Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Come On Up To The House | 20090901 | 20110501 (R4) | Come On Up to the House', by acclaimed Scottish writer A L Kennedy, is the first in a series of stories inspired by the distinctive world created by the legendary musician Tom Waits - a dark and sometimes sleazy world peopled by down-at-heel characters on the edge of society, or outcasts singing of loss and longing. In this story, inspired by a Waits track of the same name, a man finds himself reaching out to a perfect stranger in the wee small hours of the morning. The reader is the acclaimed actor, Peter Capaldi, best known for his film roles in Local Hero and more recently In the Loop, in which he reprised his extraordinary creation, spin doctor Malcolm Tucker from Armando Iannucci's The Thick of It. Author: A L Kennedy is a distinguished Scottish author and stand-up comedian who has won awards both for her short stories and novels. In 2003 she was nominated by Granta magazine as one of 20 'Best of Young British Novelists'. Produced by Justine Willett. By AL Kennedy. A man reaches out to a stranger for help in the small hours. Series of three stories inspired by the unique music of Tom Waits |
| 02 | Muriel | 20090902 | 20110508 (R4) | Ed Stoppard reads the next in the series of stories inspired by the distinctive world created by the legendary musician Tom Waits - a sleazy world peopled by down-at-heel characters on the edge of society, or outcasts and deadbeats singing of loss and longing. In US author Willy Vlautin's story, a small-town forklift truck-driver returns to his old neighbourhood and the bar he used to drink in before his breakdown. All the characters are still there, but he can't help but notice how they all do their best to avoid mentioning his dead wife Muriel. The reader is Ed Stoppard. The Author: US novelist and singer/songwriter Willy Vlautin grew up in Reno, Nevada. His first novel, The Motel Life, was published by Faber & Faber in 2006. He is also the songwriter and vocalist for the internationally acclaimed band, Richmond Fontaine, whose album The Fitzgerald (2005) was described by Q magazine as 'the most beautiful sad album of the year'. Produced by Justine Willett. By Willy Vlautin. At his old bar, a man wonders why locals avoid talk of his dead wife. Series of three stories inspired by the unique music of Tom Waits |
| 03 | Step Right Up | 20090903 | 20110515 (R4) | Step Right Up' is the next in the series of stories inspired by the distinctive world created by the legendary musician Tom Waits - a sleazy world peopled by down-at-heel characters on the edge of society, outcasts and deadbeats, hobos and grifters. Huge Waits fan and acclaimed Scottish author Ian Rankin has written a powerful tale, packed with intrigue and menace, set in a London market. A young Jack-the-Lad finds himself taken under the wing of a London market trader, known locally as Saviour. Soon he begins to wonder how his mentor got his name. Reader: Dominic Cooper. Produced by Justine Willett. By Ian Rankin. A boy taken under a market trader's wing wonders why he is known as Saviour Series of three stories inspired by the unique music of Tom Waits |