Influences
Mr. Gone
RIP Joe Zawinul The legendary jazz keyboard player passed away earlier today. I first came across his work with Weather Report back in 1987 in a TV concert presumably broadcast following the death of bassist Jaco Pastorius, was immediately transfixed…
Neo-prog overload
It does get its fair share of bad press, but neo-prog was a part of the early years of my musical development – mainly because the other bands I liked at that time in the mid 80’s (Jethro Tull, Pink…
Tartan Heart (Belladrum) Festival
It has been a number of years since I last went to a music festival to experience the delights of multiple bands, dodgy catering and never-ending queues for toilets. My first such event was the Cropredy festival in 1987 which…
Now It Can Be Told
Just back from a fortnight’s holiday on the emerald isle, refreshed and renewed, to discover the passing of another great. Kurt Vonnegut RIP Of the small group of writers I would categorise as my ‘favourites’, Kurt Vonnegut has always felt…
Scots, Sports and Raw Spirit
Hold onto your hats – this is a long one… Tourist Tat I’ve followed two generations of family working in various parts of the Scottish tourist industry and have therefore been thoroughly steeped for years in views of garish tartans,…
Flux Sake
I’ve had a fairly hectic few weeks between various gigs, changing jobs and increasing family taxi services. Another two live sound gigs – one very cool show in a barn as part of a party/barbequeue/dance/shindig event, and another more local…
Whistlin’ Dixie
I’ve had more than my fair share of hillbilly / redneck experiences in this last week – must be something in the air. Jerry Springer – The Opera At the start of the week we treated ourselves to a night…
Ivor Cutler – RIP
I’ve just learned that Ivor Cutler passed away last Friday. Quite disgusted that there was no mention of it on the news (even the local Scottish news) – unless I blinked and missed it. He was a true original, and…
