It’s a beautiful late October day and I’m looking out of my studio window as the autumn trees bend and sake in the breeze. The leaves are all golden and once more I understand why the romantics loved this season more than any other. Perhaps what we enjoy about the post clock-reset is the certainty that it’s really OK to light a fire and put on woollen garments happily discarded over the summer months. (that last bit was aimed at my southern readers as Scottish summers usually don’t allow for the shedding of any layers)
It’s also the season where we enjoy going out to be entertained in indoor spaces. This week alone there are plenty of live attractions coming your way and (if Chuck Prophet is still this side of the Atlantic) opportunities to witness rock n roll shows that will melt your heart and change your life for the better. This week I’ll get to see the long awaited Gillian Welch and David Rawlings show and last night I saw Brandy Clark for the first time ever. Brandy curated a brilliant gig which touched on most of her best songs as well as showcasing songs which may appear on record next year. Judging by the reaction of a very enthusiastic Glasgow audience, Brandy has made a connection for life with the city. I’ll play a highlight moment on this week’s AC.
As I pulled the car out of the drive last night to see Brandy, I was serenaded on my journey with one of Mr Murdoch’s fine playlists which sprung into action as soon as I turned on the engine. It happened to land on Will Clark and his latest album Carolina Lightning which also happens to be my soundtrack as I write. There’s something about bluegrass music which puts a smile on your face in a way no other music can do. A few years ago when Steve Earle was touring with the Del McCoury band he visited Scotland with his bluegrass show. A very well known promoter was known to be rubbing his hands with glee that he could put on a high selling show where there were a number of musicians on the stage and only one microphone required! It’s the joy of watching the musicians take their solo round that one microphone that makes live bluegrass so special. Let’s get more of it over here, I say.
You’ll hear Will Clark’s excellent new album on this week’s AC as well as a little Bob Dylan rabbit hole I want to take you down. It’s only a few weeks until Bob comes to Scotland. Each time we never can know if it will be the final visit but I intend to celebrate what must be my favourite album of the last few years. Rough and Rowdy Ways (if you’ve not heard it, go buy it) is perhaps one of the finest records of Bob’s career. It’s perfectly sequenced and the fact that the live show leans so heavily on the album only endears the experience more. I could go on….
I will this Tuesday. Join me from five past eight on BBC Sounds or BBC Radio Scotland if you can.
Hi, Ricky, just caught up with show from last week: it was great as ever! I’ve had a bit of catching up to do as I was out of the country for a couple of weeks and it was in a time zone where listening live isn’t really an option. Also, as I’m an avid listener to the Iain Anderson Show, Another Country, Roddy Hart, The Quay Sessions, Travelling Folk and Ralph Maclean Country on BBC Ulster, a couple of weeks away piles up the listening.
Plus, following my retirement, I’ve become a gig addict, again catching up on all those I missed while working nights on newspapers. I was at Mary Gauthier/Jaimee Harris on the night of the show I’ve just listened to; it was simply fantastic and you must catch them someday. This week I was at Brandy Clark who was equally impressive and I’m bound for Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings tonight whom I’ve never seen before. Also have Emmylou Harris tickets and, as of this morning, Brandi Carlile for next October.
I’ve had a fantastic year of gigs, with other favourites having been Gretchen Peters, Blue Rose Code (in three different guises), The Pogues, Lisa O’Neill/Iona Zajac, Ye Vagabonds, Waxahatchee (Katie Crutchfield is sensational), Hurray for the Riff Raff (Alinda Segarra is also outstanding), Chuck Prophet, Amble, Dropkick Murphys, Becky Sikaza and Lizzie Reid. Several other crackers but that’s enough to be going on with.
Another artist whom I finally caught up with and aim to see again this December is Amy Speace who is playing in Stirling again. I don’t often leave Glasgow (there’s always plenty on here anyway) but she’s one I’ll push the boat out for. Think she’d make a super interview-type show on Another Country …