…I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings. (Robert Louis Stevenson – a fine writer and Scotsman to boot)
I’ve had a wonderful few weeks and I did mean to send everyone a postcard from Brighton….
That’s why, having spent a number of weeks on the road, I’ll be very happy to be land-locked in studio 6 on Friday night with a pile of new records to share with you. This Friday, my friend, there are no guests, no session versions, only great new records. And boy, do we have some great new music for you.
Here’s what we have lined up so far: New records from the fab Phosphorescent, Ruth Moody and Holly Williams. New discoveries….we hear from Daniel Meade for the first time. Daniel’s from Scotland and we’ll also share some great new records from fellow Scottish artists Woodenbox and Peter Roe. We’ll introduce you to Brazos and we’ll hear some great vintage recordings from Hank Thompson, The Carter Family and Tom T Hall. Does that whet your appetite enough?
As I mentioned earlier I’ve been on the road these last few weeks. I’ve been pleased to have My Darling Clementine as my special guests each night and Michael and Lou have given me a sneak listen to their new record. Tomorrow night I’ll be able to share some of that with you. The album comes out in september and I hope we can catch up with them for all their news later this year.
One of the loveliest things about my road trip was meeting people who listen to the AC. (not just in Scotland either). Here’s my fellow blogger Adam and me enjoying an after show beer in London at The Union Chapel. Adam it was great to put a face to such a loyal and articulate listener.
I’ve been nearly everywhere man…..so tomorrow night I’ll be back in the saddle again……. It’s being with Gregor Philp – I can’t stop punning. I’ll have stopped by tomorrow when the old valves will start to glow just on five past eight on BBC Radio Scotland. Do join me if you can.
Thanks for the shout-out, Ricky, and for sharing the photo—it was an absolute pleasure to meet you after a fantastic set. Great to have you back in the saddle, too, and I look forward to hearing some new music—always a highlight of The AC experience.
I’ve actually just this minute returned from seeing Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell at the Hammersmith Apollo—a sublime evening’s music with world-class musicians all round. “Back When We Were Beautiful” was one of those heart-stopping, misty-eyed moments that a live performance conjures at its very best, and was the highlight for me of a great evening’s music (nigh on three hours of it, barring a brief interval) that also took in some of Emmylou’s early collaborations with Gram Parsons, and even a Louvin Brothers cover, as well as much of “Old Yellow Moon” itself. All in all, a truly great evening of country music. (I commented to an American friend before heading out that I was donning a denim shirt for the occasion and—given his love for bowler hats—he observed that we had finally swapped ethnicities altogether! Under the circumstances, I took it as a compliment.)
I also have my next trip to Union Chapel lined up, to see none other than Patty Griffin in July. Both this evening and that upcoming one speak to the joy of The AC for me—discovering great music, both new and old. Thanks, as always—and to Richard, too, of course!—for the ongoing education, and inspiration.
(Incidentally, you asked me briefly about my writing. If you’re at all interested in learning more, then if you check the link with my name above here it *should* take you to my webpage, with a few more details. You’ll see I even borrowed a song title for one work!)
Great stuff…and good to see the face of your loyal listener! Adams contributions on your blog always very worthwhile to read!
Of course I’m but one of any number of loyal listeners, Norrie—including your good self! Good to see you back here amongst the comments, and do come back again soon!