Playlist 03.10.11

I had a semi-ridiculous discussion in a London pub recently about the best Bucks Fizz record ever made. In my mind, there was only one answer - their 1981 opus, 'The Land Of Make Believe'. The song was ok, but the sound of it was resplendent. Thunderous, gated snare drums, keyboards sequencing like mad, simultaneously compressed and enormous. And if I had to be perfectly honest, I might add that Jay Aston's perma-pout was a bonus.

The record was produced by Trevor Horn, who gave the decade grandeur and string arrangements, pulsating rhythms and the Fairlight computer, which delivered that crashing orchestral chord, signature of the era. Trevor Horne announced his talents with Buggles and Yes, but excelled with ABC, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Grace Jones, Propaganda and Art Of Noise. I wasn't sure about the recent collaboration with Belle And Sebastian but generally the fella did well and it was good to have his career path profiled on the show tonight with Reggie Chamberlain King. He even selected Dollar, but tragically, no Bucks Fizz.

BBC Radio Ulster, 92-95 FM

Online: www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster

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

Mondays, ten - midnight



David Bowie - Golden Years (EMI)

Marcus Foster - Old Birch Tree (Polydor)

The Rifles - Dreamer (The Rifles)

Ash - Jack Names The Planets (Rhino)

Trevor Horne - profile

Jeffry Lewis - Try It Again (Rough Trade)

Lisa Hannigan - Love You More (Absolute)

Marcus Foster - The Room (Polydor)

William Bell - I Forgot To Be Your Lover

Blueflint - Barren Lands (Jrr)

Atlas Sound - Lightworks (4ad)

Louis Prima - Basin Street Blues (Signature)

Bombay Bicycle Club - Lights Out Words Gone (Island)

The Persuaders - A Thin Live Between Love And Hate (BBC)

The Swell Season - I Don't Wanna Know About Love (Absolute)

Gillian Welch - Silver Dagger (Warner)

Bonnie Prince Billy - Quail And Dumplings (Domino)

The Murder Balladeers - South Of The Border (white)

The Innocence Mission - The Happy Mondays (Badman)

Majestic Silver Strings - Meds (New West)

Nick Cave - Straight To You (Mute)

Wild Beasts - Reach A Bit Further (Domino)

Dawes - Time Spent In Los Angeles (Loose)

Cave Painting - Midnight Love (Hideout)

Other Lives - Old Statues (PIAS)