James Grant - News 4 . 3 . 10 Once again, apologies for not doing this more often.. New website still in development, be ready soon as will new video/ films.. Lots of gigs about to start, see listings for details - hope to see you there. In addition to the gigs I've already posted there are 3 nights at The Recital Rooms in Glasgows City Hall in June. The evenings will be as follows; 17th June    UNDER A BLAG FLAG An evening of James' music, chosen by you. Log in to james-grant.com or myspace.com/jamesgrant99 and tell him what you want to hear.. The most popular choices will be played on the night. 18th June   THRAWN AND AWRY James performs with some old friends and long term collaborators. 19th June BLEEDING HEARTS AND BLAZING STARS An evening of covers and nostalgia, featuring very special guests. There will be an acoustic Friends Again reunion at this show.     Happy new year to you all. I hope it's a good one. I'm looking forward to the gigs I've got coming up and hope to announce a few more as we go along. I should mention though, that unfortunately I can't do the Borderline gig as a full band show anymore due to the rescheduling of the gig and other musicians commitments there will probably only be three of us.. If anyone who has bought a ticket is aghast and/or disgusted at this information, I can only apologise, but I'm sure refunds will be available. If you're ok with it, I'll see you there. The website/songbook is almost ready, know have heard me say this for a while now and it seems like just another empty promise, but ah'm no joking, it's pure imminent so it is. I don't do guitar tabs by the way, just chords...tabs are beyond anorak and into bri nylon territory...but.. I had mentioned a few years back that I might do a guitar/songs day for those of you who would be interested in learning how to play them, this is something I might look at this year if there are enough of you interested. The plan would maybe be to do a couple in Scotland and a couple in England. If this idea floats your boat let me know, it's not something I could do till later in the year but with many of us now in mid life crisis territory and beyond, think of it as a cheaper option than buying a Harley. Fun, informative and a good way to meet other guitar nerds and learn how to play some miserable songs, correctly..or incur verbal abuse for not doing so. I'm really selling this thing good, eh? 16 . 12 . 09 I'd like to thank all of you who came to the shows, I enjoyed them all, playing to you and meeting some of you..I'm still in the process of revamping things website-wise, it will be a little while yet, as I'm relying on favours from friends rather than coming across with cash for product, so I ask once again for your patience.. I will be doing an acoustic tour in March/April and will post these dates by the end of the week, (I promise)and I hope to get back out with the band come Autumn. There has, for one reason or another, been something of an upsurge of interest in my gigs..I can only say thank you for your support. I truly appreciate it. I realise that some of you out there are a tad pissed off that I don't spend more time online logging shit like reviews etc. and urghh..'blogging', but if you don't know me by now..I spend enough time online for me, I've been really busy of late and thats been brilliant but unfortunately it cuts down on time for doing stuff like sitting here now telling you what I'm up to. I know that an 'online presence' is vital in these troubled times for the business that we call 'show', I will try and find more time to keep you updated, thats all I can say, although it doesn't sit easy with me. I would just add that, in my opinion, the music should be enough, that is, after all what it has always been about and always will be. I will be featuring the chords and words to all my music from Love And Money onwards...its perhaps vanity, or just age, but I like the idea of people playing my songs and I want to make it easier for them to do so. To all of you who have supported me, please keep the faith and have a great Christmas and New Year. I'll see you next year. The Borderline date has been rescheduled for Friday 19th February. Anyone requiring a refund has been advised to contact their point of purchase, otherwise tickets will be valid for the 19th. Any problems with this, please contact me at info@james-grant.com and I'll try and sort it. Once again, I'm gutted I couldn't make it and I'm sorry for any hassle.. Borderline show I'm so sorry, but I'm having to cancel this gig.. I hate doing this so late, but I was hoping I'd be better for this show and I'm not. I don't want to just get through it and in fact I'd be struggling to do just that.. Hopefully, I can reschedule for next year. I know a lot of you had probably made arrangements, booked hotels etc. I can only offer my sincerest apologies and thank you for your support.. James          Dukes Corner I'm really sorry I had to cancel this gig..I'm not very well and my voice has gone, hopefully I'll make it back up soon. Apologies to all who travelled for this show.. I will be playing Dukes Corner in Dundee on 26th November with my full band. Tickets £8 from tickets-scotland.com. The new website will be coming soon.. On the Billy Sloan show tonight, Radio Clyde 7 - 9 o'clock. 7 . 10 . 09 I'll be playing a solo acoustic gig at Long Gallery, Abbot House, Dunfermline.   Time: Thursday 29th October. 8:00pm (doors open 7:00pm).   Tickets: £12. Available from Abbot House on 01383 733266, or from sponsors Third Base Records on 01383 722554. 14 . 9 . 09 Thank you to all of you who came along to the Oran Mor gig, I can't wait till the next one..your support means a lot to me. I'll be live on the Bob Harris show on Saturday the 26th at midnight, Bob is a great guy with an incredible knowledge of music so I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be playing a few tunes and picking some of my favourite tracks. I'm currently in the process of updating my website, this will include all the chords to all of the songs..if theres anything else you particularly want or think would be useful, let me know. Thank you again.. 10 . 9 . 09         Oran Mor Saturday Please try and get there early, I know doors are 8, but curfew is 10.15, so I'm gonna start early, no support. Let your friends know.. Thank you and see you Saturday.. The Queens Hall concert in Edinburgh is now on 10th December, I will also be playing the Ironworks in Inverness on the 9th December. Both gigs with band. 1 . 8 . 09 Thank you to all who came to Stockton( The Georgian Theatre, according to the soundman is the gigging equivalent of a bastard ginger child that nobody loves, so I think its fitting that I played there and you came to listen..I am the turn at the leper colony, Live! on anthrax island), it was good to catch up with old friends.. I was in the pub next door to the gig and everyone in it was completely hammered, ranting and swearing at high volume, I felt fantastically effete, it was truly a home from home. I was watching the Late Review last night and they were talking about one of my favourite books this year, Me Cheetah! by James Lever. The woman on the panel didn't like it, thought it was dumb and misogynistic, but clearly she just didn't get it, all the men on the panel loved it, don't know what this says, but I loved it too. Its a scurrilous romp through Hollywood in the 30s/40s and beyond written from the point of view of Tarzan's sidekick, Cheetah. The dead can't sue, otherwise it would not have been published. Very funny and strangely touching too. I also loved The White Tiger, the Booker winner, I'm usually put off anything that wins the Booker by the pseudery that accompanies it, but I generally relent and read them later. Its not what I was expecting, its brilliantly savage and witty. Don't know why I'm telling you about my favourite books - not much happening otherwise I suppose, its a shit time to be a musician, I could drone on and on about this, yearning for the Golden Age of the 80s and weeping into my shandy, but I was one of the lucky ones.. My optimism for the new record has almost evaporated, although I still love it and can't wait to do the band gigs later in the year. Bear in mind that it may be the last time you see me with a band for a while, unless you live in Scotland, or more specifically, Glasgow, so please, do come along. Check out The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Gargoyle for holiday reads. I also reread Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban, one of my favourites, you should read it.. 24 . 7 . 09 I should tell you about some other gigs I have, I've put them in the gig section of myspace and my website. 30 Jul 2009 The Georgian Theatre, Stockton(solo acoustic show) 12 Sep 2009 Oran Mor, Glasgow 27 Nov 2009 The Queens Hall, Edinburgh 28 Nov 2009 SECC, Glasgow( this is the Homecoming concert, I'm not sure about any of the details as yet, but I'm doing a 10 minute acoustic spot..) 2 Dec 2009 The Borderline, London All gigs are with full band unless stated otherwise; Donald Shaw(keyboards), Ewen Vernal(bass), Che Beresford(drums) and Gordon Goudie(guitars) There are a few others yet to be confirmed around the same time, I'll let you know as soon as they are. See you in Stockton next week, looking forward to it.. 'll be playing the Oran Mor in Glasgow on the 12th of September, this will be a full band gig and tickets will probably go on sale soon. There will be other dates in October, which as soon as I know for sure, I will give details of. And I'm doing an acoustic stint at the Homecoming concert at the SECC. Also, I have a Bob Harris BBC session late September. Other than that, not that much happening..I sent an email to every venue that was suggested to me by all of you (about 50 venues)and I have to say, the response was fairly bleak and I say this as someone who reads Edgar Allen Poe for light relief. The 5 or 6 that bothered to respond said that they weren't interested. There have been good reviews for Strange Flowers generally, but specifically in Mojo, Uncut and Q, where its pretty hard to even get reviewed, so I'm grateful. I should probably have posted these, but frankly I couldn't be arsed and anyway, most of you who actually read what I write here would know this. If not, join the forum on my website, you get to discuss other shit like Celtic and how magnificent The Blue Nile are. Also, I just presented a programme for Celtic TV on the songs of Celtic, but due to the Setanta situation going tits skyward and most probably my involvement in general in that everything I touch seems to turn to shite, no-one will probably ever see it again. I say 'again' because all three episodes were on last Friday...I know, I shoulda told ya, but do any of you watch Celtic TV? You all do? Shit. When I came into the studio there was a table with 'Glasgow Rangers' on it and a couple of blue stools(seats).. 'You're having a laugh.' says I. The guys went and got a couple of green stools and a Celtic table out of the cupboard, they share the studio with Rangers TV, you see. We shot against the green wall as opposed to the blue one.. If they ever fuck up there would undoubtedly be mass hysteria. Welcome to Glasgow Tony.. I also wrote a song for Channel 4s three minute wonder season ; God's Laboratory Outside God's laboratory The angels were banging on the door When out flew the devil On a unicorn, chased by a manticore It seems while God was sleeping After he, the universe aligned In crept the devil And it was he who made mankind The stars, the stars were keening The oceans were afraid That day in God's laboratory The day that you and I were made In God's laboratory He sketched the Ten Commandments in a rage But afterwards he felt the words.. Well, they looked a little dead upon the page 'Bring me that turncoat swine Who stole what was rightfully mine And made devilish That which should have been divine..' The stars, the stars were keening The oceans were afraid That day in God's laboratory The day that you and I were made.. I should probably give it away as an mp3 or something but I like the idea of it being rare and hard to get...I am shit at selling myself I know, although I feel that I've been auctioning myself off gradually over the last couple of years and I'm just about down to my arse. In todays market I can't reasonably expect much for that, maybe a bowl of soup? 12. 5. 09 Spent yesterday emailing various venues all over the UK. I get a lot of emails about touring, coming to play in your home town etc. I have tried this before..I'm not expecting much back, but who knows..? You can help. If you know of a venue near you and you think its worth a shout, then pass me the link and I'll email them. If you think you can drum up any sort of crowd then mores the better. If it was up to me, I'd be playing every weekend as its what I love doing. But I should add, that if its in Sussex, for example and I am offered two hundred quid, it aint gonna happen, because it would cost me money to do it. This is mainly, still, how I make my living. I'm not going to be unrealistic, but it still has to be worth my while Much has been said about my teaching post at the RSAMD and as much as I do love it, its only an hour a week.. I have tried various agents to see if they are interested in taking me on their books, but no go. This includes all the main Scottish agents btw, also I've tried to research a bit, looking at guys in a similar boat, like Boo Hewerdine, contacting his agent, among others. Nada. I think there are a lot of musicians in the same boat, I'm not dismayed, I'll go down fighting and I have a few ideas up my sleeve yet. I have a decent following in Scotland and the north of England, maybe the new record will consolidate this. I think that some of you may think I'm lazy in this respect, hence the explanation. It's not for want of trying. 11. 5. 09 Thanks to all who came to The Fox And Hounds in Houston. As I said at the show, in an extraordinary display of absent mindedness and stupidity(see the word; glaicit), I drove to the wrong venue(The Howwood Inn in Howwood)and informed the staff that I was playing there tonight - to their bafflement, I even spoke to the manager until the penny finally dropped and I realised that yet again I'd been a complete and utter useless prick. I enjoyed the show, a few people were talking during the songs and this annoyed me, I don't understand this, it just seems inappropriate and rude and when its right in front of me I would like to machete them. Nevertheless, it was a good gig and I'd like to thank Jonathan for organising it and not gloating too much on the days result which was undoubtedly a factor in my disorientation. The albums official release is soon, I know that many of those who read this will already have it...I'm not expecting a fanfare or dancing in the streets, in fact I'm not expecting anything really. Be good if somehow it got me more gigs, we shall see.. 3 . 4 . 