9 Sept - Badly Drawn Boy @ King Tuts, Glasgow.

Someone somewhere once said that a picture paints a thousand words, so here are some pictures of the amazing Badly Drawn Boy gig at King Tuts, splattered with some words, it wouldn't be a blog otherwise I suppose.



A new album is on its way and this was Damons way of previewing the new songs to the fans. The new songs sound great and I for one can't wait until it's October release.



The older songs on the set were mostly from his debut classic, The Hour of Bewilderbeast, which was a rare treat and he even played "I Love You All" from the rather expensive EP2 and I think that was due to the great reaction he was receiving from the Glasgow crowd.

I spoke to Damon briefly before and it was clear that he was nervous, but by the end he was really enjoying. There is an old cliche that Glasgow has the best gig crowd but I have a suspiscion that they are. Our love of music seems to know no bounds and most big tours stop by.



It was also a good opportunity to meet some guys from the Badly Drawn Boy forum, the legendary Stockport Steve was in Glasgow and I finally met him. A cool guy and the story about how he met Damon is a classic and they are now best of friends.

A top night and not too bad a hangover.

Al

7 August - Belle & Sebastian @ Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.

I hate travelling to Edinburgh for a gig. The M8 is dull, parking in Edinburgh is a nightmare, the venues are rubbish and I just don't find it a welcoming city, but occassionally needs must and there will occassionally be a gig that I just can't miss and tonight falls right into that category for me.

Tonight was a T in the Fringe gig in Princes Street Gardens, which is the park between Princess Street and the castle. A picturesque venue, especially when darkness fell illuminating the castle above the stage, what an amzing backdrop.

Support came from the marvellous Camera Obscura. They played a good mix of old and new songs and it's god to see they continue to do well. They are an underrated band in my opinion and deserve all the plaudits. Tracey Anne's voice is beautiful and I could have listened to them all night. If you haven't already check them out.

This was my 15th Belle & Sebastian gig and they never get dull. They have such a large bag cateloge they are able to play different gigs and they always seem to pull a surprise or 2 out of the bag and this was no different. My favourite song "Jonathan David" was the highlight and the climax was "Lazy Line Painter Jane" with accompanying vocals from Monica Queen who sang on the original ep in 1997. I saw her in the audience and when the band reappeared for the encoure, Stuart invited her to the stage to sing with them. The entire set list was as follows;

* Another Sunny Day
* Sukie In The Graveyard
* The Model
* A Summer Wasting
* Dirty Dream Number Two
* Le Pastie De La Bourgeoisie
* The Wrong Girl
* If She Wants Me
* We Are The Sleepyheads
* Lord Anthony
* Funny Little Frog
* If You're Feeling Sinister
* The Blues are Still Blue
* Dog On Wheels
* I'm A Cuckoo
* Jonathan David
* If You Find Yourself Caught In Love
* Judy And The Dream Of Horses
* ENCORE
* Me And The Major
* Lazy Line Painter Jane

A great gig and made even better as I was able to take my daughter, who is also a big B&S fan, obviously! Roll on gig number 16!!

Al

R.I.P. Syd

The world lost one of it's truely unique talents today when Syd Barrett passed away aged only 60. He was the early driving force behind Pink Floyd but despite being only in the band for three years and one album, his contribution cannot be downplayed.



He later became a recluse and his life dogged by mental illness some suggest brought on by drug abuse, but I for one will remember him for the songs he wrote like Arnold Lane. Sleep well Sid!

19 May - Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Glasgow Barrowlands.

What a great gig, I'd seen the Yeah Yeah Yeahs before and I really hope that tonight wasn't the last. Karen O is an amazing showman, she can be as theatrical as Ian Anderson one minute then become as punk as anything seen in the 70s the next then sing a beautiful gentle song, quite superb.

The crowd were right up for this and certainly lived up to Glasgows fierce reputation but it was surprising to see the bouncers act aggresively against loads of people, I'm not sure why, I was under the impression it was a rock n roll gig?

26 April - Morrissey and Sons & Daughters @ Greenock Town Hall.

This tour was to promote Morrisseys latest album "Ringleaders of the Tormentors", which debuted at number 1 recently. I do like the new album, but it just seems like more of the same and there doesn't seem to be anything new, but its still growing on me and I am enjoying it. That said, a few years ago it seemed that we'd never have any new Morrissey material so we should be overjoyed by every new released and on the whole I'd say I am.

