It has now been over a month since Mark Riley begun his Saturday afternoon slot on 6 music. After countless years as the able radio partner and sidekick to Mark Radcliffe, the former Fall bassist went solo and seemingly started nervously, as he got to grips with saying much more than "niiice" or "ohhh yeesss" in between records. Thankfully the honeymoon period is now over and Riley has settled in, showing more confidence and engaging the audience with his knowledge of artists backgrounds and anecdotes to entertain and educate in between tracks.
From the first show, Riley promised a fatman scoop free zone. Thankfully he has delivered in abundance. Starting with the classic "Do anything you want to do" from Eddie and the hot rods, the eclecticism lacking from their lunchtime show on Radio 1, was now allowed to breathe in its own comfortable environment with
It is also a welcome outlet for Riley to elaborate his jocular humour from the previously succinct but rapier-like dry wit unleashed in his previous incarnation as "Lard". Interviewing PJ Harvey, he modestly remarked Fall bass players were not an elite club, and has involved David Bowie in a weekly gag involving missing him for interview every week. Features are also testing and thought-provoking. Cranium Conundrum is a genius concept taking a crossword clue from a Music magazine in Riley extensive archives, and the discussions on Parallel Universe hoping for good memories, when all we get are loathsome pap masquerading as pop, proof positive that tastes in music could be as bad in yesteryear as they are today. Upcoming guests include Gomez, Supergrass and Belle and Sebastian.
A veritable feast for any connoisseur of music. Riley surely should be applauded. He's found himself a happy home.
Craig Aston.
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