The Rumours Are True

First off, I can confirm that the rumours about me and Katy Perry are true.

Apart from Katy's wow-factor-full-on-hi-camp-ultra-entertaining-hydraulic-pink-cloud-glittery-primary-colored-teenage-multi-media-poptastic extravaganza at the SEC in Glasgow a couple of days ago (and, after the show, standing proudly by while she told Tracyanne Campbell from Camera Obscura "I love your voice" and that her husband introduced her to CO's music) other stuff I have recently been enjoying includes:

And:

I love the atmosphere of these films. I am working through the Rathbone-as-Holmes collection, saving The Hound Of The Baskervilles till last. Basil's stirring, more-optimistic-than-prescient speeches at the end always tickle me, eg:

Sherlock Holmes: There’s a new spirit abroad in the land. The old days of grab and greed are on their way out. We’re beginning to think of what we owe the other fellow, not just what we’re compelled to give him. The time is coming, Watson, when we cannot fill our bellies in comfort while the other fellow goes hungry, or sleep in warm beds while others shiver in the cold. And we shan’t be able to kneel and thank God for blessings before our shining altars while men anywhere are kneeling in either physical or spiritual subjection.

Dr. John H. Watson: You may be right, Holmes… I hope you are.

Sherlock Holmes: And, God willing, we’ll live to see that day, Watson.

(got this here)

What else, you say? Well, I was treated to The Barber Of Seville at Theatre Royal and dug it very much. That's the third Scottish Opera staging I've seen there and they have all looked brilliant (Rigoletto was a corker). 

Other stuff I have recently enjoyed include Mark Gatiss on Desert Island Discs; David Sedaris "Memory Laps" in a recent New Yorker; the repeat of the Psychoville Halloween special; Randy Newman's inheritance tracks on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live (from 47mins 30secs approx); Machi Massala takeaway from Mother India's Cafe; family birthday fun; please, Father, that is all I can remember - I'm not sure how long it's been since my last confession....

Later, 'gator x

PS: Randy Newman is back in Glasgow in Feb 2012. Hooray!!!!

And ANOTHER thing

I KNOW! Right? Yeah so anyway....

I forgot to stick this in my last post. The music is from my second instrumental album "Maculate Conceptions Volume 2". The footage is from Japan. You do the geography.

What - you want more? Well head over here.

x

Bob, Woody, Film Music, Sneckers, Spangles and Positive Thinking

Well. Bob Dylan's 2 x Glasgow shows were splendid. Especially the second night, Sunday 11th Oct. I've got three words for you. Blind Willie McTell. Can I get an amen? THANkyou!

Now. Any other business?

I had almost forgotten the relatively rare pleasure of seeing a new, great Woody Allen film in the cinema. The first one I ever saw as it came out was his "Oedipus Wrecks" in "New York Stories" ('Marge Simpson' was a good comic onscreen compadre). The latest was "Midnight In Paris". In the early stages I thought I was going to appreciate the idea more than the execution, but it won me round fair and square. To elaborate might spoil it. Whatever. For what it is worth, it gets my seal of approval.

One more thing.

I made my first bespoke soundtrack for Team WriteCameraAction!'s 48 Hour Film Project entry "A Shot In The Dark". We got awards for Best Costumes and Cinematography. I didn't want to win the Best Music Score award anyway so Sneckers! (I bet the last time you said 'sneckers' you were munching a spangle. O to be young again sporting non-ironic flares. I digest. I mean digress.). Here's the trailer:

I hope to get more soundtrack opportunities. Watch this space.

OK. Check the gate. Take it away, fellas:

"Maculate Conceptions Volume 2"

OK so I am releasing "Maculate Conceptions Volume 2", the second and final instalment of instrumental tracks recorded on my MacBook while Teenage Fanclub toured Europe in Nov/Dec 2010.

Buy it here. 

The first track is called "Weissenhauser". Here is a video with footage shot in Brazil:

Random things I have recently enjoyed - New Yorker article on Tony Bennett recording with Lady Gaga...Martin Clunes on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs...The Moth podcast...a plain chocolate bounty.

Rock on.

Is it September already?

Hello. Yes I am still here.

Since I last blogged I had this photo of my wee boy strolling by the side of Glasgow's new Riverside Museum (designed by Zaha Hadid) published in the Herald newspaper:

I liked then loved Chris Lilley's Angry Boys:

I baked some cakes - Torta De Santiago, Orange & almond, Eggless Pineapple (I substituted the Cardamom Powder with Nutmeg & Cinnamon) and a disastrous banana oaf, I mean loaf. Or do I?

Oh - and I was turned onto this. And now I am turning you onto it (wish Ben Dunlap was my professor):

http://www.ted.com/talks/ben_dunlap_talks_about_a_passionate_life.html

I am re-reading the powerful Maus book(s).

I have been making some mainly instrumental music. I did write a wee song called "Hey Pumpkin". I'll let you imagine how it goes for now.

I saw Almodovar's "The Skin I Live In":

Yikes. 2 thumbs up from me. Although my favourite Pedro A opus remains "Talk To Her".

Teenage Fanclub played a festival last month in Aranda Del Duero, Spain. Good wine country there apparently. I like wine. I like Spain.

More things I like? All in good time, my child.

Besos.

John McCusker, Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan and me. And John Herald.

So my best pal is going on tour with my hero.

John McCusker (plays the fiddle an' that) has been working with Mark Knopfler for the past couple of years. And Mark Knopfler - who produced this of course) is touring with Bob Dylan around Europe for several weeks later this year. And McCusker's going to be in tow. 'kin mental!! I'm so proud I could kick his head in. Still, me and Bob actually bonded way before this.

*Cue dream-like harp and glockenspiel arpeggios as we dissolve to a dimly lit plane hangar on the banks of the River Clyde, filled with predominantly male, grey-haired Mojo-reading music enthusiasts*

.....20 odd years ago at the SEC in Glasgow, I threw a

 

at

He looked a bit sheepish when this thing sailed out of the dark towards him. He moved to the back of the stage. But a little later he bent down to pick it up (maybe it was in the way of his set list) - and it unfurled to reveal itself for what it was. Not a bomb but a wee souvenir of Bonnie Scotland. Bob mumbled "Alright, thank you" into the mic. To me. Bob Dylan thanked me. I'll pause so you can re-read that and take it in. Got it? So there. How's THAT for meaningful communication?

For the record I'm not an over-the-top Uber Fan or anything. I am way more together than that. But I'll need to ask John to remind Bob about this incident. I say that but let's be honest, Bob is not likely to have forgotten. It was a nice scarf. Macdonald tartan. I mean more like; John can take the opportunity to let Bob know I'm doing fine. He's probably wondering. And maybe he can return the scarf. Only if he's done with it like. But, y'know, I mean.... that's been 20 years he's hung on to it.

Oh - here's a wee drawing I once did of Bob on Evernote:

I know. Uncanny. Never had a lesson in my life.

And while I've got you, I'll post this in tribute to the late great (one time Bobby D scuffing partner) John Herald. That night John played downstairs at the 13th Note Cafe in Glasgow - solo and backed by my old country band Radio Sweethearts - lives on as a magical memory. John you are gone, but you are not forgotten.

Recent things I have liked

Hello - I am alive. Three random things that I have liked recently.

Jonny's gig at King Tut's on Friday...

Family time by Loch Lomond today....

A documentary about Leonard Bernstein...

Oh and one other bonus thing: "What did the animal walk to the zoo? Because he shivered" (Hugh's first made-up joke. Well, it's a start....)