Playlist 17.01.11

I'm reading the Keith Richards biography, 'Life' at a leisurely pace, and enjoying it plenty. His childhood stories are perhaps a little drawn out, but once the story moves to the squalour at Edith Grove with Mick and Brian, it peps up. In his own way, Keef is a little chivalrous, dealing with his old pals in a tolerant fashion, apart from Brian Jones, who is scorned as a user and a bully.

In Marianne Faithfull's biography, Keef is presented as an Aquarian quester, testing the limits of the era, bound for transcendence. Oh, and a music fan. His own account lives up to that, with eulogies to Chicago blues, Memphis soul, the harp playing of Little Walter and the hi-hat technique of Charlie Watts.

He is oddly withdrawn about Mick but passionate about Gram Parsons. And when Ry Cooder helps him to unlock the secret of playing in open G tuning, it's pure awe. Immediately you want to hear 'Let It Bleed' and 'Beggar's Banquet' and the power of those records is freshly revealed.

BBC Radio Ulster, 92-95 FM

Online: www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Mondays, ten - midnight



Playlist 17.01.11

The Impressions - We're In Love (MCA)

Greg Allman - Floating Bridge (Rounder)

PJ Harvey - The Words That Maketh Murder (Island)

The Decemberists - Don't Carry It All (Rough Trade)

Joan As Policewoman - The Action Man (PIAS)

The Rolling Stones - You've Got The Silver (Decca)

Iron And Wine - Tree By The River (4ad)

The Secret Sisters - Tennessee Me (Decca)

The Dirt - I Would Like To Lay On Your Bed (Big Rock Candy)

Cowboy Junkies - Strange Language (Proper)

Malcolm McLaren - Paris Deux (Virgin)

Vagabonds - John Mellor (First Born Is Dead)

Greg Allman - I Can't Be Satisfied (Rounder)

The Decemberists - Calamity (Rough Trade)

The White Stripes - Rated X (Sony)

NI Soul Troop - We're Gonna Miss You (white)

Anna Calvi - Blackout (Domino)

Joan As Policewoman - Human Condition (PIAS)

The Commodores - Night Shift (Motown)

Young The Grant - Apartment (Young And Lost Club)

Caitlin Rose - Own Side (Names)

Pat Dam Smyth - U (Public Sector)

Lucinda Williams - Somebody Somewhere (Sony)

Wynntown Marshalls - Thunder In The Valley (Chargere)

Duke Special - Smile (Reel To Reel)