RM Hubbert – Electric Circus, Edinburgh – 21 Nov 2016

Posted on November 21, 2016 by georgeglen

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Not someone I’ve follwed much over the years, but I’m glad I went along with Andy since I really enjoyed the show. ‘Hubby’ plays an unusual combination of flamenco ‘style’ guitar instrumentals and other sung heartfelt songs, not usually my cup of tea but he brings you along with the quality of his delivery and brilliantly funny banter in betwen songs. Rick Redbeard was also impressive, will see both again in future.

7.5/11 Attended by George & Andy

http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/rm-hubbert-electric-circus-edinburgh-21-nov

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Anaïs Mitchell – La Belle Angele, Edinburgh – 20 Nov 2016

Posted on November 20, 2016 by georgeglen

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I still can’t really get the right words to describe how much I love the wonderful music of Anaïs Mitchell. She is such a special artist and a complete inspiration to me, so to see her two nights in a row was a privelege.  And her set was just as amazing as yesterday with the same combination of setlist and audience requests in the middle. I wasn’t right down the front this time so I didn’t shout out, but when she answered a request to play ‘He Did’ I was made up because that was the one I wanted and we saw great performance of one of my favourite songs. (video below, thanks Graeme!)

Unfortunately, there is a but … I don’t think much of La Belle Angele as a venue (to put it politely) especially for solo acoustic acts. Visibility is poor due to pillars and there’s so much background noise from the bar and audience with hard wooden flooring and other surfaces. Very distracting and annoying.  So, Anaïs … superb, La Belle Angele … not so.

7.5/11 Attended by George & Karen

http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/anais-mitchell-la-belle-angele-20-nov

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Anaïs Mitchell – County Hotel, Selkirk – 19 Nov 2016

Posted on November 19, 2016 by georgeglen

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The last time I saw Anaïs was in Stirling and it was the best gig I saw in 2014 and her last album XOA was my favourite album of 2014. To make the effort to see her two nights running in Selkirk and Edinburgh was An easy decision for me!  The County Hotel in Selkirk is a great venue. A nice sized hall with good sound and a knowledgable and appreciative clientele. The String Jam Club has been going for nearly 20 years and to persuade a star like Anaïs to come there twice is impressive and an accolade to the organisers. The place was quite rightly full for a very special artist.

Anaïs played a lovely set covering all her albums and started and finished with Leonard Cohen songs in tribute to the great man and one of her favourites. In the middle of the set she made room for audience requests. I was lucky enough to be in the middle of the front row and when I shouted ‘Come September’ she said ‘for the guy in the front row. God, you guys are Old School!’ … such a delight to hear one of my favourites, the one I especially wanted to hear.

Anaïs was joined on stage for some songs by support artist Jarlath Henderson. He added nice harmony vocals and Low D whistle, particularly haunting and beautiful on ‘Wilderland/Young Man In America’. Stunning!  I loved the whole set and encores and she deserved her rapturous reception. I even got to chat at length to Anaïs and Jarlath afterwards and very friendly and gracious they were too. I think I floated all the way back to Edinburgh!

9/11 Attended by George

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Kristin Hersh – Summerhall, Edinburgh – 17 Nov 2016

Posted on November 17, 2016 by georgeglen

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I’m a massive Throwing Muses fan and I missed them last time they played in Scotland so it was ages since I last saw Kristen … this was a must see.  I made sure I arrived early and managed to blag a seat right in the middle of the front row. I thought that might be a bit scary, but she pretty much looked into the middle distance as she always does, so no uncomfortable eye contact!

This solo tour is in support of her new double CD and book, “Wyatt At The Coyote Palace” and she alternated songs from that and her catalogue with readings from the book. I’ve not read the book yet, but I love her writing especially her autobiographical work ‘Paradoxical Undressing’ an all time favourite. Her readings of selected passages were entertaining and compelling.

Her songs were what I came for though and she still has that fiery delivery, voice as strong as ever and some dextrous guitar work … a real treat. I’d forgotten just how good she is. Magic!