09 Any of you who are swithering over whether to bite the bullet and actually buy Strange Flowers have only a couple of days left to purchase it. It will then be unavailable until June, which is now(definitely) the official release date. ...I know, I know The address once again is www.verticalrecords.co.uk. You have been warned. I was at the David Byrne gig the other night, I was so into the Talking Heads, especially Fear Of Music, Remain In Light and the David Byrne/Brian Eno classic My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts. The gig was immense, if you get a chance, you should go. Seriously. Checked out some of your playlists, I am impressed, know that sounds a tad patronising but you never know what to expect really. A similar thing appeared on the Capercaillie website and The Lady In Red, All Around My Hat and Moonlight Shadow made a few appearances.. Heres another quick ten, I love doing this shit.. Strawberry Letter 23   Shuggie Otis The Look Of Love   Dusty Springfield Girl From Ipanema Astrud Gilberto Medicine And Magazines    Low Trees And Flowers    Strawberry Switchblade The Concept       Teenage Fanclub Freddies Dead    Curtis Mayfield Sugar Sugar       The Archies Where Its At       Beck I Zimbra            The Talking Heads Emoticons. I'm not saying you are a complete prick if you use them, no, that would be taking it too far. But the thing is, I love words. And words are, or should be, enough. I read an essay once about poetry, think it was by George MacBeth, he said that you should taste the words in your mouth..this makes sense to me, this is the way I feel about words. I don't even particularly like exclamation marks - too exuberant - trying too hard. Sometimes I will admit, they are necessary and they add something, very occasionally(see later). But emoticons add nothing, they subtract. Hey, look at me! I'm grinning right now from ear to ear! Or, frankly, I'm baffled! Or, I've got a six foot spike up my arse! Raymond Carver - now there was a writer, a man who knew. The characters in his stories - these are people who don't even need a comma for fucksake. If you choose to communicate with me directly, please do not use emoticons, the very word itself is offensive to me and should not rightfully exist and if I see one on an email it will be trashed without mercy. And if you are wondering why there is an emoticon at the top of my myspace page its because I haven't figured out yet how to turn the fuck off. 25 . 3 . 09 Ephram Caprine(aka Laughing Crow) was part of the early Chicago Blues scene in the 1950s, he played alongside legends such as Magic Slim and Buddy Guy in south side clubs like The Checkerboard Lounge, Theresas and the 708 Club. It was in the 708 he first met Marion James, a 19 year old mulatto from DesMoines. They had a very brief and tempestuous courtship(within 2 weeks of meeting they were married). Two days after the wedding, Marion James was found strangled, face down in her trousseau in a hotel room in Waterloo, Monroe County. No murder weapon was found at the scene, but she had been killed with some sort of wire. Detectives found Caprine on stage in a bar called Honeys in Chicago and arrested him for murder. It was later discovered that the murder weapon was in fact a guitar string and that he had been playing on it when they found him. He was executed on the 3rd of December 1959.          a very eclectic playlist 24 . 3 . 09 Was asked to compile a 20 song playlist for something, here it is, you can play too if you want.. Song Of Love Manassas Don't Make Promises Tim Hardin The Lights Of Cincinnati Scott Walker My Moon My Man Feist Teardrops Womack and Womack I Just Wanna See His Face The Stones Season Of The Witch Donovan Five String Serenade Mazzy Star For Beginners M Ward The Message Grandmaster Flash Down By The Seaside Led Zeppelin Mykonos Fleet Foxes Midnight In A Perfect World DJ Shadow Diamonds Are Forever Shirley Bassey Shoot You Down The Stone Roses Cold Sweat James Brown Lie To Me Tom Waits You Never Can Tell Chuck Berry I've Got Blood In My Eyes For You Mississipi Sheiks Song To The Siren Cocteau Twins 24 . 3 . 09 Here is a link to a competition where you get to win a Strange Flowers t-shirt; http://www.nonlineagency.com/influences/james-grant/ All you have to do is say what you think is the best Scottish album of all time.. 22 . 3 . 09 Thanks for all your support, I appreciate the emails you have sent me and comments on myspace etc. I should point out though that I am not unaware of my abilities and I am not such a tinderbox with regard to my music as perhaps sometimes comes across in my posts. Its just that I have a pathetic insatiable need to be adored. 20 . 3 . 09 Nothing much happening. Was at a funeral this morning and feel out of sync. Ennui brings doubt and doubt brings worry and before you know it.. Its funny, when I finish a record I tend to give all my friends a copy, not one of them has said anything about it. This could mean a variety of things: (a) Perhaps its so blisteringly fucking obvious that its good and I shouldn't need any one to confirm this. (b) They don't like it but wouldn't want to hurt my feelings. (c) Ambivalence; they sit through my concerts often enough, why should they have to listen to my records all the time too, haven't they done enough for me over the years? Its just music after all, so why the big b-b-b-brouhaha?(d)The Cds I gave them are defective. (e)They are unsure, they are waiting to see what everyone else thinks, once they read a couple of reviews, they'll tell me they think its the best thing I've ever done. (f) They are not really friends, more associates who you find yourself sitting across the dinner table from, wondering what the fuck you are doing here, who are these people and what the fuck are they talking about but you persevere for the sake of the kids, mistakenly inflicting on them your warped determination that they have the social mobility you never had.(f) I wish I could tell you the dates of my world tour, some dates are being planned for around the official release and I have a couple of acoustic dates one of which is at The Fox And Hounds in Houston, Glasgow on the 9th of May. 5 . 5 . 09 Strange. Was going up to my Dads in Castlemilk, he lives just up the road from where we used to live, on the same street in fact. I always have to drive past the old house, close number 10 and I guess theres always a nod, some innate sense of having lived so long there, some inner resonance. I knew they were coming down, thats why my old man had to move out, but when I drove up yesterday it was gone. I could see the ripped side of one of my old mates house I used to play in at the bottom of the street, half of the kitchen exposed, unbelievably, a packet of Frosties still sitting on the top shelf alongside the peeling formica. I did an article a few years ago for the Sunday Times just after my Mum died, it was called, 'Where I used to Live' or somesuch. We got permission to go into the old house and take a couple of photos. My Dad was never a great one for the decorating, the kitchen was basically the same as when we moved in. In the article I told a story, about how one Christmas day I'd gone off to play in my new Man Utd. strip(I wasnt allowed a Celtic strip - made you a target) and I'd come back absolutely caked in muck. My Mum was watching Holiday on Ice and was raging at me, she made me strip and stand up in the sink in the kitchen(I should point out that I would have been about 9 at the time). While I was getting scrubbed I stuck my finger into the polystyrene tiles overhead and made a pretty little pattern..of course this sent my mother apoplectic. Anyway, the point is, the evidence of my devilment(Mums phrase)was still there and I was happy to see it, the photographer took a photo and that was that. Only its not there now. Kinda sad. 27 . 2 . 09 Feel I should add that the official release date has been put back so we can work press/radio properly. We are now looking at early May. Trust me, this is a good thing. Also, it may be of interest to note that the film/screenplay that I wrote Strange Flowers for,( I have disdainfully called it a Swedish vampire flick much to my friends chagrin, but fuck man, thats what it is...all right there might be a bit more to it than that, but..)may now be happening. Will keep you posted. Are there an inordinate number of beautiful people in Stockholm? I think so. Felt like a total Baskerville when I was there. 27 . 2 . 09 This post is for guitar nerds only, it refers to tunings for Strange Flowers and will be of absolutely no interest to the layperson. Tunings for each song : This Could Be The Day ; D A C G C E Darkstar, The Hallowing Touch, Scarecrow Song ;   D A F sharp(low)D A D Strange Flowers, Is This The Kiss   ;   D A C F G C My Fathers Coat, The Bay.. : C G Eb F G D Cant Beat The Music ; regular Lake Louise ; D A E Fsharp A D Enjoy. 10 . 2 . 09                                                       Been busy signing records and posting t-shirts. This mercantile life does not sit easily with me, I apologise for my slickness in having a paypal account and requesting invoices etc...'..While you're at it would you like a pair of tights for the missus, only £1.99..?' You should get your goods this week. I might add that you cannot purchase the record directly from me, the address once more(feel like Hughie Green here)Tyne Tees,Teddington Lock, Middlesex...verticalrecords.co.uk Billy Sloan has been playing tracks on Radio Clyde on Sunday nights, its a good show, check it out. Thanks for all your emails about the gig.. I now need that mysterious alchemy to occur when someone actually buys the record..I'm not talking about the diehards(you know who you are). It seems almost like a marriage proposal, the last step in a complicated courtship, a long term commitment for some folks to spend that hard earned cash on a CD. I know there are a lot of people who quite like me but are not convinced that I am absolutely their cup of tea, obviously, bludgeoning their ears with constant radio play would help the situation but I sometimes wonder what I have to do to convince them. Its a difficult time for music, to get people to listen, I mean really listen. I know it sounds stupid, but I make music for people who like listening to music, who can have a continuing relationship with a record, find something new every time they listen, yes, like Shrek, I have layers. We have other things in common but that would be stating the obvious. I know that so many of you diehards have been evangelising on my behalf for years and I truly appreciate it, I have made you fishers of men etc. I should mention that on the off chance that you don't actually like Strange Flowers, could you just shut the fuck up and point them in the direction of my massive back catalogue. The photo on my myspace page now is of the cover, the t-shirt is a slight variation on this..I only mention because many of you have asked. 4 . 2 . 09 It wont hit the shops till March but Strange Flowers should be available from verticalrecords.co.uk on Friday 6th February. I believe there is a comment box on the website when you order, if you would like a signed copy please say. I also have a limited run of Strange Flowers t-shirts available in black or white, large or x-large price 15GBP inc. p+p; contact me directly at info@james-grant.com. The interest in the record has been heartening and the reaction so far has been extremely positive. I had a gas at the ABC last week, it was great playing with a band once more and I can't wait to do it again, I know that this largely depends on other things, circumstances etc. but I'm determined to make it happen. I loved Celtic Connections, I was involved in a few shows, most notably the Auld Lang Syne Burns show at the Concert Hall that was filmed by the BBC, again, it was a great night and the crowd seemed right up for it. Thank you all for your emails and support in general. I might add that I think it may be the first time in the history of popular music that the words furbelow, liminal and sarcophagus have been utilised. Dont know why this should tickle me, but it does..some swot will undoubtedly shatter my illusions at some point. Strange Flowers This Could Be The Day Hey, this could be the day You break the cycle of doubt and fear And take control of your life Leave behind your squalid tears Over the cranes and steeples All the cars and people See the sun Light up the way All your wasted feelings They have no meaning I believe this could be the day If you could see.. Why must it be.. You stretch to reach so far beneath you? Useless things fill the hole in your life Feed your weakness Throw them away Over the cranes and steeples All the cars and people See the sun Blind to the fray All your wasted feelings They have no meaning I believe this could be the day How many times have I said these things Never really meant them Tried to let faith foment them But I swear somehow I’ll find a way Finally Over the cranes and steeples All the cars and people See the sun Light on the way All your wasted feelings They have no meaning I believe this could be the day Darkstar I would take the weight, all the freight of the fate that lays upon you I would exorcise all the cries of the ghosts that play on you I’d love to set you free if I could Tie you to a tree in the holy wood Swim the deepest part of the dark star of your heart We’re just on the cusp of something good I would lie beside you at night be it saffron or sulphur I would stem the tide of the dark wave you ride , shoot the vultures Mea culpa I’d love to set you free if I could Tie you to a tree in the holy wood Swim the deepest part of the dark star of your heart We’re just on the cusp of something good They say youre burning up your time You fly your kite too near the power lines Its just what you have to do In your mouth brimstone and lime Your soul dangles on the devils' tines And I'm tangled there with you Please let me explain ; I’m not vain enough to think that I can save you Or that you need to be saved , or tamed or trained, I just crave you I’d love to set you free if I could Tie you to a tree in the holy wood Swim the deepest part of the dark star of your heart We’re just on the cusp of something good Strange Flowers There is a slough where buds grow In murmering shadows of a neverland Where lilies and roses in their furbelows Scream like harlots and harridans They bloom in the darkness Strange flowers The dissolute cry of a nightjar Over the quiet revolution All of the bleeding hearts and blazing stars This day will see a new dawn They bloom in the darkness Strange flowers 'We are the weeds in your dreams We are the seeds of your despair Come the gun of the morning We disappear into the fetid air' They bloom in the darkness Strange flowers The Hallowing Touch These streets are strange Like ome cradlesong.. I cant recall and yet I’ve known it all along I held the hand that I wanted to crush Now I understand to live for the rush O The Hallowing Touch Hauling me up Touching the part of me thats God In thrall again Times I felt, would I be missed? But I never had the faith to be an atheist Upon my lips the dawn did break I gave everything that I would take O The Hallowing Touch Hauling me up Touching the part of me thats God In thrall again All the dirt And the dead sex All the pain and the emptiness I put to the flame Swept away I just say my mantra - her name It burns without, it burns within Brighter than the sun Darker than the lure of sin O The Hallowing Touch Hauling me up Touching the part of me thats God In thrall again My Father's