A startling amount of responsible journalism behind this week’s playlist: we’ve had a bit of a session getting up to speed on a bunch of mainstream 2010 tips; discovered Lil Wayne should’ve probably stuck to hip hop; tried again to stay awake through the Midlake album and generally done our jobs more or less properly, I suppose.

Country singer and former husband of June Carter Cash dies at home in Nashville

Rare footage also included on new release by the reunited ska legends

Rufus and Martha Wainwright's mother loses battle with cancer

A bit unusual actually blogging about someone who sits in the same office, but a lovely reissue to start off today: the solitary EP by Apple Boutique, out for the first time on CD and pretty much unavailable since 1987.

Rivers Cuomo is recovering well

Singer/songwriter was 71

Coldplay, Emily Eavis also ask for people to help earthquake-stricken country

Can't pretend I pay too much attention to Animal Planet at the best of times, so many thanks to Mike for tipping me off about this fairly amazing clip.

One of his songs is getting covered in return