TUNE UP

Despite repeated warnings to the Happy Highlanders along the lines of: are you sure about this?

They suggested they would come down form Glenmore to see Bill Wells latest project @ CCA in Glasgow.

As I suspected there was another librarian at the gig, Stephen pastel & another pastel, catriona (who was to play drums on stage). I was astonished to learn that the Highlanders wanted to attend this gig, as they frequently despair at my eclectic taste in music, especially with regard to glitch/minimalism/Japanese noise etc.

Each year, I try & convince them of how superb the Instal @ the Arches had been. I am sure they just nod to placate me. To be honest I was not sure what to expect @ the CCA, as apart from great respect for Bill Wells, I did not know the work of the other musicians on the programme.

Although, I had a sneaking feeling that I had seen Kama Aina playing in Mono last year?

This concert was part of the Scottish Arts Council’s ‘Tune Up’ Programme of taking tours around more remote parts of the country. Along with Bill Wells there was Maher Shalal Hash Baz, Tenniscoats, Kama Aina & Kazumi Nikaidoh. The latter was unquestionably the star of the show.

My friends were pleasantly surprised, as they were impressed by the musicianship & the melodies. The madcap surrealism was captivating, as you were never sure what was to happen next.

I am quick to associate Japanese music with either noise (Merzbow/Aube) /retro psychedelia (Acid Mothers Tempel) /acid jazz (Mondo Grosso) /brazilia etc..and I realised that there is just so much more great music coming from that country. However, to see these acts live is such a delight.

RAVI SHAKAR



Yes, I know, sometimes its hard to find the time to update the blog. I accept the comments from those concerned. My rainbow making kit has been sheltering these last few days. However there is a break in the cloud cover & the sun is shining.

Watching Dan Cruickshank getting his ear hair burnt off in Istanbul has opened up possibilities for me. Taking my moustache off, would remind my sons & I of my dad’s last days in the hospital. The nurses had shaved off his moustache. My sons had never seen him without it. I could detect a look of concern, when they thought mine was gone. Maybe I am only being hopeful here? I had just trimmed it, although I had rendered it almost invisible. Playing around with facial hair is such a lark. People take it too seriously. Lose the ego, man!

Mothering Sunday, what’s all that aboot? Anyway my wife got 2 dvds, one we wont mention, but the second was a Joni Mitchell one of her in concert with her artwork surrounding her. It was really enjoyable. Am I stuck in a sixties thing or what?

I recently obtained a cd copy of the ‘Hair’ soundtrack. I used to loathe this at the time, but with the benefit of hindsight, it actually sounds good to these ears at this time in my life.

Seeing Donovan at the time of ‘Cosmic Wheels’ in concert made me cringe. Were we really that naive? I also watched the old George Harrison concert for Bangladesh. I remember seeing it when it came out in the cinema. Am I really that old! Anyway, I still enjoyed it immensely, the wrong Beatles died.

What about old Ravi Shankar though, he rocked. He has left his talent to his fine daughters. Why is it I can only remember, Norah Jones’ s name & not the other one who follows closer to her fathers’ footsteps.

Talking of fathers & sons & daughters: I recently discovered myself shouting at the tv. My dad used to do this also. So a word of warning to Hugh & Keith, I never thought it would happen to me! This brings me back again to the old unwanted hair problem. If you hear a fire engine in my neighbourhood, you will know the old Turkish barber trick with the naked flame is extremely dangerous!