Throughout 2008 and 2009, I was a regular contributor to The Scotsman’s Recommends feature, with readers and staff alike contributing their Top 5s Scottish-themed lists; Best Walks in Fife, Best Monros, Best Deep-Fried Chocolate Bar, that kind of thing. While most were tourist related; selling the great and the good that Caledonia has to offer, mine were more pop culturally biased, albeit with a Jockanese slant. Over the next few weeks and months, I intend to revisit my previous choices and amend them accordingly. Seasons come and go, times change and tastes vary with the wind. And besides, I’ve realised I don’t like Bryan Burnett anymore.
In April 2009, I nominated my Best 5 Scottish Radio Shows but in the intervening twelve months my radio listening habits have changed somewhat and I offer you my latest radio recommendations. My original list, as you see from the link above, had three Radio Scotland shows but as one has bitten the dust and I’ve stopped listening to the other two it’s time to revisit my selections. Apart from my own recent appearances on Radio Scotland, I’ve stopped listening to the station completely. I used to be woken by the Radio Scotland breakfast show keeping me abreast of the latest news while I had a shave, shower and a sh…brush my teeth. Due to a change to a more flexible working pattern, I get up earlier so don’t catch the radio alarm.
So Bryan Burnett – I like the listener-driven format but not the presenter – and Janice Forsyth leave the party and in come my new best radio friends.
Stay tuned for more Jocknroll
BEST SCOTTISH RADIO SHOWS
1. Art School Dancing (Ally Gourlay, Leith FM) Mondays 2200-0000 98.8 FM and online (www.leithfm.co.uk)
This is my kind of show. Art School Dancing has been around since the 1980s (Radio West Fife and Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM) but has now settled into its new Monday night home at Leith FM. Ally pulls all manner of musical magic from his sleeve as listeners are treated to an aural pick ‘n’ mix from the likes of the Cocteau Twins, Idle Race, Culture, Julian Cope, Floxytek and a fabulous intro from Peter Wyngarde. He steers away from the obvious choices while taking us on a journey through psychedelia, new wave and some fresh tracks from 2010. Sure it’s on a school night, but think of it as the only music class you’ll ever need.
2. Soundwave (John Cavanagh, Radio Six) Online via www.radiosix.com
Radio Six International is an Internet radio station based in Glasgow. It broadcasts a wide-ranging mix of sounds from all over the planet and it is radio’s best kept secret. I grew up listening to John Cavanagh on such legendary shows as Original Masters and I could listen to him read the Thomson Local Directory. After Sound of the Sixties on Radio 2, I immediately switch over to hear John’s latest grab bag of the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blues. My loyalties have been tested with Soundwave clashing with Andrew Collins and Richard Herring on 6Music but Soundwave is also available on Friday nights. Phew!
3. The Ken Bruce Show (Ken Bruce, Radio 2) 88-91 FM
The listening figures don’t lie with a weekly reach of 6.6 million listeners tuning into features such as Tracks of my Years and the ever-popular Popmaster quiz, which have successfully appeared on. He may have gone darn saff many years ago but he’s still as Scottish as Irn Bru and shortbread. Recent reports that Bruce was to be axed were neither confirmed nor denied by the BBC but caused considerable outrage. Ken has also been the victim of Wikipedia mischief-makers who suggested that he played maracas on Coast to Coast’s 1981 hit (Do) The Hucklebuck! I’ll even forgive him for supporting the Teddy Bears.
4. Jim Gellatly’s New Music (Jim Gellatly, Radio Magnetic) Radio Magnetic/iTunes
Radio Scotland’s loss is the world’s gain. I don’t know anyone who does more for new Scottish bands than big Jim. His small but perfectly formed weekly podcast is just one string to his ever-expanding bow. As well as his New Music podcast, his addictive Street Sounds of Scotland podcasts and DJing, Jim is branching out into music consultancy, voice-over & podcast production.
5. Where The Action Is (The Cat, Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM) Channel 3 on hospital bedside or 1287AM in Kirkcaldy
If I don’t blow my own trumpet, no one else will (oo-er missus!). Those who have heard my show have enjoyed it and I know if I were in hospital I’d listen to me too but then I would say that. I play a mix of mod, soul, girl groups/singers, freakbeat and a wide variety of alternative tracks from the late 50s through to the early 70s. There are two rounds of Connect 3, the Foreign Language track, the Half-Time Instrumental, the Trojan Mod Reggae track (replacing the recently completed A to Z of The Beach Boys), Under the Influence, Two of a Kind and every week we celebrate a musical birthday. Mixing up the normal award-nominated show with regular specials (Hallowe’en, Jocknroll for St. Andrews Day, Joe Meek, Eurovision, Christmas), Where The Action Is is very much a labour of love.
Jocknroll Ain't Noise Pollution 
I also grew up listening to the great Radio Scotland show Original Masters! I was wondering where I could hear some of the old O/M shows? I’ve looked high and low over the Internet and can’t find a thing.
No idea, to be honest. John Cavanagh may have some copies at home but beyond that I don’t know. I’ll ask him.