Playlist 13.03.09

I first saw Beth Orton upstairs in a Soho bar around 1994. The Wednesday nights at the Crown And Two Chairmen on Dean Street were generally good value and provided a less hectic alternative to Sundays at the Heavenly Social. For those of you who follow the label, you'll know that Heavenly was releasing stuff from St Etienne, Manic Street Preachers, Flowered Up and Monkey Mafia. There was no musical style, but a unifying theme of connection and enthusiasm. Everybody who worked there was mad for the music and it was Tash Cluney who organised the acoustic nights.

Beth, we learnt, had some previous form with William Orbit. She was also experimenting with Andrew Weatherall, so we expected important stuff, and it was slightly anti-climactic to hear her gentle tones in the hubub of the bar. Happily the album 'Trailer Park' came out in 1996 and everything made sense; the folksy parts, the wash of techno sounds, the surprises and the heartbreak.

Soon she became crowned as the Comedown Queen, essential listening after dance-related adventures. There were award nominations and work with The Chemical Brothers and later, Ryan Adams. New work is expected presently, but for now the Legacy Edition of 'Trailer Park' has bonus features such as the Terry Callier duets and that winsome version of 'Dolphins'.

Playlist 13.03.09

BBC Radio Ulster, 92-95 FM

Online: www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Fontella Bass- Surrender (Chess)

Morrissey - All You Need Is Me (Polydor)

Imelda May - It's Your Voodoo Working (Universal)

Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling On A Line (Nettwerk)

REM - Real Wild Heaven (Warner)

John Shelley And The Creatures - Long May You Reign (white)

Yppa - Gumball Machine (Ninja Tune)

Neil Young - Johnny Magic (Warner)

Waylon Jennings - Are You Ready For The Country (Vagrant)

Andrew Bird - Oh No (Bella Union )

Spokes - We Like To Dance (Counter)

Beth Orton - She Cries Your Name (Heavenly)

Bonnie Prince Billy - Your Only Friend (Domino)

Bob Dylan - Desolation Row (CBS)

The Divine Comedy - Tonight We Fly (Setanta)

Pete Greenwood - Penny Dreadful (Heavenly)

Morrissey - When I Last Spoke To Carol (Polydor)

Cashier No. 9 - When Jackie Shone (Only Gone)

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee - Whoopin and Squallin (Ace)

AneBrun - Treehouse Song (Determine)

M Ward - For Beginners (4AD)

Kate Bush - Women Of Ireland (EMI)

Queen Latifah - Hard Times (London)

The Handsome Family - Wild Wood (Loose)

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (Bella Union)

Beth Orton - I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine (Heavenly)

Marcus Miller -Burning Down The House (Drefus)