Playlist 12.09.08

In 1966, The Shangri-Las missed the Top 40 with an astonishing record called 'Past Present And Future'. It features the voice of a broken soul reviewing the harm of a past affair, which leaves her unable to function romantically. She looks to the future but it doesn't seem too cheery either. Like all the great Shangri-Las records ('The Leader Of The Pack', 'Maybe', 'Give Him A Great Big Kiss') it has lashings of drama and it feels like the singer is a bona fide bad girl. Small wonder that Amy Winehouse is a fan.

Oh and another thing. The tune of the record is actually 'Moonlight Sonata' by Beethoven, which adds bonus heartbreak value. Such are the things that turn good records into peerless ones, and I think that Glasvegas understand this already.

Glasvegas, of course, are the designated indie champions of the moment. 'Daddy's Gone' was the glowering jewel in last year's critics polls and the self-titled album is finally matching some of the expectation. The drums thump in that colossal way that gave those old Ronnettes records so much authority. They see danger, romance and melodrama in the dark side of town. And while 'Stabbed' should be an absurd account of panic in the streets of Glasgow, I like it. And I bet Morrissey does also. The fact that Glasvegas also borrow from 'Moonlight Sonata' makes pure sense to me.

Playlist 12.09.08



BBC Radio Ulster, 92-95 FM

Online: www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Fridays, ten - midnight

The Four Tops - I'm Grateful (Motown)

Glasvegas - Flowers And Football Tops (Sony/BMG)

Boozoo Chavis - Gilton (Elektra)

Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why (Bella Union)

ZZ Top - TV Dinners (Warner)

Amy LaVere - People Get Mad (Archer)

Seasick Steve - St Louis Slim (Warner)

Mercury Rev - Senses On Fire (V2)

Michelle Shocked - One Piece At A Time (Red)

Neon Neon - Raquel (Lex)

The Sleeping Years - Clocks and Clones (Rocket Girl)

Golden Gate Quartet - Rock My Soul (DejaVu)

Phil Wilson - Neon Lights (Slumberland)

MIA - Paper Planes (XL)

David Holmes - Theme IMC (Mercury)

The Smiths - Shakespeare's Sister (Rough Trade)

Glasvegas - Lonesome Swan (Sony/BMG)

The Deltones - Early Morning Rock (Castle)

Port O' Brien - The Roof Top Song (City Slang)

Bob Dylan - Dreaming Of You (Columbia)

Emily Jane White - Hole In The Middle (Talitres)

Seasick Steve - Started Out With Nothin (Warner)

Black Mountain - Wucan (Jagaguar)

Henry McCullough - Fix Me Up Jesus (There Wolf)

Amy LaVere - Cupid's Arrow (Archer)

Loudon Wainwright III - Motel Blues (Yep Roc)

Glasvegas - Stabbed (Sony/BMG)

Nick Freitas - Oh My God (Affairs Of The Heart)

My Brightest Diamond - Hymne A L'Amour (Asthmatic Kitty)