"My Dog & Other VIPs"

Everyone and their dog is welcome along to this...

The Opening Reception is 7pm on 3rd April at the Firestation Creative. Come on - it'll be FUN!

I loved being a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Blood On The Tracks organised by Thi Wurd. I made sure to tell my story of the time I lobbed a tartan scarf at Bob mid-set at the SEC, Glasgow in the early 90s. (A good chunk of my self-respect seemed to float off into the evening darkness along with it - but hey, technically He spoke to me.) 

I have a piece (an ink portrait of Marty Feldman) in a group show of art by drummers. You can catch Crash Ride Snare at Dunoon Burgh Hall running until the end of March.

 I liked this short piece of writing - 'The Loneliest Bench In Glasgow' by Peter Ross.

And I like this (look out, Nancy & Lee):

This is a moving documentary.

I like this piece by Jean Arp.

And here comes some of my you-know-what...

Yes, sir!

I was glad to design a postcard for Michael Shelley for the WFMU fundraiser.

"Loch Ness: They Created A Monster" was just shown on BBC Two. I recommend catching up with it here purely because I composed the music.

Mina Smallman on Desert Island Discs is a powerful listen.

I love these Mime and Handkerchief drawings by Quentin Blake. 

And also this:

And I dig these Post Office posters by Dorrit Dekk.

Maybe see you at this if you have a ticket (a little bird tells me it's sold out):

Robert Forster is coming to Scotland! - Ticket info here.

Camera Obscura are touring - info here.

Upcoming Teenage Fanclub shows in Ireland, Scotland, England & Brasil - info here.

Here comes some art. Subjects include Nicolas Poussin, Nikolai Astrup, Alfred Stieglitz, Nicholas Roerich, Rogerio Duprat, Leiko Ikemura, Francisco Toledo, my dog and the creator of Babar.

John Davidson

I am sad to learn about the sudden passing of John Davidson.

Photo from Wedding Strings Con Amore

We first crossed musical paths on a recording session for The Lost Songs Of St Kilda. Along with others I had arranged a piece to be recorded by The Scottish Festival Orchestra with whom John was a cellist and fixer.

After that experience I asked John to help me put together the musicians for my Hamilton Mausoleum album. The same players later played a live concert in the mausoleum.

John was a gentleman. He reassured me and supported me when - with my lack of formal musical training - I was apprehensive about presenting my music to classical musicians. In our first conversation he put me at ease. And during the mausoleum recording he was happy to go the extra mile. It was a long day in a cold building. But, with a blanket round his knees in the fading light, John kept on until the last note was recorded.

Sad to say the last time I saw John was at the funeral for the brilliant Justine Watts who led the ensemble at the mausoleum session.

My thoughts are with his loved ones.

Toast, you say?

Great drummers help make great songs great. Farewell, Rick Buckler. Who knows how many budding bedroom drummers played along with the records you made?

Sending Janice Forsyth positive thoughts at this time. A steadfast champion of the arts in Scotland and a 'radio pal' to millions of listeners over the years.

I am reading Alan Bennett's "Killing Time".

I enjoyed this:

Backlisted discussing The Moon's A Balloon with Rupert Everett is worth a listen, says I.

An extract from the diaries of David Sedaris:

I am writing music for a TV project that I can't tell you about.

Teenage Fanclub may have a wee announcement shortly.

I am glad to be part of this Bob-themed celebration on Dec 8th in Glasgow

You do know Camera Obscura are touring UK/Ireland in May/June, right?

And now...........some art.

Tinkety-tonk, old fruit.