Stuart Murdoch's Listening Chair
Elizabeth Alker picks new releases from the world of ambient music. Also, Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian is in the Listening Chair to select a track that transports him.
Elizabeth Alker welcomes Belle and Sebastian鈥檚 lead singer and songwriter Stuart Murdoch to the Unclassified Listening Chair to share a track that transports him elsewhere. Belle and Sebastian formed in Stuart鈥檚 home city of Glasgow; and since then, his has become one of the most distinctive and best-loved voices in British art-pop music. He鈥檚 also the author of two books: the memoir 鈥楾he Celestial Cafe鈥� and the novel 鈥楴obody鈥檚 Empire鈥�, inspired by his years living with ME and also by his love of singing in a choir. As the band prepare for a run of UK dates in Dundee, Halifax, Glasgow and Aldermaston, Stuart shares a transcendental gig-going experience that shaped him as a musician.
Elsewhere in the programme, more classically minded art-pop and crafted ambient-electronica from the Scottish music scene, including tracks by The Pictish Trail, Arab Strap and Boards of Canada.
Produced by Geoff Bird
A Reduced Listening production for 91福利社 Radio 3
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 鈥渁sk 91福利社 Sounds to play Unclassified鈥�.
On radio
Music Played
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King Creosote
A Prairie Tale
- From Scotland With Love.
- Domino.
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Boards of Canada
You Retreat In Time And Space
- Inferno.
- Warp.
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Arab Strap
Chat In Amsterdam, Winter 2003
- The Last Romance.
- Chemikal Underground.
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Mogwai
Tracy
- Mogwai Young Team.
- Chemikal Underground.
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Heather Leigh Murray
Scorpio And Androzani
- Throne.
- Editions Mego.
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Richard Youngs
The World Is Silence In Your Head
- Making Paper.
- Jagjaguwar.
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The Four Brothers
Rudo Chete
- Rudo Chete.
- Global Press Music.
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Belle and Sebastian
Everything Is Now (instrumental)
- How To Solve Our Human Problems Parts 1-3.
- Matador.
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Andrew Wasylyk & Stuart Murdoch
Private Symphony #2
- Private Symphony #2.
- Clay Pipe Music.
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James Yorkston & Jon Hopkins
Woozy With A Cider
- Woozy With A Cider.
- Domino.
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The Pictish Trail
Secret Sound #2
- Secret Soundz Vol 1.
- Fence Records.
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Scatter
National Magic
- Surprising Sing Stupendous Love.
- Pickled Egg Records.
Broadcasts
- Sun 14 Jun 2026 23:3091福利社 Radio 3
- Sun 22 Nov 2026 23:3091福利社 Radio 3
What is unclassified music?
Elizabeth Alker introduces five of her favourite 'unclassifiable' pieces of music.