Sons and Daughters opened tonight and they were excellent. I'd seen the support Franz Ferdinand at the QMU before but they've come on leaps and bounds since then and I must admit that I could watch and listen to lead singer Adele Bethel all night. They played a few new songs, which also sounded great, although Johnny Cash was the highlight for me, what a top song.

This tour follows the last with s few dates in Town Halls. I like these quirky dates and rather than buy tickets for the Carling Academy in Glasgow decided to travel to Greenock Town Hall instead. These gigs seem to be more intimate and different than normal big venues and this was no exception.

The set list was exactly the same as that of the first night of the tour in Manchester and was;

'First Of The Gang To Die'
'Still Ill'
'You Have Killed Me'
'I Just Want To See The Boy Happy'
'The Youngest Was The Most Loved'
'My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye'
'Reader Meet Author'
'Girlfriend In A Coma'
'To Me You Are A Work Of Art'
'I Will See You In Far Off Places'
'At Last I Am Born'
'Let Me Kiss You'
'Trouble Loves Me'
'A Song From Under The Floorboards'
'How Soon Is Now'
'Life Is A Pigsty'
'Irish Blood, English Heart'

It was a really good night but Mozza gigs are a bit predicatble now and aren't as special as they used to be, but I'm sure that won't stop me seeing him again this year at some point, of that I have no doubt.

Al

I'm currently listening to...

1. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - "Rabbit Fur Coat" (Rough Trade)
2. Be Your Own Pet - "Be Your Own Pet" (X L Recordings)
3. Nick Drake - "Five Leaves Left" (Island)
4. Morrissey - "Ringleader of the Tormentors" (Attack)
5. The Wedding Present - "George Best" (Cooking Vinyl)

Plus shed loads of 7" singles!

19 April - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins @ GUU Debating Chamber, Glasgow.

I still can't believe that I managed to get a couple of tickets for this. Being slow off the mark, all agencies soon advertised that the gig was sold out but a last ditched attempt was successful and I am so glad I persevered.



The Debating Chamber at Glasgow University Union (not to be confused with the Queen Margaret Union) is like a church and I recon holds about 400/500, and it was the first time I'd been but I'd heard excellent reviews especially after Arcade Fire played there and the reports were right. Its very intimate without being small, and by being all seated meant the views were all pretty much unrestricted.

Jonathan Rice opened, I suppose it's easy to get support slots when your going out with the main act and his set was ok, I'm not a huge fan. He’s a bit like 90s Scottish band Del Amitra for me and I won't rush out to see him again.

But the same certainly can't be said for Jenny Lewis. Her set was amazing and the best gig I've been to this year. She wouldn't be out of place in the 60's and I hope she'll be as fondly remembered as the top women singers of that decade as she is easily as good. A beautiful voice, assisted by the fine Watson twins, and some of the most beautiful songs I think I've ever heard. If you don't already own her new album "Rabbit Fur Coat" then go out and buy it, believe me you won't be disappointed.

4 April - Guillemots, Beerjacket and Mistys Big Adventure @ King Tuts, Glasgow

I offered to sell cds for Beerjacket tonight; therefore I totally missed his set, although from where I was standing it sounded excellent. The sound was tip top and there were a good amount of people in despite the very early start.

Mistys Big Adventure was by some way the strangest band I have ever seen. There were about 10 of them and the lead singer seemed to be dressed as a Muppet. Not my cup of teas but they seemed to have healthy following.

I love The Guillemots and their set didn't disappoint, however as I was completely knackered I left early but satisfied by the half hour I saw. They will be huge and deservedly so in my humble opinion.

21 March - The Raconteurs @ ABC, Glasgow.

Seeing Jack White onstage in a small venue like then ABC in a kilt and the same band as Brendan Benson and a bass player seems like some strange dream, but it is indeed true. Taking a break from The White Stripes and teaming up with his old friend Brendan Benson, he has formed a band but although I did enjoy the show, I'm not sure exactly why he has decided to do it.

I'm a big fan of The White Stripes and Brendan Bensons solo albums but together I'm not sure if it entirely works. Some of the songs sound decidedly White Stripes influenced and the others like Brendan. I'm sure they will do well but I have the feeling it will do more for Brendan’s career than Jacks.

12 March - The Concretes (postponed)

Woke up today and the world was white. About 2 feet of snow covered Coatbridge and any chance of driving to Mono for The Concretes album launch was gone. What a disappointment, even worse was the snow was cleared on Monday morning meaning we couldn't even have a nice duvet day from work.