Coat Someone had drawn a swastika on his stone I stood in the rain/radiation I heard a feral moan I thought must be a fox But on the way back to the bus I saw two drunk goths fucking on a sarcophagus Broken things Bum notes Walking home in my fathers coat The day had started well, I got up at twelve And I felt like making money Ah, but and heres the rub; From the bookies to the pub In a stall in the marketsquare I saw his old threadbare mohair And I choked out the oath in my throat Stood staring at my fathers coat Above the specs and the hearing aids Old porn and razor blades A ghost hanging over the detritus of a nation I felt the freight of the past Rise up and hit me The woman said, "Try it on." I said, "Its alright, I'll take it I know that it fits me." She said, "Son, whatever floats your boat.." I walked away in my fathers coat The one thing that he taught me I confess ; Acquiesce Acquiesce Acquiesce What a day What a day But a day like any other I thought I'd seen the back of him And I smell like some bad joke That the rains invoked Some wall-eyed dream of brilliantine and whisky and nicotine In the culverts and the crags run both The disease and the antidote As I turn the key in my fathers coat The Bay At The Nape Of Your Neck Never gave me cause to doubt you, but doubt you I did All the feelings I had for you, I kept them hid Everything you'd say, I'd catch and weigh, I could not see.. For a long time life was leaking out of me But I found happiness Upon me as I lay in the bay at the nape of your neck The thought of life without you.. I kick out my mind all the reasons that I gave you To leave me behind Why you should suffer me, my casual cruelty, I'll never know But my abiding angel, I love you so I found happiness Upon me as I lay in the bay at the nape of your neck I made a nest of my fears.. From my fears, now I am free The dunes of your body Your pagan grace You succour me I found happiness Found the break of day in the bay at the nape of your neck Lake Louise We stood watching all the skaters skating On the shores of Lake Louise I took my knife and I carved our names on a eucalyptus tree You were bonny as a musk rose In my eyes like the sea Always on the cusp of a promise Oh you made me feel so free I used to dream that I was falling through the clouds with you I used to dream September skies reflecting in your eyes On the banks of Lake Louise Your hair black as a carrion crow in your Prussian blue chemise I kept praying, if you ever found a thing worth hating.. What did I see, sublimation, premonition, stream of memory? I used to dream that I was falling through the clouds with you I used to dream Dream Dream Dream You smiled, then you swung and hit me Oh-oh, I can still feel it sting Then you threw our wedding ring into Lake Louise I used to dream that I was falling through the clouds with you I used to dream Dream Dream Dream Is This The Kiss Is this the kiss To raise the stakes A kiss to leave The future in its wake Do I feel the sky fall into me Hear the echoes of eternity Is this the kiss like no other before To tender Surrender And pray for more Do I feel the sky fall into me? Hear the echoes of eternity You placed your kiss upon my lips And cast adrift a thousand ships Do I feel the sky fall into me? Hear the echoes of eternity Yes Oh yes Oh yes Yes Can't Beat The Music Fell into this world in debt and shame And when I leave it will be the same All my days I’ve been plagued By those who try in sleek and subtle ways Sleek and subtle ways Ah, but let me say ; You can't beat the music Never beat the music Can't beat the music Out of me I kicked against the pricks Chased my tail My preoccupation Note #3 in the scale I’ve been a slave, a slave of a kind But freedom is a state of mind Its a state of mind And I think you’ll find ; You can't beat the music Never beat the music Can't beat the music Out of me People they say to me DIdnt you used to be somebody ? My heads’ a sulphur mine My heart is a boulder I was born with a chip on my shoulder Like the devil before me My pitch was queered Except that I was’nt pushed, I jumped Took the plunge and plumped For a solo career You can't beat the music Never beat the music Can't beat the music Out of me Scarecrow Song O boys, what will we do now the war is over? All the doors are closed theres no place to go for an old soldier Come, come, give the devil his due, he could tell a lie But he can't take away what the Lord gave you and I Gin from the junipers Whisky from the rye Beer from the barley And the blood of the vine The blind wind blows a lullaby We dont need no holy water We are made of broken things, but we will rise again A crowns' a yoke Gimme a drink and a smoke And some tales of the old campaigns Gin from the junipers Whisky from the rye Beer from the barley And the blood of the vine The blind wind blows a lullaby We dont need no holy water We stand against the Gods, we will be free Sing, sing, God save the King! We shall have our victory... O boys, where have you gone? When I find ya , I’ll shoot ya.. Cowards Thieves Mercinaries VIVA LA LUCA! Gin from the junipers Whisky from the rye Beer from the barley And the blood of the vine The blind wind blows a lullaby We dont need no holy water So will I follow you Cross some liminal plain The pharoes and their acolytes To see you again? Reeds of vetiver and Queen Annes' lace Rise to frame your name Ave Catherine Burns 5 . 12 . 08 Trying very hard to finish the new record(l like this term although its practically obsolete in that it suggests a document, a marking of time, where I'm at right now etc. blah) for January. I will be playing the ABC as some of you may know ; my band will be Donald Shaw; keyboards, Ewen Vernal; bass, Che Beresford; drums, Gordon Goudie; guitars, Fraser Spiers;harmonica and Monica Queen; backing vocals. I will be featuring Strange Flowers and some of my old favourites/dirges/desperate attempts to endear myself to people. I'll do the odd Love And Money song but you know the sketch...nostalgia is not my thing, when I have nothing more to add to my canon, when I have reached my zenith, when I have in effect, given up...I'm still not going to go there, so if thats what you're waiting for; funk off. I'll also be playing in the Apple Store in Buchanan Street in Glasgow around the time of the gig, I'll keep you posted on that. I am very happy with Strange Flowers, I am not able to be objective, this will not happen for some time, but I will say that of all my solo albums, it is my most upbeat. I'm not sure whether many of you will view this as good news or bad, you'll just have to listen. I could play you snippets, rough mixes, previews of tracks, but once again, this is not my thang. I know why people do it, but I dont like it, I prefer to finish what I started, I require no opinions, I trust myself and those I work with implicitly. I feel GOOD about it, what can I say? If you dont feel like this, if you dont have that sense of being on the cusp of something..(naive, I know, but still)...whats the point ? Yes, I'm 45, an anachronism, old and ugly, out of touch, but I feel lucky and although it may not be for very long...I'M BACK. 22 . 10 . 08 I know its been a while but I've been busy. Firstly, I'd like to thank those of you who came to the gig in Frome, I know some of you had travelled from afar, I truly appreciate your support. It was a really good night, I'd especially like to thank John Richards for organising the gig and for looking after me so well. Also, for those of you who have come to any of the gigs I've been doing with Karen, thanks again, the tour has been going really well. In Bury, Morecambe and Gateshead at the weekend if any of you fancy it.. To those of you who have arranged home concerts, I am startled and humbled by your goodwill and faith. I know this may seem unusually and superabundantly benevolent of me, but I cant help it...goodwill towards all men etc. etc. blah.. The next record will be called Strange Flowers. The title track is a song I wrote for an abandoned Swedish vampire flick. Yes. Once again the Jonah effect kicks in, it was all going fine until Sven(sic) asked me to write a song for it.The song itself is not specifically about vampires, but it could be, it comes with the built in ambiguity prevalent in so many of my songs wherein the words can be interpreted by all and sundry to apply to something relevant in their own lives, all things to all men or indeed, nothing to no-one. Apart from that its a really good tune. I am playing the Georgian theatre in Stockton again on the 13th of December, I'll be there with Fraser Spiers, Donald Shaw and hopefully Ewen Vernal. I am also playing at Celtic Connections on the 29th of January with a full band (those above plus drums, electric guitar etc.)and will be premiering a lot of the new stuff that will hopefully be available for purchase along with a completely whole new range of quality merchandising ( incontinence pants, hymn books, FAILURE - the scent of the new millennium)on or around the date. Basically it will be like LIDL wherein you go for your veg and come back with a deep sea diving suit and a laser patio cleaner. After that, world domination or complete obscurity..or the status quo. I have also been employed as a lecturer in songwriting at the RSAMD in Glasgow. God help his students, I hear you say and perhaps you'd be right, but I'm really enjoying it nevertheless.. This time of year(see other diary entries) is usually when I am at my most miserable, but this year its been really good and I feel really positive about the new stuff. Basically, its good to be working. Keep the faith. 18 . 8 . 08 Throughout September www.getreadytorockradio.com are planning to spotlight my music . If you listen in during the afternoon sequence 2 - 4 o'clock you will hear either my music, various things I have written or music I have selected for the playlist. Also, on Sunday the 6th between 5 and 6 o'clock an interview and several unreleased tracks/works in progress will be broadcast. 11 . 08 . 08 Thank you to all of you who came to the Stockton show, I enjoyed the gig, I know some of you had travelled a long way, I appreciate your support. The new album is sounding good, doing another drum session this week, there aint really much to say other than that its been a quiet time. Dinnae want to sound too maudlin about it so best that I shut the fuck up now. Been to a few shows over the summer, most notably Tom Waits and Radiohead. Both were brilliant. I was backstage at the Radiohead show and I met Philip, the drummer, what a lovely guy. Donald had played on his solo album, which apparently sounds magic.. Philip said, "What are you up to yourself James?" I mentioned that I was playing in someones' living room in Achiltibuie at the weekend. "What about yourself?" "Er, we're just heading down to Old Trafford." I love the Fleet Foxes record. Thought the Euros were great. Just back from Aosta with Karen Matheson, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, been in Brittany with Karen too, great gigs. I have some shows in the UK coming up with Karen, will post these up in case any of you are interested in coming along ; August 15 Innerliethen September 3 Dunfermline September 5 Cardigan, Wales September 7 – Langholm, Buccleuch Centre September 18 Milton Keynes September 19 Southport Arts Centre September 20 London - Hammersmith Irish Centre   October    2 Swindon Arts Centre October   3  Aberdare Wales October   5   Leeds City Varieties October   9   Eastwood Theatre October   10 Dundee Rep Theatre October   24 Bury Met                  October   25 Morecambe Dome Theatre October   26 Sage Gateshead                   November 7 Brunton Theatre Musselburgh November 8 Lemon tree Aberdeen I'll be premiering my own new album and prolonging the agony and ecstasy of my past at the ABC at Celtic Connections in January. This will be with a full band. I hope to do more next year and have more to tell you. I could talk shite a bit more often and thrill you with my worldview, but theres plenty of shite around in all of this ice cream for freaks. Thank you for keeping the faith, you know who you are and I know who you are and you will be rewarded when my ship comes in. Probably. 25 . 6 . 08 Its a mordant irony that I should feel like this: like a priest. I turn up at the door and am ushered in, there are a group of people in a rough semicircle, expectant , edging between deference and embarrassment. I am introduced and I make small talk for a while, we get acquainted, everyone is pleasant, I feel quite humbled. After a short while, its time. I get my cases, tune up my instruments and then conduct my arcane and outmoded ceremony. I tell stories occasionally, but while I'm in the midst of a song, I always try and lose myself and hope that they/you will follow me. When its over is there a feeling of relief? Coupled with respect, perhaps? I'm never sure. Like a priest, I wonder sometimes if I am guilty of monstrous self-deception, but I've chosen my path and theres no turning back, I have to find a way of keeping the faith. We talk, we find common ground, it feels intrusive sometimes to come into peoples homes, but I'm always made welcome and it serves to remind me of the good of people. We shake hands, I leave. Surely, if I can bring a little misery into peoples lives in this way, then its a good thing? 13 . 6 . 08 I appear to have caused some confusion among you, which is good. Some of you think I'm talking about baldness, which is bad... or my muse, which is bewildering. I refer to a spot, or to give it its colloquial term ; pluke. I understand that there are some students of the Scottish language out there so this may be useful. Other phrases I particularly like are ; "Ah wis like that.." Example; "See when she told me he was died; ah wis like that(makes very stupid faux surprised expression that is nothing like what he/she was actually like)." A variation is "Ah wis pure like that.."meaning, this is very similar if not the exact same, indeed perhaps even more so, as my expression or general demeanour when this event occurred. "Thats the rain on." That(the water droplets falling from the sky en masse)is the rain and it is happening now. 13 . 6 . 08 I appear to have caused some confusion among you, which is good. Some of you think I'm talking about baldness, which is bad... or my muse, which is bewildering. The giveaway for me is the title and it refers to a spot, or to give it its colloquial term ; pluke. I understand that there are some students of the Scottish language out there so this may be useful. Other phrases I particularly like are ; "Ah wis like that.." Example; "See when she told me he was died; ah wis like that(makes very stupid faux surprised expression that is nothing like what he/she was actually like)." A variation is "Ah wis pure like that.."meaning, this is very similar if not the exact same, indeed perhaps even more so, as my expression or general demeanour when this event occurred. "Thats the rain on." That(the water droplets falling from the sky en masse)is the rain and it is happening now. 13 . 6 . 