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The Dumbarton Road to Nowhere
David Byrne, one of Scotland’s most famous expats, releases his latest unique album on Tartan Day next week. A collaboration with Fatboy Slim, “Here Lies Love” features the vocals of Cyndi Lauper and Santigold among others, and is just the latest stop on a fascinating musical journey that began in Dumbartonshire.
Leonard TAM
April 2, 2010
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Minstrels, Poets and Vagabonds…
I recently received a copy of Minstrels Poets and Vagabonds, the history of rock music in Glasgow from the sixties up to the present day. Written by promoter and DJ Robert Fields the book is a fascinating history of a musical genre that is at best ignored, at worst ridiculed.
Alistair Braidwood
February 10, 2010
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In praise of: Lloyd Cole
I think that it says almost everything about the year of Homecoming that I have almost no thoughts about it at all, but then I suppose it wasn’t for me. Some insist that the year has been successful in promoting the country around the world, but I’m not sure how such things are calculated.
Alistair Braidwood
February 3, 2010
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A Night Out with B.A. Robertson and Billy MacKenzie
I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the Scottish Songbook concert at the Concert Hall in Glasgow last Saturday night (Thanks Chris!) I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but it was a grand evening. More contemporary than I was expecting. Performers included Karine Polwart, who was the director of the evening, Ricky […]
Alistair Braidwood
January 27, 2010
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Don’t You Forget About Me: Scars
In 1981 the NME wrote of Scottish post punk band Scars that “Scars will be stars: they’re the new craze. The stage is theirs.” It didn’t happen like that, but when you see the video below, filmed around Edinburgh in 1981, you might think it still looks ahead of its time.
Shiner
January 20, 2010
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The Blue Nile: Have Soul, Will Travel
Rome wasn’t built in a day. And neither was the highly reputed reputation of The Blue Nile created over one musical night. As the band hits almost thirty and begins its fourth decade in the music industry, they are in no rush to add to their discography which consists of five lines, including the band’s […]
Leonard TAM
October 24, 2009
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Quiet Please.…. it’s Primal Scream
I’m walking towards the Atelier in Luxembourg. It is Monday August 17th. Primal Scream are in town and about to play a gig here. It is apparently their first visit to the country. Their latest studio album is entitled Beautiful Future ; their 9th album on the trot. An eighty foot bus with only the luminosity […]
Leonard TAM
August 28, 2009
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The “Are They Really Scottish?” List
We like music do us Scots. But we have an extra special affection for Scottish music. Kenny McColl of the Tartan Specials tackles one of the fundamental questions facing Scottish music fans : Rod Stewart, Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, AC/DC, Men at Work – are they really Scottish? Film of AC/DC at the Apollo below.
Kenny McColl
July 17, 2009
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Don’t You Forget About Me : Summer 1990 – Glasgow’s Big Day
On June 3, 1990 an estimated 250,000 people enjoyed performances of pop, rock, folk, jazz and classical music from more than fifty artists, spread over eleven hours. Three stages at George Square, Custom House Quay and Glasgow Green allowed mainly Scottish artists to perform before huge live audiences, with millions more watching on Channel4.
Shiner
July 1, 2009