There is a beautiful space in the heart of BBC’s Pacific Quay building. It’s not the foyer, where so many events happen – but is less than perfect for acoustic performances, and it’s certainly not the large television studios. But, tucked away under the enormous stairway of the building, is Studio One. There all manner of radio plays, Loose Ends, radio sessions and many other activities are committed to tape. (ditally speaking)
It is from there, this week, that we shall broadcast the entire two hours of Another Country with the help of great guests who all happen to be in town for Celtic Connections and also happen to be old friends of the show. Playing live will be Red Sky July featuring Ally McErlaine (formerly of Texas) and Shelly Poole. (Alishas’s Attic) Their recent album Misty Morning will be the centre piece of the conversation and we shall hear live versions of songs from that collection as well as a rather well chosen cover version. If that’s not enough they have also picked some Country gems to play which we’ll delight over together.
The first time Red Sky July visited 15 years ago!
In the second hour of the show we welcome Ashley Campbell for the third time. Ashley is the youngest daughter of the late, great, Glen Campbell whose contribution to country music needs no introduction. If Glen’s voice and guitar playing were not reason enough to love his music he often entertained Scottish fans with a blast on the bagpipes. Ashley’s song, Remembering, which featured on her father’s final documentary, I’ll Be Me. If you’ve never seen it, I recommend it to you.
More recently Ashley released Goodnight Nashville which features her own songwriting and playing. She’ll play some selections from that album tonight and we’ll talk about her own memories of her father who, in his friend’s Jimmy Webb’s words, brought country music to the mainstream.
Ashley, along with her partner Thor Jensen will also be bringing us some great records which we will play out over the course of the show. It’s a very special AC available to hear live from five past eight this Tuesday evening on BBC Radio Scotland or on BBC Sounds any time you like. Join me if you can.