08 It has been here intermittently since adolescence and it is with me again. Always in the wings, on the periphery, lurking, even when not visible. In the nascency of my music, I had long hair which I used to try and cover it, but the opposite effect was achieved, my hair parting like thick stage curtains to reveal its indefatigable presence...Ladies and Gentlemen!..Introducing!.. Its not always in the same place, but it is always centred or just off center. On the eve of a video shoot for the song Strange Kind Of Love, I phoned my manager, "Look, I don't know how to put this but, its massive and I don't want to look like a mutant.." He talked me off the precipice; on the day I was plastered with makeup and thankfully I used my quiff to mask its presence(this time, destination-forehead like the fucking jewel in the crown). Youtube devotees may notice that my angular dancing has a crab-like comin' at ya sideways kinda quality but you may still fleetingly detect its presence. And now its back again...I wonder, is it a part of me or I it ? Is it some inner barometer of my badness, some lack, some overabundance, a portent..? 5 . 6 . 08 Been in the studio, its going well, had my guitar blasting through an Orange amp the other day(please, no jokes)and got myself quite excited, so much so I almost stood up. Maybe I should post something on myspace soon to let you hear what I mean, isn't that what people do these days? It concerns me that it may drive more of you away, but ultimately, as the great Jimmie Dale Gilmour once sang, 'You've got to go to sleep alone'. I will please myself as usual and if it pleases you too then good. If not, go ye to fuck with the rest of the rats. I do wonder about all this relentless emetic self promotion; catch Peter Sissons' hernia operation Live! on youtube.. I loved the time in the seventies when Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin put albums out that didn't even have their names on them and you felt like you were part of a cult although there were ten million of you, the idea of Jimmy Page podcasting a jam session with Sandi Thom from his living room to try to stimulate interest from a saturated and decrepit media aeons away... I just cant get with the program, I'm clinging on to my rusty clock. Celtic won the league, oh yes..thought about posting something at the time, it may be that you would like to know my thoughts on these matters, the drunken stramash of the last night of the season or on my sadness at Tommy Burns' passing, but frankly there are a million sites out there dedicated to matters such as these...I will say that the abiding image of the whole shebang for me was of Walter Smith and Ally McCoist carrying Tommys' coffin. And in an entirely unrelated postscript, I am playing Frome Masonic Hall on Saturday 11th of October, tickets (£10)from jginfrome@gmail.com 25 . 4 . 08 You couldn't make it up.. I was handing in a sympathy card to a neighbour whos' partner died last week. As I put the card through the letter box a Highland terrier leapt up and ripped the card out of my hand. "Jesus Christ! " I proclaimed. Then a woman came out and told me I had the wrong address and that it was two doors up as her wee dog yapped around at my feet. She handed me the mangled card back, a corner missing and tooth marks and slavers all over it. "Sorry about that, he gets awful excited.." "No problem." I cleaned up the card as best I could and handed it in up the road. Should I have got a new card, I'm thinking now? What will she make of the state of it, will she think that it was me, that perhaps in the midst of some seizure I used the card to stop myself biting my tongue off? What a fucking Jonah. 22 . 4 . 08 I've written this a few times and then deleted it, but I'll post this (once again) on the basis that something is better than nothing, although personally I have my doubts(and again). Things are a bit slow but the recording is going well, I feel good about the record. I dont have many gigs but perhaps that will be kick started by the interest in the new album (aye right)and I will certainly endeavour to get as many as I can, but given that this will be a 'band' record as opposed to an acoustic one, I'll have to see what I can do as I probably couldn't afford to take a band on the road. There are grants and stuff available and I'm looking into all that and hopefully there will be more home/DIY gigs. The concept at the moment is that I will play next years Celtic Connections with a band, premiering songs from the new album and a selection of the same old shit that you've always known and loved/loathed/quite liked but preffered the jock-funk of Love and Money and came along hoping to Christ I'd play something from Strange Kind Of Love. 'THE RETURN OF THE THIN WHITE PUKE,' if you will... I know that I should probably try and work this myspace thing a bit better, but social networking has never been my forte(sic). I know peopIe spend a lot of time on line 'working' and churning out the minutae of their lives, but I always tend to think, why not work on a song, or try and write something as opposed to fannying about online. Every time I come onto myspace I see the same people, 'online now!' Where do they find the time? The internet has made everyone a 'writer', 'musician', 'photographer', 'film director' blah etc. Now I'm not saying its all shite, on the contrary (actually, I am saying a lot of it is shite)but what it does do is fill to bursting the cultural middle ground, otherwise known as 'the mediocre'. The cats out the bag as far as dance music is concerned, when you look at Garage band, even a retarded monkey could spend half an hour juxtaposing a couple of loops and it'll sound half decent.. I see too, that people have a lot of 'hits' or 'friends' but this does not necessarily equate with record sales or the modern equivalent of that. I'm not 'down' with what the kids are saying innit, etc. I dinnae ken the word on the street. Maybe I'll just google, 'How to work myspace'. Or get a young person to do it for me. In the past, I have always tried to write my way out of trouble, but this time I cant. Perhaps I'll look back and laugh at the morose nature of these postings, but I have to be realistic and perhaps look at alternative employment. I'm struggling with the new business models, markets and modes, or to put it another way, I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that I'm fucked. A career as an an ambient replenishment technician? The money is reasonable and there are good opportunities for advancement. And you get to wear a cap with 'Morrisons' on the front. Although sometimes I dont think I'm quite 'Morrisons' material, I think LIDL or ALDI is more my thang. Be good if they put records out, imagine my next record on the LIDL label, with a huge fuck-off back projection at gigs. nice. 11 . 3 . 08 Thank you to all of you who came to the gig in Hawick, it was a really good crowd and Fraser and I had a great time. I'd like to thank Rory especially, for setting the whole thing up(again) and to all of you who travelled many a mile to see me, it is truly appreciated(sic).I know I shouldnt let it bother me when people talk, but when you are singing something of an intense and personal nature and you open your eyes to see a couple of numpties practically pishing themselves it does make one yearn for a cattle prod or some Kung Fu stars..perhaps I could incorporate this into future shows? Was doing drums at the weekend, we did six songs; My Fathers' Coat, Darkstar, This Could Be The Day, Strange Flowers, The Bay At The Nape Of Your Neck and The Hallowing Touch. I am very happy with the way things are sounding, the intention is to get the record finished for the Autumn but as you know, it will be finished when it is finished.. I am playing the Stockton Riverside Fringe Festival on 31st of July at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton - On -Tees. Enquiries to 01642606525.The festival runs from 30th of July to 4th August, the web address is www.fringefestival.co.uk. and as far as I know, all events are free. I will be playing with a small band. 19 . 1 . 08 Self-pity is not admirable or likeable but in artists its fairly inevitable. I can truthfully attest that the majority of the people I have met who do what I do, (or a similar sedentary spend-a lotta-time up yer own sphincter kinda thang) are of a neurotic and egocentric bent of which self-pity is a slum province. Its part of the struggle, trying to overcome your demons, the pettiness of some aspects of your character, chips on the shoulder etc. I veer between resolve and despair. Its just the way I am. What I just gave you was an unsavoury slice of the latter, I'm afraid. What can I say? Sometimes it gets to me, you will hear it in my music and see it here from time to time. The only thing I can say by way of redeeming myself, is that I was being honest. Many of you had emailed asking what was happening and after a few abandoned attempts at trying to tell you I decided to spill the beans; not much. Yes, sometimes I want to give up, but the thing is, the truth of it is, I wont. Ever. I couldnt even if I wanted to. 18 . 1 . 08 I've tried to write a few times in an effort to keep you updated as to what I'm up to, but each time I've passed, because even by my own standards, I've felt it was too miserable or whingeing. Finally, I have come to the conclusion that something is better than nothing, perhaps. I'm not really up to anything other than writing and working on my next record and I am trying to convince myself that there is a good reason for me to go on doing this. I thank you for the notes of encouragement that you have given me over the last wee while, I think if I hear the phrase 'chin up' again, I may injure myself. Some of you have even tried to impart your own philosophies and sagacity for my benefit and you clearly have no concept that you may be patronising me. But thank you nevertheless. I do get down from time to time and this is just one of those times, I am confident that my next record will be good, as I think my previous records all were, I am not so confident that it will be enough for me to sustain my career as a musician. Maybe we'll all look back and laugh, but realistically, I think this could be the last one for a while. I just feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall...yes, I know its not that big a deal when you turn up and theres nobody there but I do have an ego and surely you can see why it would be disheartening or depressing or bruising to said ego? I do believe that there are a number of songs I will put up against anything on the next record; if I didnt, what would be the point? I believe that when I play and sing also, that I am capable of greatness, again, if I didnt, why bother? I am humble only to a point, false humility is hypocrisy. Last year I did a lot of home concerts, its a way of trying to reach people, but at the moment this year I have no gigs other than Hawick in March. I know that when I have a new record out it may stimulate some interest, but I dont see that happening at least until Autumn or beyond. If anything happens between now and then of any note I will let you know. I know there are genuine fans out there, genuine people, who care and I know also that there is an element of pathos/bathos here so you dont need to tell me I take myself too seriously, I know. But thats where I'm at right now. 28 . 12 . 05 I hope you all had a great Christmas and that next year will be good for you. I dont have many shows arranged as yet, I'm hoping to finish recording over the next couple of months and I guess we'll see what happens. I have continued to play home concerts over the last month or so, they have been the best thing about this year for me, indeed its made it possible to continue to plan and begin recording the next one, bear that in mind ye scoffers. For everyone who has organised a home concert or a gig for me, you have my heartfelt thanks, you know who you are and I count you as my friends. As much as I affect the curmudgeon herein, I do enjoy the social aspect of what I do, meeting people and talking to them and as long as there are these small pockets of disenfranchised and awry individuals who do actually 'get it' when it comes to me and my music, then we'll keep on truckin'. Last night I sang at a wake, a friend died recently at the age of 36, leaving 4 young children and their Dad..the way they and their family have dealt with the tragedy is truly inspirational and humbling and I was reminded as I sang, of what music is for and what it means to people. Spare a thought . 29 . 11 . 07 The gig at St.Andrews was attended by around a dozen folk. It was quite difficult, I shouldnt feel sorry for myself but its hard not to be disheartened, the experience is laden with pathos and visions of this being 'the future'. In these circumstances I always just try and do my best, I try and sing and play as well as I can, I didnt talk much, there didnt seem to be anything to say. But thank you if you came along. And thank you to Willie for organising it and treating us so well. 22 . 11 . 07 Thank you to all of you who came to the gig in Barnard Castle, I enjoyed it, I was worried my voice might not hold up but you got me through it. It was refreshing to see so many punters in the pub supporting Scotland...obviously I was gutted and perplexed. It was a strange free kick, but ultimately thats all it was, it wasnt a penalty, it wasnt a goal and it was irrelevant anyway. We're out. As are England. I cannot fathom it, but it was an inept and abject performance. I cant help thinking that, in a team full of multi-millionaires it simply doesnt mean that much.. how else to explain the lack of passion and focus? Was reading the Guardians','1000 albums to hear before you die', its so ineluctably shite . It all seems so hastily cobbled together and ill thought out. When will we stop compiling these useless lists? A couple of examples; Gwen Stefani(?), I mean, really...Gwen Stefani? Rachel Stevens..(sic). Obviously trying to court the polemic in some ways but this is just fucking science fiction..also one they get right, Tom Waits' Swordfishtrombones, it mentions the band, who yes, did play a big part in proceedings and then goes on to cite his 'clever' wife. How patronising and anyway, factually incorrect...she was not involved in proceedings although the record I believe is dedicated to her. Disappointing. And no, I wasnt in it. Bastards. Bill Drummond ex Bunnymen manager and KLF founder was on Janice Forsyth yesterday afternoon BBC Scotland, he has a very interesting idea about not listening to music for a day - to think about our relationship to music in general etc. You can find out about this through the Beeb website. I like where hes' coming from. Looking forward to St. Andrews on Sunday. 15 . 11 . 07 Re; St. Andrews gig; Tickets Available from Giant Step on 08712 717 081 www.theinnonnorthstreet.com Hotel Phone number :- 01334 473 387 Rooms available for audience members who want to stay over. 14 . 11 . 07 I am playing The Lizard Lounge in St. Andrews on Sunday the 25th of November, hope to see some of you there, harmonica God Fraser Spiers will be accompanying me. If any of you need tickets up front for the gig in Barnard Castle on Saturday, email me and I'll give you a contact to facillitate this. Thank you all who have emailed re; Scotlands Music, I dont have the rights to the version of Land O' The Leal, but you could try the BBC..oh and yes, I am still going..maybe the next one will do it for me and then I'll go away and leave you with my back catalogue. Tim Joes, from the Isle Of Wight, all my attempts to respond to you have bounced back, but thank you for your email nevertheless. I'm not sure I'll be coming to a venue near you soon as you are probably the only person who is aware of my existence there. 