8/11 Attended by George, Andy A & Neil

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Brix & The Extricated – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – 31 Oct 2016

Posted on October 31, 2016 by georgeglen

 

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I was never a big fan of The Fall, but my friends were and I did prefer Brix era Fall and even Adult Net, so it was great to get to see her with a really good band including ex Fall members.

More of a shouter than a singer but she’s a great presence on stage and her loyal fans loved it all. Still got it!

7/11 Attended by George, Andy, Douglas & Neil

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She Drew The Gun – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – 28 Oct 2016

Posted on October 28, 2016 by georgeglen

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Another of those evenings at when I don’t know quite what to expect but come away wowed and delighted at striking lucky! Impressed by all 3 acts starting with I Am Pluto (Craig Finnie) whose songs I had just stumbled across on Soundcloud. Mamatung from Liverpool were also intriguing and original.

She Drew The Gun are led by singer/songwriter/poet Lou Roach whose politically charged lyrics and poems are for me a welcome and important sign of of the changing times. About time more people swapped the bland for the bold, if you are not angry, you are not paying attention! Musically inventive too, so the combination was genuinely moving and impressive. Brilliant.

8.5/11 Attended by George

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Bloom – Leith Depot, Edinburgh – 27 Oct 2016

Posted on October 27, 2016 by georgeglen

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I had been in touch with Lou Maclean and discovered a series of ‘Revolution Girl Style Now’ gigs at Leith Depot which really tickled me, that being the name given to the original Riot Grrrl gatherings. Seems Riot Grrrl is a thing again, and a very good thing too! 

4 acts on this bill, but stand-outs were headliners Bloom from Brighton with their nice poppy harmonies, and the best was Lou Maclean with her catchy melodies and clever lyrics.

6.5/11 Attended by George & Karen

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Fat Goth / Britney – Electric Circus, Edinburgh – 22 Oct 2016

Posted on October 22, 2016 by georgeglen

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A bill I couldn’t miss with 3 bands I wanted to see one after the other! I had wanted to catch first band Lords of Bastard for a while, not just because they’ve got the best band name since King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard, but they are a bit different. Their ‘Deep-Fried Psychedelic Rock’ also has subtle keyboard touches and great drumming. Cool!

Britney are new favourites of mine, I even wore my ‘so rare it’s extinct’ yellow ‘spider’ Britney t-shirt in their honour! They are unique and make a special kind of noise, lots of short frantic songs. Great set again, just not long enough, but maybe that’s part of the point? Magic.

Apart from opening with ‘No Feelings’ by the Sex Pistols, Fat Goth mainly played their forthcoming fourth album in its entirety. My initial impression was good, though for me, their later, more polished material hasn’t got the same quirky spark or originality as their wonderful 2nd album Stud. Still good, but again disappointed by low turn out, maybe Edinburgh doesn’t get it?

7/11 Attended by George

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Le Butcherettes – King Tut’s, Glasgow – 21 Oct 2016

Posted on October 21, 2016 by georgeglen

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Le Butcherettes are a ‘garage, punk’ band from Guadalajara, Mexico. Teri Gender Bender (Teresa Suarez) is the leader and star of the show and there’s not many performers around with the deranged moves and scary attitude she brings. Imagine a female Iggy Pop with a guitar, but not exposing themselves. I expected her energy and magnetism but was also impressed by so many tunes and her great accompanists, particularly Alejandra who is an incredible drummer, but also bassist Riki.

8/11 Attended by George and Karen

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Fishing on Skye With Dimitrios Chariskos – 14 October 2016

Posted on October 14, 2016 by georgeglen

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What an awesome day fishing on Skye with Dimitrios Chariskos! Lost count of Pollock to 4-5lb, Wrasse and Coalfish in wild and stunning surroundings. It was a pleasure and an education, learning about many lure fishing methods. I highly recommend Dimitrios guided fishing trips. see http://luremaniac.blogspot.co.uk/

http://luremaniac.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-good-days-guiding-on-skye.html

 

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