Wednesday 23 November 2016

Hello Portsmouth

First off I am *delighted* that BBC Loops made a (very) short film about my next music project. Who cares if they can't spell "Macdonald". Feel free to share...


So. TFC's Winter tour of UK/Ireland kicked off in Inverness.

Nice to catch up with family and to see Julie Fowlis and Edwyn Collins - both on great form.

Amazing gaelic singer alert.
(Julie sang on my piece on "The Lost Songs Of St Kilda", of course.)

Then it was on to play for the good people of Whitley Bay (From Inverness to Whitley Bay - is that a Mark Knopfler lyric?), which reminds me; I am working on a new song to the tune of Charlie Pride's Crystal Chandeliers:
"Who leaves an overhead chandelier light on,At ten past twelve in Whitley Bay...?"
Might give Norman a co-writing credit.
The finest fish & chips in Whitley Bay
See?
Roker Beach where Lowry used to paint apparently.

Thence to Sheffield. Nice people. Fun show. Reassuringly adequate Wagamama.


In Manchester I paid a wee visit to the Lowry gallery.


A day off in Leeds = Nando's and Strictly.

Next day, a few hours before soundcheck, I took the train to the Salts Mill, Saltaire. Beautiful environment, Lots of David Hockney gubbins. I think my favourite part was the constantly changing display of iPhone/ipad drawings that he had sent to pals.

Get Well Soon Card
iPad pictures - the arrival of Spring 
'Tennis' was faxed to the gallery by David H in LA and pinned to the board one page at a time.
(He still never blinkin' wrote back about this but!)

Norwich rocked. Here is a sample of our post gig dressing room listening:


London rocked. We gave this song a bash for the first time:


Pam Hogg told me to "F*** off" in when I kidded her that her beautiful coat was a bit Showaddywaddy (ah, banter), and Harry Pye presented me with a new pair of socks.


Portsmouth tonight.

You can join my mailing list here.

Keep on dancing'...


Monday 14 November 2016

14th Of November Already

L-R: Stewart Webster (violin), Justine Watts (violin), Sharron Griffiths (harp), Emma Peebles (viola) and John Davidson (cello). Hamilton Mausoleum, 11th Nov 2016.

Last week I had an amazing couple of days rehearsing, then recording, new music with soloists from The Scottish Festival Orchestra in Hamilton Mausoleum, Lanarkshire. More about this project in good time. Hashtag excited.

Sad at the passing of both Leonard Cohen and Leon Russell. I always loved Willie Nelson singing "A Song For You".

"And when my life is over, remember when we were together,
We were alone and I was singing my song for you"...


I just read this. Hope I have time to visit Las Meninas next time I am in Madrid.

Vegetarians look away. I just made a thing with Italian sausage, frozen peas, garlic, onions, olive oil, dods of fromage frais and mascarpone, drop of milk, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and yon bowtie pasta. Yum. De nada.

As I type TFC hit the road again tomorrow(eek). First stop Inverness. All dates here.

Talking of gigs; some great footage of Bob in '66 here:





Wednesday 9 November 2016

Peter Capaldi For President

The wonderful Jackie Kay tweeted that her 86 year-old lifelong socialist mum said: 'don't let Trump spoil your birthday love he's not worth it'.

On Sunday I went to the BAFTA Scotland Awards. It was a great night and not just because Stephen Bennett's wonderful "Dunblane: Our Story" (for which I provided the music) won an award:


Me trying to steal Stephen's BAFTA before jumping in a taxi and cackling off into the night.

...but also because when I met Dr. Who and told him about my pal Gavin and his son Rob who are both huge fans, the following occurred:


I'm enjoying Transparent, looking forward to TFC's UK tour kicking off next week and preparing to do some interesting recording which I will prattle on about in due course....


This piano piece reminds me of TFC's recent US tour - I listened to it a few times as we drove between east coast cities, taking in the the colours of Autumn.


If you get the chance to see "Loving" I recommend you do.


Over and out.

Thursday 3 November 2016

It's November

Farewell, October.


The rest of TFC's US tour was FUN x 3.



Nice to meet Tom Strong artist Chris Sprouse in Cleveland.

...and to meet Kim Fowley's producer Matthew Smith in Detroit.

Sam Evian were great to tour with...



I didn't manage to visit Taco Bell and no one ever said, "You betcha", to me even once. But other than that America did not disappoint.

A set list
Beer
Leaves
Diner
Didn't taste this
Political activism in Madison, Wisconsin
Korean food in Madison, Wisconsin
High Noon Saloon
Some clown in our dressing room
Beer
State Capitol, Madison
We called by the old 'hood in Chicago for tacos - it was closed...
...this wasn't. (#yum)
Not Starbucks
An American tree
Another one
The best shrimp linguine in Ferndale, Michigan.
An LP I didn't buy
Add your own caption
Accidental photography
More American leaves
Nice sign.
Sam Evian
Pride of Brooklyn
Pride of Canada

Hallowe'en was fine - the scariest thing about it was my ukulele playing but let's not get into that.

I am looking forward to the BAFTA Scotland Awards this Sunday.

Erm, that's it.