9 . 11 . 07 I am playing The Black Horse in Barnard Casle in North Yorkshire on Saturday the 17th of November, tickets are limited. I've been busy recording, so havent had a chance to talk for a while. Things have been very quiet on the gig front so starting to worry again, although this time of year is traditionally when I get increasingly morose, I usually perk up a bit in January although I have nothing sorted out for then either. The new record(this term is an anachronism, I know, but then so am I, so..) sounds good, though I'm fucked if I'll be giving it away for nothing..who knows what will happen? I can only persevere. For how much longer I am unsure. Until the well runs dry.. I am on Scotlands' Music, Phil Cunnighams new show on BBC Scotland tomorrow night. The theme is love and loss, Justin Currie and I have a chat with Phil and then I sing a traditional song called The Land O' The Leal. Undoubtedly some fuck will say I'm not trying hard enough or I should cheer up. 4 . 10 . 07 Some of you emailed me a while ago regarding Sounds Of Eden, a BBC thing L&M did years ago. I dont have a copy, but spoke to a guy in Biddulph who does..if you are still interested let me know and I'll give you his email. Once more into the breach.. ; people ask me if I 'enjoy' doing home gigs, like it must be a horrifically lowering experience. The answer is yes, I like playing and singing and if its the only way I can get to people and they can get to hear me, then I'm cool with that. As I said previously, in America, its common practice, guys like Tim O'Brien, who are incredible musicians, make their living this way so why should I have a problem with it? In actuality, some of the gigs in peoples houses have been better than 'gigs'. I treat these shows like any other and if people are respectful and listen(I always tell prospective punters - a party atmosphere is not best suited to my thang and that my solo material constitutes the majority of the repertoire)then it all works out fine and everybody is happy. If I were to do a show in Cornwall, where I did a home gig, I would draw perhaps a dozen punters and be paid accordingly, ie; I would lose money. It must be said that I do get my music to new listeners this way albeit in small numbers, but I am upbeat about this. I would rather play gigs with PA, lights etc. but although they sometimes do and I'm mightily grateful for it, I cant expect people to have the time and energy to facilitate this. Promoters are not queueing up to book me and believe me, I do try..I mentioned before on these pages that I contacted The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen where I always thought I had a good crowd and Johnny promoter basically offered me a support slot, which I have to say I found rather insulting..I have tried places like The Beinn Inn, again, no interest..I get the brush off from some glib dickhead. Also, it must be said that eg. years ago when I came to Manchester Academy to play(the promoter there is a cool guy and has always been very supportive)40 people turned up. I have to be realistic, its probably better for me to play to smaller numbers in smaller places and in an acoustic setting. In Love And Money, millions of pounds were lavished marketing our records with varying degrees of success, therefore it would be very silly or disingenuous of me to be moaning about this. I am on a bona fide independent label now and we dont have that kind of money, thats just that. I had heard that there was a 'push' for KT Tunstalls last album that cost a million quid, they got the returns I imagine, but you have to have the outlay in the first place..I make this point to illustrate that there is more to (self)promotion than a myspace site and poster printing or sitting on the phone getting nought backs from ameobae. You pay for everything, from where your records sit in a shop to getting a track on 'free' CDs given away with magazines(six grand I think that cost). Thats probably me fucked for a review for the next one now.. Anyway, keep the faith, I am heartened by the emails so many of you sent me after the gig the other night and it makes me believe I can find a way to make this work. Breathe.. Time for some culture now.. The following is a poem from Carl Casinghino "Tuning Wheel" She leans towards the curving edge, eyes closed, fingers brushing the worn surface, spinning the rusted spokes in a twirl of gold, as the notes roll in waves, seeking the echo of the ear’s last glimpse. Forks and spoons, empty shell casings, trigger switch with dangling wires, children’s scavengings sit by the jerrycan in the corner, bound in snarls of translucent strings. The spindle whirs, unraveling choked dreams of a barricaded city, flinging streamers of songbirth across the dusty sunshafts as she leans back and takes a breath. 30 . 9 . 07 Thank you to all who attended the gig at the Biddulph Arms, especially for helping me out when Wanderlust fell apart. I really enjoyed the night. It was a good turn out, so thanks to Eric and friends for making it happen. There is a review and an interview on readytorock.com. I havent heard the interview yet, never sure of myself in an uncontrolled situ, seem to remember for some reason saying at one point something about maundering from quandary to quandary, only stopping ocassionally to impale myself on the horns of a dilemma. And that was me in a good mood. Think I was talking about what lies beneath my new, bright, positive sound. Bet you cant wait. Re; comments on the message board, yes, I agree with you all, Mister Bimbo included; it is all craic at the end of the day. Craic - a word often misunderstood; which brings to mind a special DIY tip I'd like to share; when asking for Builders Caulk its always best to pronounce the silent L. BTW, I enjoyed Karens gig in Brechin too, we only seem to play in churches or cathedrals now, but thats cool with me.. 23 . 9 . 07 I feel a bit embarrassed by the post below and I cant help thinking that I've been uncharitable. I'm sorry. Its a bit of a struggle for me to make music and play and make a living, I dont deserve any medals for this, its nothing compared to what some people have to go through and as I say, I count myself fortunate. This year has been really good for me, but I have to work hard at it. I am probably over sensitive about these issues. I think I've said enough. 22 . 9 . 07 I address this to the enigmatic soubriquet; Big Bimbo. I feel a tad exasperated by this. I have no problem with you not liking me or my music, clothes, football team..although its generally good-natured and more often than not, positive, its a forum, not a sycophancy fest. I do have a problem with you calling me lazy and for perhaps suggesting that my laid back style may be at odds with where you think I should be commercially. That perhaps I dont behave as you think I should, that I'm just not trying hard enough. I am not privy to the script in your mind. You then accuse me of a lack of good will towards you. Perhaps its me who is guilty of making assumptions, assuming that you might understand me or where I'm coming from or want to be through my music, my occasional writing or my actions. You may wait a long time to see me on a bigger stage, maybe not, who knows, but if I do get there eventually, it will be on my own terms. I hope you can grasp where I'm coming from here..I like your scattergun stream of consciousness style, and your irreverent disdain towards me playing smaller venues(ho-ho), you are unburdened by any discipline towards spelling and although this does nothing to alleviate the impression of ignorance, so apparently was Jane Austen, I wont hold that against you. I dont know you, you dont know me, lets just keep it that way, maybe you'll come and see me at Hampden someday when I'm famous. But consider this ; I cant be who you want me to be if you dont let me be who I am. 21 . 9 . 07 Everyone should do their thing, however, if it trucks into my sensibilities, as it were, I may pass comment on it. I think it would be all too easy for me to be unkind here and frankly I cant be arsed. Yes, it would be great if I was more popular, I agree, perhaps you are privy to a unique vision of me achieving recognition on a grander scale than me playing the odd gig in your neighbours shed. Perhaps you see a more exhuberant me, marshalling my way through interviews with a dominant sweep..I dont know. I dont care. You dont have to say you love me. 17 . 9 . 07 Was in Cockermouth in Cumbria on Saturday night, really enjoyed the gig, thank you everyone who came and to Gerry who promoted and organised it. Ended up in the pub with a lot of you afterwards, if I was talking shite, I apologise, but you will buy me drink...I hired a car to drive down, I dont have the gene that engenders any interest in cars other than as a mode of transport, but the girl in Arnold Clark said "Do you want a Peugeot 306 convertible for the same price? We dont have a Corsa.." When we got down to Cumbria, (in about half an hour from Glasgow)and finally worked out how to get the roof down, there we were, Fraser and I, totally fucking freezing, saying, "This is the life, eh? Fucking magic.." Your man Gerry said, when we pulled up outside the gig, "Youve got a hairdressers car!" Obviously, I explained that I dont have the gene etc. blah, but at the same time pointed out that when you pressed the lock button the mirrors went in automatically in an strangely pleasing manner. I read your comments from time to time on the message board and I see that someone has decided after listening to the BBC Scotland thing I did with Janice Forsyth, that I am lazy and I need to get up off my arse and promote myself more. I count myself as fortunate to make my living as a musician, but from time to time its a struggle, I have to work very hard at it..the home gigs thing has been a massive boon in this respect and to anyone else who sticks out their neck to promote me, I am grateful. But once again, lets get this straight, you may like my music, you may even have had the misfortune to have bought me a pint and had me drone on about what a good football player I used to be, but you do not know me or what I have to do to make ends meet, so lets not make assumptions. I am what I am, if you dont like it, feel free to fuck right off. 27 . 8 . 07         Occasionally, I'm asked by some of you what I'm reading, I will read anything, I'm not a snob; sometimes I want a thriller, sometimes I want something more challenging, sometimes poetry..I've read a few good books this year, the best being The Testament Of Gideon Mack by James Robertson and Carry Me Down by MJ Hyland. There is a book I read recently that I feel I must mention; The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I've read practically everything he has written, the best being, in my opinion, Blood Meridian, but this is truly exceptional. Terms like 'classic' and 'masterpiece' are on the back of every novel you pick up, but trust me, this is the real deal and justifies his inclusion in the pantheon of great books of the last century or so. Its a truly grim tale, but the supernal dark beauty of the writing is breathtaking and redemptive.. I read the last few pages with tears in my eyes, I felt overwhelmed when I finally put it down. I know that the speed of life/work etc. is not always condusive to this kind of art, but if you find the time...I cannot recommend it highly enough. Occasionally, I'm asked what I'm listening to at the moment, but I dont like music much.. 27 . 8 . 07 The link for Thank You For The Music is http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/music/features/thankyou.shtml if anyone is interested. I'm playing 3 cathedrals in Inverness-shire with Karen Matheson and the Scottish Ensemble over the next weekend, dont have all the details as yet, but if you want to know where exactly email me over the next couple of days. 25 . 8 . 07 Thank you to everyone who came to The Vale last night, I drink in there with my Dad occasionally, its a superior pint of Guinness. Justin was great, his new album is excellent, hope that was a pleasant surprise for you. Like what the guy at the venue has done, the bills over the weekend were really impressive and I think hes building something fine..that said, I dont think the venue really suited me or the people who listen to me, the fact it was standing, the proximity of the bar, stairs , toilet etc. I found it really hard to communicate with people and this is something I generally dont have a problem with. When this happens I always just try and sing and play to the best of my ability and as I said, I hope it was enough. 22 . 8 . 07 The BBC thing I did on songwriting, 'Thank You For The Music' is on tomorrow at 11 am BBC Radio Scotland. I discuss my songs and songwriting in general, including great tips for dopamine challenged musicians and performers/chancers. Think I drank too much wine that night and was in a particularly loquacious and chirpy mood. Oh dear. Dont miss it, although you probably will. Friday night at The Vale should be good, sure some of you have heard whos playing..the guy has put a really good bill on every night, would really like to see John Renbourn, but playing again that night at a house concert in Yorkshire. I have nothing to say about the new record (a blatant anachronism I know, but cant help it) as yet, will keep you posted. Tony Wilson RIP, liked the guy..played The Hacienda a couple of times, remember rolling around the floor in a drunken stupour with Craig Gannon who used to play with The Bluebells and at that time, Morrissey. 12 . 8 . 07 Tickets for the Vale at tickets-scotland.com. Better hurry, tickets are limited and they're almost gone. I'm just back from Italy, thank you to all who came to the gig, Fraser and I had a great time in Bergamo...bit knackered but in a good way. Ciao. 8 . 8. 07 Playing The Vale bar in Glasgow on 24th August, tickets are limited to around 80 apparently so if you want to come you'd better be quick. Sorry its such short notice but only recently agreed to do it. It will probably just be me. If there was one song I've never played that you'd like to hear what would it be? I am an old prostitute, you see.. 31 . 7 . 07 For the legions of my Italian fans.. The concert in Bergamo is at Tavernola Bergamasca, Torre, about 25k from Bergamo. Fraser and I will see y'all there. 27 . 7 . 