A new documentary, The Album As Art, should be worth a listen. A part of BBC Radio 2's Album Season, it explains how the long playing album became a work of art in its own right, with the music, cover art, lyrics, liner notes and packaging all combining to make an evocative impact on several generations of rock fans.

The year 1968 was the first year that albums outsold singles and, in many cases, the artwork associated with an album became as iconic as the music contained inside the gatefold sleeve. Now, 40 years on, the music and the visual image associated with an album is approached in a different way, for a digital age.

Contributors to this documentary feature a variety of musicians, artists, producers, photographers, designers and managers involved with the recording of some of the most popular and revolutionary albums of the last four decades. They include Pete Townshend, David Gilmour, Noel Gallagher, Brian Eno, David Bowie, Iggy Pop and many others.

This hour-long show airs on Tuesday, December 16th, at 10:30pm. BBC Radio 2 can be heard on DAB and FM radio, via Freeview, Sky satellite and Virgin Media cable, and via www.BBC.co.uk/radio2, which will allow listeners around the world to tune in. The BBC's iPlayer service (at their website, and on Virgin Media) will allow listening on demand for seven days from the date of broadcast, although this is just for those in the UK.