Big news here is the Commonwealth Games inspectors have come to Glasgow to see whether we’re the place to hold the Commonwealth games. I don’t really pay a lot of attention to athletics and that kind of thing but it would be great if the games came to Glasgow. It’s always fun when these things happen where you live.
People in Glasgow still talk about the night Eintracht Frankfurt played Real Madrid for one of the greatest European Cup finals of all time. I still regret not getting a ticket for Real’s last triumphant visit in 2002.
Apparently there are 5 inspectors in Glasgow over the next few days. I like the idea of that. Maybe it will be like school inspections where the “headie” always tries to give the best impression and third year Christmas leavers are mysteriously sent on an outdoor ed project. My favourite story concerned the mythological school inspector visiting a Glasgow secondary history class. He decides to take over the show from the class teacher to see how much the customers really know. “Who was responsible for starting the First World War?” he asks of Thomas in the front row. “Wusnae me,” says the boy. This is ridiculous says the inspector to the bystanding class teacher. “ I know” says the teacher, “But I can vouch for the boy. It definitely wasn’t him.”
Perhaps the Commonwealth Games inspectors will do a bit of random questioning of the citizens of Glasgow: “And you young man, are you interested in sport?” one will ask in perfect broken English. Standing in front of him will be a youth clad from head to toe in sports gear and as the inspector looks round the city he finds to his amazement many such youths. Little groups of sport-mad kids gathering on every street corner. Surely they will think – “Glasgow’s so desperate for these games they’re already stripped for action!” Hey – it’s a done deal…how can they refuse?
That’s not to say that the declared aims of these events tie in entirely with the expectations of the customers. A few years ago Glasgow tried to hold an annual arts festival called Mayfest. Plays, concerts and exhibitions were held across the city. I always remember my brother in law, John , mentioning that Mayfest was happening to someone we both met in an pub one night. Much to our surprise they declared themselves as 100% behind the arts festival. “I love it.” And which particular art form was it that swung it for them? They had no doubt, “Pubs are open till 2 in the morning.”
Looking forward to hearing from some of you bloggers live on the show tonight. The running order has just been mailed over to me …….there are going to be many beautiful moments in tonight’s show. My fingers are already getting itchy. See you at 10.30.
Following on from last night’s show and the chat about dogs barking on records… the only track i can think of off the top of my head that has dogs barking on it is “Good Morning, Good Morning” by the Beatles on Sgt. Pepper where legend has it that high frequency noises were added on the run out groove which would make dogs bark. John Lennon also barks away himself on the fade out towards the end of “Hey Bulldog”.
The eccentric Larry Norman also put out a limited edition version of “The Tune” where he stops a vocal take and begins talking to his dog Phydeaux (or Fido) who it emerges needs to go for a walk… and sure enough moments later we hear a door opening and the sound of traffic outside, the door closing and the instrumental track continuing all by itself. Larry named one of his record labels after Phydeaux and had a song on his “Something New Under The Son” LP which mentioned his bulldog barking…. “Larry Norman’s 97th Nightmare” which begins with a broken down start and studio laughter just like on “Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream” from “Bringing It All Back Home”… and speaking of Mr. Dylan doesn’t “One Too Many Mornings” from “The Times They Are A-Changin'” begin with the line “Outside the dogs are barking…”?
Who let the dogs out? Woof woof!
Just a couple to add in terms of dogs barking. Both sampled, so I don’t know if they count, but both “Suburbia” and “I Want a Dog” by Pet Shop Boys feature rather rhythmical canine contributions.
Widening that out to ambient sounds that contribute to the mood of a song, Martyn Joseph’s “Have an Angel Walk With Her” is my personal favourite of this ilk, where heavy rain falling on Martyn’s attic studio complements the mood of the song just perfectly.
Barking dogs….????????????Like the effect. Got a Christmas “record” vinyl……of dogs barking out all of the popular Christmas carols and tunes like White Christmas, I’ll Be Home For Christmas.
Right now I am wondering why?
it would be great for glasgow and scotland to be the host of the commonwealth games.
better still would it not be better if one day in the not so distant future it could host the olympics or the world cup.
to be seen as an individual nation and have the ability to be able to host a great event rather than it go once again to london.