Hello Cleveland

America continues 'to rock'.

How great to be back in NY: not just to catch up with music pals like Laura Cantrell and Michael Shelley and the nicest bassist in the world (just ask Ronnie Spector) Jeremy Chatzky; or indeed to have Ira Kaplan jump onstage for a jam...

...but because of Junior's Cheescake.

And because when riding the NY subway stuff like this happens:





Boston and Philly shows were fun. Great to meet Princeton professor of music (and pal of Norman's) Dmitri Tymoczko

Beautiful Autumn whizzes by

Blakey's back onstage in Boston

A flight of beers in Philadelphia chosen for me by the grandson* of the man whose label, Swan Records, released "She Loves You In" the US? Och, I don't...

 Oh, OK.

 This was a groovy diner...

Window shopping in Cleveland...

Tempted - but those trousers would be wasted behind a drum kit

Splendid grub on West 6th St.

What else? My big sister's shortbread has been popular in the tour van. And now I'm off to get some brunch.

Cleveland just made the World Series. Might help make for a fun time at tonight's show...

Keep in touch.

 *(Jim from Taggart. Not that Taggart - it's a band)

Back In the USA

So TFC are back in the USA.

t-shirt made in Honduras

We played Toronto a couple of nights ago. 

Fun gig. Sold all our t-shirts. I met up with my long lost cousin and her daughter which was a bonus. They treated me to dinner which was another bonus. Grilled salmon and steam whistle beer. (Ah, I can still taste it. Must brush my teeth.)

Yesterday, as I type, TFC drove down into the US for the schlep to DC, fortified by a Primanti Brothers sandwiches pit stop. 

Today I promenaded in the fresh sunshine to the Trump International HQ 2017 (just kidding).

Strolling past the Whitehouse I passed a cheery-looking pilgrim burdened by a huge wooden crucifix. Only later did it occur to me to ask if Jesus had accessorised his one with a US flag and some roller-skates on the bottom to aid transportation. L'esprit de l'escaliers.

I also passed a stout chap sporting a POLITICAL CORRECTNESS OFFENDS ME t-shirt. A lesser man might have asked if this meant he'd like to be referred to as 'fat'. But not me.

After the Washington Monument I had a peek in the White House souvenir shop.

The Donald's lost some weight.

Then tasty tacos from a van in Farragut Square.

Roll on DC gig tonight.

Meanwhile here is a new Teenage Fanclub video:

October

It's October!

(Lost Songs Of St Kilda is Number 1 for the third week in Classical Charts so yay)

I've watched all of Season 2 of Better Call Saul to watch. Loved it. Season 3 please.

I applied to Creative Scotland to record an album of new music at Hamilton Mausoleum and was unsuccessful. Then I re-applied - and I was successful. More on this in good time.

I think Northgate, the Glasgow passport office, gets my newly inaugurated the Friendliest Staff Award proving bureaucracy doesn't need to be po' faced. New passport means I am looking forward to touring the US this month with Teenage Fanclub. All live dates here.

Thumbs up for Grayson Perry's "Playing To The Gallery".

On rebellious art things being co-oopted into family viewing.

"The last truly dangerous thing - the one you won't see - is underarm hair."

Loved this.

Any chance to see The Beatles on the big screen - count me in.

I liked this doc on the National Theatre Of Scotland. Lovely to hear Karine Polwart narrating it too.

Earlier this year "Dunblane - Our Story" was screened on BBC. A very powerful, sensitive film directed by Stephen Bennett. I greatly appreciated being involved in providing the music. And I am delighted to learn that it has been nominated for a BAFTA.