Playlist 23.05.11

I don't know that I've been to Belle Isle, near Lisnaskea in Fermanagh. And I doubt that Bob Dylan has been there either. But on the 'Self Portrait' album, he sings beautifully about a humble maiden from those parts and how she's taken his heart.

I'm aware of this song because my friend Terri Hooley hipped me to it. While I'm familiar with many Dylan records, I'd always kept clear from 'Self Portrait' because all the critics had dismissed it as his first terrible album. Check out the reactions from Greil Marcus if you want a good laugh.

But the album has its moments, particularly 'Copper Kettle', 'All The Tired Horses' and 'Belle Isle'. According to my sleevenotes, the latter is a Dylan song, but elsewhere it is reported as a traditional work. Maybe he got it from Tommy Makem or the Liam Clancy. Can anyone illuminate?

BBC Radio Ulster, 92-95 FM

Online: www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Blog: https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/stuartbailie/

Mondays, ten - midnight

The Thrills - Big Sur (Virgin)

The Lil' Band O' Gold - Ain't No Child No More (Room 609)

The Sabrejets - Blitzkreig Bop (Raucous)

The Leisure Society - You Could Keep Me Talking (Full Time Hobby)

Booker T - Down In Memphis (Anti)

Jason Isbell - Heart On A String (Lightning)

Bon Iver - Calgary (4ad)

The Triffids - Fairytale Love (Island)

Booker T - The Bronx (Anti)

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Too Tough (PIAS)

Jono McCleery - It's A Wonderful Life (Counter)

Second Hour - Bob Dylan Special

Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues (Columbia)

Flatt And Scruggs - Like a Rolling Stone (Columbia)

Brian Ferry - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall (Virgin)

Cat Power - Paths Of Victory (Matador)

The Byrds - My Back Pages (Columbia)

Loudon Wainwright III - Talking Bob Dylan Blues (Virgin)

Bob Dylan - Just Like A Woman (Columbia)

Johnny Cash - It Ain't Me Babe (Columbia)

John Martyn - Don't Think Twice It's Alright (Island)

Bob Dylan, Mavis Staples - Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking (Sony)

Waterboys - Girl From The North Country (Ensign)

Bob Dylan - Belle Isle (Columbia)

Them - It's All Over Now Baby Blue (Decca)

Bob Dylan - Not Dark Yet (Columbia)