One of my favourite occupations––when I’m not busy doing my other favourite occupations––is listening to music. Although I have a decent vinyl collection, mostly from the 70s and all bought decades ago, it’s downstairs. In any case, I rarely play much because it involves such a ritual. But I’m proud of it.

So apart from background kitchen radio din or pop insincerity in the car, sitting at my computer is mostly where I listen. My Internet go-to radio station is Radio Paradise…no advertising, minimal words, and a great mix of music that’s generally easy on the ears. It’s not a station playing hits, current pop or rock, but you never know, be surprised.

Then there’s my digital library, my collection of aural memorabilia, not that I remember all of it. Occasionally, I’ll display the list of all the songs and hit random play. I didn’t know I had everything I have. A revelation.

So, I thought I’d share some of the music and songs that interest me, plucked from my collection, sorry, database.

RG

• Part One: Joe Strummer and The Mascaleros, Bombino and Oscar Brown Jnr
• Part Two: Monte Montgomery, Lucinda Williams and Edgar Winter
• Part Three: Rupert Hine and David MacIver
• Part Four: Love, Philip Sayce Group and Steadman
• Part Five: Taj Mahal, The Chieftains and Wilco
• Part Six: Randy Newman, Shuggie Otis and Sonny Landreth
• Part Seven: in memory of Toots Hibbert R.I.P