you his weekly section of folk and roots music.

Folk favourites this evening include Mera Royle, Andy Irvine and Paul Brady a haunting number from Lucy Ward and we hear about Euan!

Lucy Farrell, June Tabor and the Dubliners feature this week among a host of others . . . with John's latest collection of folk favourites - and some you may not know!

John is joined in the studio this week by Elizabeth Davidson-Blyth and Daniel Quayle. Get in touch with him folkshow@manxradio.com

A fest train whistles down, Martin Simpson and Isla Callister all feature on John's selection - get in touch with him folkshow@manxradio.com

A Folk Show special as new host John (Barker) talks to old host John (Kaneen) about his life and music

A bit of classic folk rock, Brooks Williams, Mec Lir and much more . . 

The first in a new era of the Folk Show with new presenter John Barker, after John Kaneen decided to retire earlier this year, having presented the show for an incredible 40 plus years!

JB celebrates Word Whisky Day with songs inspired by a drop of the craythur . . from the likes of Bellowhead, Ruth Keggin and Rachel Hair and Mississippi Fred McDowell 

JB is still in Spring mode with great sounds from Emily Portman, Harry McClintock, Gnoss and Sam Carter

JB celebrates the advent of May (or the death of April!) with music from Lisa Knapp, Dan Walsh, Seb Stone and Granny's attic! 

JB plays music from the likes of Eliza Carthy, Martin Simpson, Maddie Morris and Barrule - and many others plus his usual round-up of live local gigs

JB gets spacey . . . and plays music from Billy Bragg, Urban Folk Quartet, Imagined Village and From the Ground

It's all about the stars this week as to celebrate the new album from Clash Vooar, JB plays astral themed tunes from the likes of Dan Walsh, Honey and the Bear, Stockton's Wing and a live session at O'Donnells . 

JB celebrates his birthday with some of his faves from the likes of Lau, Urban Folk Quartet, the Dubliners, Clash Vooar and a Rochdale coconut dance. Normal service is resumed next week!

JB leaps into spring with music from the likes of Adam Holmes, Michael Walsh, Doc Watson and the Island's own guitar guru - Davy Knowles

Some hypnotic sounds from Daisy Rickman, a session from O'Donnells, Serious Sam Barrett and a new one from Clash Vooar - JB has them all!

JB with a tasty smorgasbord of sounds from the likes of Jim Murray, Richard Thompson, Honey and the Bear and Tarmac plus a celebration of St Patrick's Day!

Great sounds from JB's deck from the likes of Ryan Young, Chris Wood, Kathryn Tickell and Bellowhead

JB brings you his weekly mix of folk and roots music from the Isle of Man and around the world.

JB with his usual wonderfully eclectic mix of folk sounds old and new from around the globe from the likes of Marry Waterson, Project Smock, John Francis Flynn and Richard Thompson

JB with music from the likes of Holly and the Reivers, Nick Hart and Tom Moore and Roy Bailey.

JB jigs into the new year with sounds from the likes of Imar, Kathryn Tickell and Davy Knowles!

JB with the first part of his review of the best music from 2023 featuring the likes of Will Pound and Jen Butterworth, Lankum and Thomas Callister with Dave Kilgallon 

JB gets festive with some Christmassy sounds from a Winter Union, Bob Dylan Jeff Jepson and of course The Pogues!

A man with one kidney. Great Lakes. The Imagined Village and "Fairytale of New York" for those who didn't like the original! JB has them all!

JB pays tribute to Shane MacGowan whose death was announced recently, with music from the Pogues alongside great tracks from John Francis Flynn, Phillip Henry and Meera Royle

The Urban Folk Quartet, Liar, Liar, our own Phil Gawne and Bob Carswell and how to get yourself recorded on a narrowboat.

JB looks forward to artists playing on the Island in 2024 and plays music from the like Dan Walsh, Cerys Hafana, Blair Dunlop and Ashley Hutchings 

JB with new music from the likes of Ben Nicolls, Urban Folk Quartet, You are Wolf, Ryan Young plus some Muddy Waters!

JB heads back to the 60s and 70s with music from Fairport Convention, Joni Mitchell with Neil Young, Mike Laurie and Al, Nick Jones and Charles Guard!

It's a Hop tu Naa special with Moots, Kate Rusby, False Lights, singing in Manx and turnip based verse from Annie Kissack!

JB thinks about the rain as he spins his usual wonderfully eclectic mix from the likes of Sister Rosetta Sharpe, Lucy Ward, Jeff Jepson and Balthazar's Feast . . 

This week, John brings you another superb selection including music from Bellowhead, Bella Gaffney, The Olllam and also a cracking track from John Kirkpatrick and Chris Parkinson.

JB has some perfection from the Waterboys, Martin Hayes and chat and music with the wonderful Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow following their recent packed gig on the Island.

JB's feeling quite Scottish .. . and features a Caley, music from Runrig, John Douglas, Thomas Callister and Dave Kilgallon and Frankie Archer amongst others . . 

JB celebrates his first anniversary on the Folk Show looking back at music he's enjoyed from the likes of Pauline Scanlon, Salt House, Kanda Bongo Man, Marlais and Scran . . 

Great sounds as ever from JB with the likes of Paul Cringle, Karhryn Tickell . . The Hunch and it's all about the "l"s . .. with Olllam  .

JB plays some great sounds from the likes of Faustus, Dransfields, Steve Turner and the wonderfully weird world of Ivor Cutler . . .

JB's pedalled back from the Shrewsbury Folk Festival to bring us joys from the likes of Eddi Reeder, Dream Circus, Charlotte Gregg and Scran

As JB pedals his way back (or is he in a van?) from the Shrewsbury Folk Festival  .  . he offers us a special featuring artists appearing at this year's event including Elephant Sessions, Gigspanner and the evergreen Billy Bragg . . . .

As JB prepares to head off to Shrewsbury Folk Fest (listen out for his festival artist special next week) he has music from The Band, Megson and Kathryn Priddy

It's all about the women of folk as JB has a special highlighting some of the best in the business, such as Kathryn Tickell, Isla Callister, Shirley Collins and Joni Mitchell

Join JB for a guitar player special with some of the best in the business .  .

JB has a recording of a live sesh at O'Donnells, some sublime Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan, local axe man Paul Cringle and Neil Young among other folky gems!

JB plays music from Fairport Convention, Jeff Jepson, Bella Gaffney and Jez Lowe amongst others - and has a rummage in the rogues gallery!

This week, John looks ahead to Yn Chruinnaght which starts on Monday (24 July).

John Barker brings you another hour of the very best folk and roots music.

JB celebrates the Island's National Day (and week) with music from the Island's best including Barrule, Clash Vooar, Davy Knowles, Adam Rhodes and Thomas Callister

Rant, Dervish, Isla and the Chieftains - all make it into JB's Folk jukebox this week. Smokin'! (Don't - it's not good for your health . .)

John celebrates the summer solstice with music from the likes of John Martyn, Eddie Cochrane and the island's own Thomas Callister and Dave Kilgallon . . it's the longest day!

The Deadly Diddly Band, the wonderful Lankum, evergreen Christine Callister and Woody Guthrie all feature on JB's Folk jukebox this week!

JB heads off to the Big Apple, enjoys some Bellowhead, unearths a little Leveret and recaptures the banjo . .  .

JB plays a Danish host, some Moriarty, local artists Tom Callister and Dave Kilgallon and some sixties Dylan!

John showcases music from some world class musicians who are appearing on the Isle of Man in the near future, including Dan Walsh, Rant, Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow and Trip.