07 Thank you all who came to the Pleasance concert in Edinburgh, in all honesty we had a few sound problems that night so if I was grumpier than usual, thats why. Thought it was a good night nevertheless..thank you to all of you who sang on the evening, although it was the most rambunctiously minging thing I have ever encountered. I salute you. I have been doing quite a few house/private concerts, I have to reiterate that I have enjoyed every single one so far, I was down in Cornwall last week and we had a great night down there. The thing is, unlike Lou Reed, I do actually like a lot of my fans, I think thats the nature of small but dedicated followings...there is a commonality, a communion and an intensity that is unique. Also to be frank, playing in someones house is (for me)preferable to playing some half empty toilet reeking of piss and vomit with Doctor Feelgood posters in the dressing room. I love playing, its the closest thing in my life to prayer other than prayer itself which, sadly, is only really accessed when the truly grim has burgeoned. Not as often as you might think. People, it seems to me, are getting more and more evangelistic and bullish about their secularity, I resist this. I have nothing much to report on the new record, it will be next year, sometime, its not ready yet, but at the moment it is my intention to make a (dont laugh)big, voluble, positive sounding record.. 30 . 6 . 07 Enjoyed the shows at Collieston and The Pleasance, thank you to all who came. Sorry I cant espouse further on the collective delights of each concert, but I'm off on my holidays. Will answer any emails when I get back in a couple of weeks time. See ya. Tickets for the Collieston show available from Margaret Swan 751256 or check out myspace.com/villagesunsets.. 17 . 6 . 07         I was away in Spain a couple of weeks ago, did part of the 'Camino' from Leon to Santiago di Compostela with my pals Donald and Tom. I will perhaps tell of this in more detail, but we cycled 200 miles in 4 days and I merely mention this because I've been stopping strangers in the street to tell them, drawing them diagrams and asking them for tips on the best pile ointment and I've told all my friends and family members and what are websites for but this very kind of trivial nonsense..I know you'd perhaps prefer it if I told you I have a new record recorded for release next week, but permit me these occasional petty indulgences. The next record will be big and bold and bright, but as I explained to a friend last night, happyclappy for me, still would be in a different galaxy from the orbit of the majority and most likely perceived as a wrist sllttin'-ass-wipin' bottomless pail of puss. I know you're gonna love it.. Played the Tolbooth again last night, I do like that venue, it always feels good to me and I enjoyed the show, Fraser and Monica were on their usual blistering form and aside from a few uncontrollable rants at myself , I had a good time and I'd like to thank all who came..I may have confused a lady who left during one of the songs as a man and given her/him unneccesary grief..its meant to be funny. I would insert one of those wee faces here with a cringe, (emoticons...?)but I find them repellant and think that people who use them are sad. Had a gas at the radio show I did with Janice at the new BBC on Monday, talked shite and played some tunes, including the first song wot I ever wrote for nigh on an hour...some editing required for certain points were I got too relaxed and started casually swearing,..again thanks to all who turned up. Playing at the Village Hall, Collieston, Aberdeenshire next Saturday and The Pleasance in Edinburgh on Friday 29th(this show is looking like it may be quite busy so if you want tickets you'd better move your ass). I feel strangely positive regarding these things... all my shows have been really well attended of late(sold out again last night) I must be doing something right.... I believe that within the next 20 years digital music will simply be free, I hope not, but I cant see a way of stopping it...and that the communion of a live gig will take on an especial importance. As long as you keep coming, I'll keep doing it. Right now, I love it. 28 . 5 . 07 Away this week, any emails I'll answer next week.. 19 . 5 . 07 No more entries please. I'll probably try and flog a few at upcoming gigs and if anyone is still interested through here.. Have a gig in Bergamo, Italy August 10th that may interest a tiny minority of you. 17 . 5 . 07 Thank you to my most excellent man Bob Farmer for organising and helping with the gig at Centre One last Friday, I enjoyed myself inasmuch as this is possible and it seemed to go over well. Fraser was, as ever, superbad, in a good way.. I'm doing a programme on BBC radio Scotland with Janice Forsyth called 'Thank You For The Music' in which I will discuss my songwriting and songwriting in general. I will be playing some of my tunes and talking(mince)about how it is that I have come to be the man I am today(sic) and the trials and torpour of writing a song. Its down at the new BBC building across the river..it may be that there will be some tickets made available if anyone is interested. The date is 11th June. I'll let you know about the ticket situ. Probably. I'm doing another BBC programme for TV when I will be discussing love and loss with my old pals Phil Cunningham and Justin Currie, and maybe playing a tune. Dont know what its called yet or when its going out but I'll possibly let you know that too. And as I am in such a buoyant mood I have a batch of DVDs from my good fellow Stephen who filmed my gig at Cranleigh in Surrey, I understand that some of you may already have these from the message board, but I am giving away 5 gratis and out of the pure intrinsic kindness of my old heart. 'We've been here before', I hear you say,'..and we ended up with fuck all..' and you'd be right to say that...really, I dont know why you bother, but if you feel like taking a chance that just maybe, this time, I'll get my ragged arsed act together for once, then email the legend - DVD I want one - to info@james-grant.com. And you'll probably get one next week. 20 . 4 . 07 I played The Fox And Hounds in Houston last Friday, thanks to all who attended, it was a good night, I'd like to thank Jonathon for organising it. I spoke to someone after the show who mentioned that I'd used the same patter now for the last three gigs; the thing is, I'm assuming its not the same people who come every time, but then I suppose large numbers of you do, so I apologise for this, I must try and think of new and more interesting things to say or be more spontaneous. Or maybe I should just shut the fuck up and play and sing undiluted and stop these futile attempts to endear myself to people by trying to lighten things up between the grimness of the songs. I wonder.. I've done about half a dozen home concerts now and I've enjoyed every one. Sorry about the, 'I tell you most solemnly, I've played some dumps in my time..' line, but I cant resist it. In actual fact, the bother that all of you have gone to, to ensure its a proper gig setting has been quite remarkable and without jest(sic), I assure you that I have played gigs in 'proper' venues that are not half as good. I believe that the intimacy of my music and the settings are symbiotic, also the rawness of the thing, where its stripped to the bone is a test of material and voice and musicianship, you know I just love to suffer..Fraser has been with me on most of the gigs and he never, ever, is anything less than excellent, its always a privilege to work with him and it is also rather alarming the amount of women who want to elope with him..and who want to make me soup. Oh well. Keep em' coming. I heard a thing on the radio the other day, there was a football manager on talking about his methods, I think he managed one of the junior sides. He was saying that he asks every man to give 110%, that way they will have an extra man on the park(who coincidentally, will also be giving 110% contributing a further 10% towards yet another man on the park). Interesting. Obviously arithmetic was not his strong point. Or comprehension. Or the general laws of physics. 6 . 4 . 07 I've done a couple more house concerts and the vibe has been great, Fraser has been in top form as usual. We've got a few more this month and I'm looking forward to them. Finding the houses has been a slight problem as my sense of direction is non-existent and I have the inbuilt man-thang that tis' better to drive around aimlessly hoping you'll come upon the zone by accident than admit defeat and ask someone for directions. Woke up feeling that my tongue was a dowt in an old ashtray. Hangovers just get worse, I feel jittery, like I pushed my brain too far by talking so much shite, yet it must be done, it has to be this way, this dirty purge must occur now and again.. I remember once being down in RAK studios recording with Friends Again. Big Country were in next door and our mates from The Bluebells were around so it became a bit of a lagerfest. Mickey Most (Gawd rest 'im)walked in and said,              ' You Jocks..if there was an olympic medal for drinking , you'd never be 'orf the fuckin' podium!' O how we laughed. 6 . 3 . 07 Did my first home concert in Stonehaven on Saturday, a big thanks to Stuart for organising that - some of you may have seen the piece on the BBC news last night. Its just another gig and was treated as such by everyone; I play, people clap, you get shite patter in between in a futile attempt to lighten the atmosphere and if I’m very good I get an encore. It was not awkward or embarrasing, just very, very intimate which I believe suits a lot of my music. Lets be clear - yes, I would rather play in venues with lights, PA etc. but said venues are generally not interested apart from the odd one or two to whom I am grateful fo their support. I used to get emails telling me to get up off my arse, get gigging etc. and have explained the situ countless times that apathy and ennui were the norm in relation to my attempts at self promotion. I AM getting off my arse and doing something as opposed to weeping into my shandy or taking a warm bath with a cold razor and if you think the idea is cheesy or sleazy, I dont care. It works for me, the offers are coming in and I’m up for it. So - let us rock, in a very gentle way. Incidentally, you know that ad, Vote Scotland? Thats me that is. I did the music and the voice over, neither of which sound much like me, I know. The bit at the end isnt me, the womans voice, no, that would be taking it too far. It was requested that I became less Eeyore-like in my delivery(both musically and in general terms)therefore it is as animated as I’m ever likely to be other than when I’m watching Celtic. 4 . 3 . 07 The tickets for the gig at the Fox and Hounds are now available. £10 each - Jill Jackson ( ex Speedway lead singer) is the support - people can order tickets on the phone on 01505 612448/01505 612991 or email jonathon.wengel@btconnect.com. More later.. 23 . 2 . 07 The concert at Centre One in East Kilbride is on for Friday the11th of May. Tickets can be bought for £10 by contacting Bob Farmer at bobfarmer@talktalk.net. I am doing my first home concert next week, which the BBC are filming for the news, should be on the following week I imagine. I am also playing the Fox and Hounds in Houston(not Texas) on Friday the 13th April and the Tolbooth in Stirling on Saturday the16th of June, contact venues for details. I am feeling relatively sanguine at the moment because its been a busy start to the year. Probably wont really start whingeing in earnest again till the end of the year when things are always quiet and the self doubt creeps in again and the crushing debt that is Christmas comes upon us. I should be starting recording very soon, I have a very good feeling about this one, but then I always say that and the whole escapade will no doubt die with a whimper once again. It will be a bigger, bolder affair and may even be infused with a reluctant positivity. Maybe. 19 . 2. 07 Sorry I havent written in a while, I’ve been very busy. I’ll tell you about it soon...Have a few home concerts lined up and although I initially viewed the thing with some tempered concern, I’m looking forward to them.The BBC are filming part of a concert I’m doing in Stonehaven for the news, as they thought it was a fine and novel concept, I’ll let you know when it should be on, although you must bear in mind that I might not and in fact probably wont. I’m playing the Tolbooth in Stirling again also, will let you know the date when I confirm it, also I have been asked to play a gig in East Kilbride Centre One, ditto with the date. Thank you to all who came to the Celtic Connections shows, I loved both the shows at the Tron and Karens’ gig at the City Halls. I thought it was a great festival this year, next year I want to play with a band again and hopefully I’ll have a record out. Dunno. I’d like to thank Fraser, Monica, Paul and Donald for helping me do the shows, they were brilliant, as always. One of the guys on the message board, Gaz, wants to put a gig on in Liverpool, is anybody out there interested? Drop me an email and let me know, we are trying to get a few heads so that it wont be a waste of time. Just realised that this is the most soporific, banal thing I may have ever written and I apologise for that, but it may be marginally better than nothing. Thing is, theres not a lot to say, just trying to get more gigs, but places I like The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen and The Ironworks in Inverness, The Beinn Inn in Fife, East Kilbride Arts Centre(and these are in Scotland)are not interested in having me and in England and further abroad I am persona non grata, so you can see why the home concert thing has transpired. S’funny though, I cant help thinking that they may be writing me off too soon.. It was once said in Mojo, or whatever , that I make music thats too good to ignore, but apparently that is not the case. Just off to polish the chip on my shoulder. 04 . 01 . 06 Happy new year to all of you. There has been an extra show added for CC on the 19th January at the Tron, looking forward to seeing you then and on the 28th. LET US ROCK in a very gentle way. Gather ye sad fucks, losers and jonahs. I’m on the BBC radio Scotland news talking about home concerts(sic) tonight at 5.45, O what larks! Thank you all for your suggestions regarding the title of the next album, I will let you know how its going in due course. There is , as I have mentioned previously, an interview and a couple of songs for you to check out. Enjoy. 22 . 12 . 06 I should add, that regarding Celtic Connections and those of you who couldnt get a ticket for my show in January, we are looking into the possibility of putting on another night. Check the CC website next week or the ticket office or indeed here, for the date. You may have to be a bit quicker off the mark, apparently it sold out quite fast, so must be doing something right, but cannot for the life of me figure out what it is or might be... Anyway, I look forward to seeing you all, I can promise you a rip- snorting evening of top notch entertainment, get your most irritating and unlikely to be fulfilled requests in now.. You never know. The warp and weft of desperation can change people. 22 . 12 . 