Live And In Person in Newcastle

So I played a solo acoustic show in the mighty Cumberland Arms, Newcastle for Burns Night.

I played some songs I have written but not released; some songs from "Bonjour" (the album I made with Harry Pye); and some songs I just like,  eg "I Don't Want To See You Anymore" by Michael Shelley.

Half a set list.

I sang "Green Grow The Rushes, O" in tribute to Scotland's favourite tax-collecting, philandering bard.

Could you get haggis suppers or deep-fried pizza in the local chippies?, I enquired of the audience. You could not. I said, "There must be something you can get in a Newcastle
fish and chip shop that you can't get in Glasgow?". A voice piped up, "Botulism".

I tasted some Dalwinnie whisky with some good people.

I don't know about you but I love a post gig sing-along on the piano when no one knows the words. Instead folk clap along, getting faster and faster, exposing the limits of one's pianistic proclivities to the point where you may as well be wearing extra large oven gloves. Bliss.

Before the gig I had some tasty lentil soup and an amazing Turkish coffee in The Bake.

To those that don't know The Cumberland Arms - it's a grrreat pub. I stayed in a room upstairs and next morning they brought me breakfast.

During my trip I found time to visit the Laing Gallery.

Can you see the two faces?

I visited the beautiful Baltic Mills on the banks of The Tyne.

I had a stroll along the quay.

And then I took the train - and my fond memories - home.

(Thanks again for the gig, Owain.)

"Sorry" from David Sedaris's "Calypso" is great. But everything he writes is great.

A wee while ago I finally got around to doing the Glasgow City Chambers Tour. I recommend it.

I recently saw this...

...and this...

I enjoyed both.

In a few days I am talking to some composition students at the RCS about making music for film/TV:

So there you are.