06 Merry Christmas to all and sundry. It will come as no surprise to those of you who know me that I fucking hate this time of the year, but as Jimmy Pursey once said, “Its all about the kids..” I am due to start recording soon, the provisional titles are ; There Is A Sound Ghosts Of The West Coast Miserichord Happyhead Vote for your favourite now, perhaps it will have some bearing, I dunno... Theres something I’ve been thinking about for a while and I’ve kept putting it off because it seems very much like a last resort, which, I cannot lie, it is. Home concerts. Basically if you can get enough bodies ie; 30 or 40 I would come and play in your home, there would be no need for a PA and I can come anywhere. And I mean anywhere. Obviously, I would need to be paid but we can work this out. I am just looking for a way to play to those who want to hear me. I would prefer to do proper ‘gigs’ but they are becoming few and far between. The vast majority of promoters and agents do not want to touch me. Some of you have taken the time and trouble to organise gigs and I am very grateful for this, but I know that many of you would have neither the time nor the inclination to do this. I know that a lot of artists in America do this kind of thing. Its uncharted territory for me and does not in any way kindle the merest whiff of an atom of glee or anything sanguine but I have to find a way. Or a job. Early in the new year on the site I will post an interview and two songs from the Surrey concert, I’d like to thank Stephen for all his hard work on this, I hope you like. Regarding the guitar/ tuning workshop thing I’m working on a way of getting it to you and I still have to post the 12” River Of Peoples out ; I will get it together. Promise. 13. 11. 06 I’d like to thank everyone who came to the Cranleigh gig, it was a good night. A special thank you to Stephen for organising the show and for all the work he did filming etc. which I hope to be able to show you soon. I also wanted to say that I felt bad about not coming out for an encore, it was not my intention to snub the audience, particularly as I know how far some of you travel. I did intend to come back on, but the applause petered out a tad swiftly and then the background music and the lights came on and that was that. Perhaps I need to be quicker off the mark, but once again, I’m sorry, I did actually enjoy it. I often wonder if I should just shut the fuck up and play, I might try that sometime, sometimes there is no alternative, but I cannot help it; although I am an old curmudgeon, the prostitute in me...er, what I mean is.. I do like to actually entertain you...I know also that it need not be justified, I am what I am. What I do find is that if I can make you laugh occasionally tt adds to a dramatic tension when the majesty/misery of the music is unsheathed. Thought the support band were good too. The next show I have is at Celtic Connections in January. 2 . 11 . 06 Re; the question on the forum about ‘I’ll Comb The Tangles...’, yes, I wrote it after I read the book, paticularly the relationship with the widow/brother. I enjoyed the book, I think I wrote the song just after, I already had a rough sketch and the book just kick started it. As to other books, I think theres a list of stuff below in the diary section. I’ve read a lot recently, I always do when I’m writing; Housekeeping by Marylinne Robinson, Kafka On The Shore by Murikami, The Third Policeman(again, 4th time), A Million Little Pieces by James Frey(true or false), Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, Checkhov short stories... The best book I’ve read this year is without question, The Peoples Act Of Love by James Meek. I get despondent from time to time, just moanin’ thats all. Does anyone know anybody whos really happy, over the age of forty? I just worry, I do what I do and I always will as long as there is a moon and I’m grateful for the support I receive from you people, but I’m sure that you can appreciate that to keep going is difficult sometimes. The thing is, I cant stop... So dont worry. I wrote this song last week, its optimistic in a pessimistic kinda way; This Could Be The Day Hey, this could be the day You break the cycle of doubt and fear And take control of your life Leave behind your squalid tears Over the cranes and steeples All the cars and people See the sun, blind to the fray All your wasted feelings They have no meaning ...I believe that this could be the day If you could see...why must it be You stretch to reach so far beneath you? Useless things Fill the hole in your life Feed your weakness Throw them away Over the cranes and steeples.. Hew many times have I said these things never really meant them? Tried to let faith foment them? But I swear, somehow I’ll find a way ...Finally Over the cranes and steeples... Pop charts; Ah’m a comin’ to git ya.(sic) 29 . 10 . 06 Enjoyed the show in Peebles, thank you to all who came from near and afar. I know I say this every time I do a gig now and its like the bit in Mike Yarwood when he would say, ‘And this is ME! ’ And everyone would think OH FUCK, THATS PISH. He has no personality of his own because he is too busy impersonating others, he is an empty husk of a man and he cannot sing. Its all so desperately sad I wanna take a hot bath with a cold razor... Er, been feeling very despondent of late and playing is catharthis, there is an energy that is unique in that environment and I treasure it. Fraser was, as ever, supernal. To quote the great John Shuttleworth, ‘I’m up and down like a brides’ nightie...’ Wiill write again next week, when I’m less hungover and delicate, whingeing, Sunday stricken, defeated and drained. 19 . 9 . 06 Its round about this time of year that I am bludgeoned by self doubt and (pathetically)lack of money and opportunity and the bathos of self pity and the stultifying banality of domestic neccessity and wonder whats the point. But I’ll get over it. I still get emails asking me about gigs and why I dont do many of them. I refer you to earlier entries in the diary section. It can also be summed up by the fact that; I am not all that popular, I only really sell a couple of thousand CDs, the thing is too, that people imagine Love And Money were a big band, this is also fallacious, at best we sold 60, 000 albums in this country and even that was doctored by the record company so we could get a silver Frisbee. The good thing about Purgatory though, is that you know theres a pot of gold waiting for you in a couple of million years time. I told a story at the concert in Denholm that did not go down very well at all; After Bobbys funeral, driving out the Cemetary, I saw a number of floral tributes. There was one which really caught my eye in particular. A six foot conglomeration that spelled out the word JUMBO. I turned to my wife and said, ‘Bet that was a fucking heart attack.’ I remember a priest saying in a sermon once that we WILL be reunited with our own bodies in the afterlife... looking around me, the sense of disappointment was palpable. I found the twelve inch copies of River Of People and I will post them off to the winners as soon as I can be arsed and can find envelopes large enough since the decline of vinyl, those who have not given me addresses must do so if they want the swag. My next show is at Eastgate Arts Centre in Peebles on the 27th of October. 4 . 9 . 06 Thank you to everyone who came to the gig in Denholm, it was a good night. Sometimes I find myself trying too hard between songs to alleviate the grimness, but I understand that if I just sing and play the best I can, then everything will be alright. In a fucked up kinda way. These gigs keep me going. I enjoyed playing the new tunes, although they will probably sound very different when I record them. I have a warped desire to alienate you all again, but maybe we’re stuck with each other. The singing on Scarecrow song was exactly the kind of drunken schlock I envisaged when I wrote it and asked for your participation. Thanks for that. Gang doon wi’ a sang, gang doon. 24 . 8 . 06 Let me be the first to say it, feeling certain I wont be contradicted; Theres only one Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Yes, I was serious about the guitar thing, be a help if you could come to Glasgow, but if there were groups of you around the place I wouldnt be averse to travelling. A lot of what I do involves different tunings and guages of string, its not rocket science but its proven difficult to explain in text, so I thought I’d try doing it in person. I dont work the chords out for a lot of the songs in different tunings, I just play what I think sounds good and make up my own shapes, thats the point of it really. If you are interested email me. red kite flapping in the power lines lapwing arcing the field o great anaesthetist from your trolleyful of science redeem me I am asked frequently when the new record is coming out; I dont know, I have’nt started it yet. In my head it sounds good, but as usual I veer between resolve and despair. One day I’m in the clutches of an epiphany, next I’m a hapless chancer staring at a blank page trying to wrest some inspiration from my atrophied brain. All I know for sure is that sometimes when I open my mouth and sing, its there. 20 . 8 . 06 I understand some of you are interested in chords for the songs. To be totally honest, many of them are written in alternative tunings and I’ve never really bothered working them out. Its not my thang. What did cross my mind, because I do get asked about this quite a lot, is that I could do a day teaching some of you the shapes, techniques, tunings etc.and charge you an exorbitant amount for the privelege. Actually, probably not that exorbitant.. If anyone thinks they may be interested in this idea, email me. If not, I’ll post some of them at some point before I die probably. 11 . 8 . 06 We were playing at an ‘industry event’ in San Fransisco, us and the Hothouse Flowers. It was very prestigious apparently, as all the top radio stations and shops and heads of the record company were there and there were clearly palms to be pressed and cocks to be sucked, all for the greater good of mankind. The whole thing was held at the Western St. Francis, where on the tines of a perverse and particularly savage irony they washed the money(sic) so you did’nt have to get your hands dirty. While we were doing the soundcheck we careened off into a maelstrom of feedback and black noise and who walked in but Barry Manilow himself. I know this will sound like bullshit, but it made me so proud, still does; he put his hands over his ears and turned and scurried out the door. At the gig itself I remember coming into the dressing room and seeing three of the guys in the band in vests. Like Go West. This put me in a bad mood that lasted throughout the gig and generally fucked things up for us/me. We were shite. The Hothouse Flowers went down a storm. I decided to get rat-arsed to alleviate my anxiety. We wandered around from room to room like levels in Dantes’ Inferno(an Italian chipshop in Maryhill) coming upon one populated by fat fucks with cigars, their ridiculously blank and very beautiful inamoratas, the conversation piece of which was an enormous silver salver full of coke for everyone to enjoy. I ended up beside one particular fellow who actually happened to be the head of Poygram LA. He told me I was going to be a superstar etc. etc. blah, and I was actually starting to enjoy it,when Bobby suavely said to him that it was really good to see such a WEE GUY like himself in a position of power... Goodbye America. Thank you everyone who sent messages of condolence. Bobbys’ funeral was on Saturday, someone remarked that it was like being at T in the park - twenty years ago. It was difficult, I was accompanying Jerry Burns at one point during the ceremony and I opened my mouth to sing but all that came out was a toneless croak, dont know how she did it , but she sounded lovely. We talked a lot about old times and I still feel very proud and fortunate to have been a part of it. We had a lot of fun and the thing is, that was clear in all the anecdotes and tales of the old campaigns ; we never took shit from no-one. When we were recording Stange Kind Of Love in New York, Bobby bought a Chapman Stick. For the uninitiated, this is a musical instrument that only a handful of people in the history of popular music have ever mastered; the geezer Chapman himself, Tony Levin and,,, thats about the size of it, I’m afaid. A plethora of effects would be required to make it sound remotely good, that and the dexterity of a fucking octopus. There is no point in being in a band if people cant try out ideas, do their thing, experiment,...however, I came to detest the sight of that thing and I have just read a diary entry from that time that stated;     ”....he(Bobby) had the fucking stick out again today and as per usual it was a complete waste of time. It sounds at best like the weediest fucking guitar iimaginable and at worst like a weasel farting in a wind tunnel. I wanted to grab it off him and smash it over his head and then piss all over the mixing desk...” Think I might have been a bit tense. God bless you Bobby. 26 . 7 . 06 It has been a very bad week, I dont feel much like talking about this at the moment, but Bobby Paterson, the bass player in Love And Money, died on Sunday. Its just so sad, I cant get my head round it.. I’m in the process of writing his obituary, its surreal, I’m not sure whether he’d be horrified or hysterical at the thought of that. Say a prayer for him and his family. 16 . 7 . 06 I’d like to thank everyone who came to The Pleasance in Edinburgh, I enjoyed the show and I hope you did too. It was good to see some punters, after the show in Cumnock. It must be said that I do not expect utter reverance and silence, so long as it is quiet enough, I dont mind. Those of you who are interested can see some photos of the gig, although its just me and my guitar and I do tend to girn a bit, fuck knows why you’d want to, but there is a thread on the message board if you like that sort of thing. Thank you to the photographer for posting the link. I would urge more of you to try and organise concerts of a small, intimate nature as I’m planning to take over the world next year and I am very bitter. If it doesnt work out I may disappear from your radar altogether. I want to play to you. Help me facilitate this. I am just back from France, I watched the final there last Sunday night and have seen first hand a country reeling from Zidanes’ great existential act. It was a moment of Nietzchean folly, but it reminded me of the scene in Witness when Harrison Ford beats the crap out of a couple of rednecks who are tormenting his Amish friend. He was compelled to respond in his way alone, regardless of the consequences. I am still more impressed by the fact he chipped the worlds’ best keeper in the World Cup final like he was just having a kick about. Genius. I’ll never forget his beautiful, balletic goal in the Champions League final at Hampden, a harmony of movement, poise and technique. One of you asked me what I said at the gig in Edinburgh regarding love and money songs. They are never played grudgingly, I might add. I never play anything I dont actually like. All I said was that I cant be who you want me to be if you dont let me be who I am. 26 . 6 . 06 Dont be afraid of the new message board, where it says click HERE on the old one, click there and you will be taken to the new one. You can all just stay on the one topic forever, then it will be just like the old message board. Or you may wish to discuss other things. Its not that complicated, you sound like a fucking old bunch of grannies. ‘Ooo-er there are boxes everywhere, I’m all confused,... oh dear I’ve just wet meself, I’m completely discombobulated, get me temazapam...’ Karen tried to sort out the porno spam, give it some time and I’m sure it will be fucking marvelous. Alternatively, fuck off and get a life/seek out more porno spam/build your own website. 25 . 6 . 06 I’d like to thank the 20 or so people who showed up for the Cumnock concert last night. I did my best. It is difficult sometimes. I cant say I look on these situations with any joy or optimism for the future, it does not do much for my ego. I do like to sing and play and I feel like I can transcend the banalities and tribulations of the everyday when I do. I can go beyond the fact I am aged, ugly and possesed of a monstrous chip on my shoulder. The thing is, I am prepared to debase and denigrate myself as long as there are a few of you who can connect with me in some small way, but I feel like I’m clinging on to an iceberg, its just a matter of time...Dont get me wrong, I get paid for it, but I’m disappearing. I’m not everybodys cup of tea, I’m not the kind of person people sit beside or smile at involuntarily, I am awry and awkward and shite at life, but when I write and sing and play..It still moves me. I must find a way. 23 . 6 . 06 I should mention that I’m due on at 9 tomorrow, hope to see some of you there and in Edinburgh, also, I should perhaps start putting Karens gigs in the gig section as some of you didnt know I was playing in Italy and were understandably completely gutted/distraught/utterly bereft/not that bothered. I’m playing in Liverpool with her on 2nd July. The winners of the 12 inch singles will have to wait a little while I’m afraid, I’ve fucking lost them, but hopefully they will resurface soon..if not I’ll give you some other shit. 20 . 6 . 06 I was playing in Bergamo with Karen at the weekend, we all had a good time, it was nice a few of you had come to see me, I’d love to come over and play Italy myself sometime. The last time I played in my own right was with love and money and we played in Milan and swopped our rider for tickets to see AC at the San Siro. Hullit scored from a free kick, Rijkaard, Baresi, Van Basten et al played . Yes, it was last century. I am playing Cumnock at the weekend (Saturday), Edinburgh Pleasance on the 7th July and The Cross Keys in Hawick on the 2nd of September(tickets £8 from Rory - see message board). I know porno shit keeps appearing on the message board, cant do jack about it. I remember the first time I bought pornography, I was fifteen. I went to the Barrows in Glasgow and hung around the stall shadily waiting for my moment to swoop in and get some. Unfortunately Mrs. Old Lady saw me as I went up and lambasted me along the lines of, ‘Ya Durty Wee Bastirt, oan a fuckin Sunday tae!.’...etc. etc. I grabbed the first magazine I could,   the man put it in a brown paper bag for me and I made my getaway. When I got into my room, I opened the bag to find I had bought a magazine dedicated to spanking, full of photos of women with handprints on their arses. Not really what I had in mind. Served me right, I suppose. It is interesting reading that you would like me to have worldwide appeal, but I should tell you that the very worst thing I can imagine is the State of Fame. I would like to have more people hear my music, and to make some more money etc. but I am ultra paranoid about invasions of my privacy and that of my family. Dont really think it will ever be an issue, but the strange thing is I used to truly believe with all my heart that it was my destiny. As my mother used to say, ‘Theres no fool like an old fool...’ 5 . 6 . 06 I have finally moved house, it is mightily grim and I would not recommend it. Just stay were you are. I have been waiting for the good people at BT who have been dicking me around for corporate fun to give me a phone line. 8 days. I’m not one to complain; but they have made me feel like a lowly piece of smegma in a Kafka-esque nightmare. Apart from that, they did a really good job. 3 months and I’m off to TalkTalk, and I suggest the rest of you follow suit, before they piss on you too. Its only a matter of time. Tickets for the Edinburgh show on 7th July are available from Tickets Scotland and/or Ripping Records. I havent forgotten about the vinyl - I will check out what I need for postage and get back to the 6 or 7 of you who emailed. I may have to disappoint a few of you but I’m sure youre used to it every time you hear one of my new songs. 19 . 5 . 06 I do not look back unkindly on Friends Again, but with fondness. I think Trapped And Unwrapped is a great record, although it is very much of its time. I remember that era as laying the foundations for the years to come and in particular I remember getting chucked and thinking, right thats it, I’m gonna fuck myself up in every way I can, I’ll show her...and I think I made a pretty good job of it. I realise its not particularly interesting reading about me moving house, but thats where I’m at. Networking is vulgar, just keep it to yourself. In Hell everything is perfect At the table where you sit Everything is free But this corporate hospitality; Somebodys got to pay for it Every flower has its funeral For every Woodstock an Altamont You just took control Turned all your bum notes into gold Give the people what they want (From ‘O Happyhead’) I found a lot of old vinyl in my cupboard, 12 inches of Candybar Express Shep(down boy) Pettibone mix/River Of People(Mixed by Brian “Chuck ‘ New(sic), more Brian than Chuck I would say). There are 6 of them. I know a lot of you dont like to admit it, you like to assuage me that you prefer me now in my present incarnation, but if you want it all you have to do is pay for postage. I’ll even sign them or write something offensive, tell me what you want, I am but a conduit of your desires. 18 . 6 . 06 The Edinburgh show is now on 7th July at The Pleasance. Henrik almost did it for me(he did everything but, including putting Celtic straight into the money), but alas, £40 goes to the bookie 14 . 5. 06 I’m moving house, I have been knocking walls and ceilings down, I feel like a MAN. My hands are gnarled and calloused, dirt caked under the fingernails, hair full of plaster, bogies black. This has given me a taste of what real work must be like and it is clear I am not cut out for it, nor do I wish to be. Must try harder. I do read your postings, I like the phrase ‘tinternumpty’. As to whether you can influence or inspire me in any way, I dont think so, but I am very easily flattered and mostly for what is unquestionably the wrong reason. I was urged to get meself a zone on myspace.com, which I have done. Seems to me its a networking extravaganza, I get emails every day from all these people wanting to be my friend, even people who are my friends want to be my virtual friends, thing is, I dont really want to be anybodys friend, I dont need any more friends, I have enough and actually I was thinking about cutting down on the time I spend with some of them. I cant be arsed with it. People say they hear a lot of new ‘sounds’ but I dont like music much. I think the song you heard at the Tolbooth may have been Scarecrow Song, in which case you will have to wait until I record it, or Whisky Dream(on Dogs In The Traffic). I have a couple of gigs coming up ; Saturday 24th June at a festival in Cumnock - have asked for more details but the geezer says his PC broke, and The Counting House in Edinburgh on Saturday 15th of July. Hope some of you can make it. I contacted a number of agents this year, one said, ‘ No thanks, but good luck,” another, ‘....have passed on your email but things are pretty hectic at the moment, so dont hold your breath...’another gem was, ‘ ... you have been one of my favourite artists for many years but...’ blahblah. So we’ll have to just keep doing it ourselves. DIY: its my life and its my wife. 4 . 4 . 06 I’d like to thank everyone who came to the gig at the Tolbooth, I really enjoyed it and I hope you did too. I was chuffed that it sold out. Fraser was brilliant, as ever, no matter how many times we play together I’m still taken by surprise at his range and his awesome ability. I’d like to thank once again the good people at BA for fucking up with my Dobro(it arrived Saturday mid afternoon). Can you believe I only got 4 -1 for Henrik to score in the Champions League final ? Ladbrokes. The gigs with Karen have been brilliant, we’ve all had a great time and hope to do some more, I just want to play at the moment... its time to hit the studio though and get started, dismantle the good intentions in about a week, rewrite everything in about a month and be done in about a year. Maybe this time it will be different, maybe this is the one to rocket me to superstardom... much chance of that as of finding a poor Scientologist. 21 . 3 . 06 I was lucky enough to see Jimmy Johnstone in action, my Dad took me a lot when I was wee. On his day he was the best player in the world. I have footage of DiStefanos’ testimonial, when we won 1-0. The crowd in the Bernabau were cheering him as he took the piss out of their heroes. Jimmy said it was his proudest moment when DiStefano and Puskas and (I think) Eusebio posed for a photo and Di Stefano came over and said, ‘You should be in this too...’He overcame a trio of hurdles; (a) v. small (b) ginger (c) Scottish, with his God given talent, showing us, truly, that theres hope for us all. I’ve been away a lot with Karen, the gigs have been going great, looking forward to London and Brighton and then I’m playing the Tolbooth on the 31st, hope to see a few of you there. 3 . 3 . 06 Only one of the songs mentioned was on The Mothers Boy ; From Hubcap To Bluetown. I have had a lot of emails/letters about this project over the years, verily I say unto you; it is virtually unlistenable, the main reason it has not seen the light of day is that I do not think it is good enough. “Let us be the judge of that!” I hear you say. ‘No.’ I reply “We will pay, we have money!” ‘Nay, nay and thrice...’ and so on, ad infinitum. Going to Paris with Karen tomorrow. Love and Money sold more records in France than in the UK or anywhere else, we were very popular there for a time. Which was nice. I remember being in a resturaunt with the head of the record company over there and thinking; this guy is pissing me off with his shitty eulogising attitude, lets see now, whats the most expensive thing I can order,...Ah ... helllllo there.., lobster sauteed in Cognac. And of course, the rest of the band followed suit ; 6 lobsters in Cognac. I think tomorrow night it will be back to chips though. 24 . 2 . 06 I have great affection for b - sides in general, they tend to presage things to come and are less inhibited in many ways. I like History very much as I have said previously, also, She Carved Her Name, Wanderlust, Soon, Dreamscape Angel, Blue Eyed World, True Believer, Thistlekiss, Without Her, Call Me Slim, From Hubcap To Bluetown...regarding which, during a tour of America I gave certain states soubriquets, ie - Detriot ; Hubcap, Chicago ; Bluetown , Texas ; Burger. When I bought Jim Whites’ first album a few years back was amused to find he’d done the same, although his were more biblical and generally better. The best b-side ever; You Cant Always Get What You Want. Incidentally, one of the peolple I worked with at the Transatlantic Sessions gig, Patty Griffin, you should check her stuff out. Shes the real deal, trust me. Hope Rangers win the Champions League for Eck. About as much chance of me appearing on TOTP. I have a very strange suspicion that Henrik will score in the final. I am usually wrong. In the main. And indeed the very fact I have mentioned it has in itself, undoubtedly fucked it up for him. 20 . 2 . 06 Thank you for your posting re; the Lemon Tree, we all enjoyed the gig, the Tolbooth too, its great to be playing the stuff live. Yeah, as I said previously, I contacted the Lemon Tree about a gig but they were’nt interested, which is strange because I noted when I was up that many other hasbeens are still quoted in this respect. Nevermind. Be good if lots of you come to the Tolbooth 31st March. 17 . 2 . 06 Lexus purrs into the driveway slick as a greased up dolphin he flashes his executive smile I’m gasping for breath too much cologne he has a bald patch the shape and size of a communion host elephant skin his eyebrows give him a permanent look of surprise I sense a sadness there a distemper our conversation is like reading a manual and while he talks I saunter off somewhere elsewhere come back this is important how this guy must fall apart when he hits the pillow and fall into muted dreams travel brochure blue o dear sweet Jesus she stole my sense of humour help me he is gone I open the windows consider my purchase d e a t h let the clean white frost ferment then this kiss 14 . 2 . 06 Thank you to all who came to Stafford, I enjoyed myself and I hope you did too . I had intended to thank Clive during the gig and still feel bad that I didnt - Clive, thank you for organising this again, you are a very nice man indeed...Didnt know that Clives’ comments about the ghost were gen, apparently it was on ITV last week, they held a seance and there was paranormal activity on the ghost-o-scope and flying seats etc.... perhaps that would explain the geezer in tights and a ruff I saw during the interval who said, ‘CHEER UP JOCK, FOR FUCK SAKE ! F'I WERE'NT ALREADY DEAD I'D TOP MESELF ...’ Thank you all for singing along, its a strangely heart warming thing to hear people sing your words, albeit a cheesy endeavour, then again, its a far cry from The Lady In Red, singing about someone drinking themselves to death because thats all they have left . Happy days. Got a very nice email from Carl Casinghino and a poem, see below. Eighth Avenue and Somewhere And my old lady taught me to put down the whisky and go to bed, but I just gotta get up and see somebody, just gotta spill more of the loose change and the wildcard picks until the last rings drown the insults, cause the guys are just round the corner, so I tip- toe with creaky shoes in hand, down splintered hallways to fumble through sputtering fluorescent light to the stale philosopher’s Saturday. Tim, Booger, and The Figman are at Carlos’s; they’ve finagled a bottle from the drunken barkeep, and they call for another glass. We’ll all get good jobs soon, but, hell, we’re welcome here; just can’t keep the boys down if they got a pair of hands or so. A fight broke out, something like that, then we were pissing by the barbed wire. My bed was seeming pretty warm by then and the curve of her back even warmer, but company ain’t easy to come by, and she wouldn’t take to mine upon slurry legs and this label pasted on my mouth. Incidentally, whoever nicked the setlist the other night, there was a (s)train of thought on the back, keep it to yourself . Actually, no, burn it or obliterate it in some other way, it was not intended for public consumption . Must be more careful in future, they always get nabbed, but I forgot I'd written some garbled shit on this one. Charlie, I see tis' you who purloined said item, could you oblige me, my man? 6 . 2 . 06 About last week, forget it , its history, I am not proclaiming a fatwah nor do I want anyone ostracised. I do reserve the right to be pissed off, but I feel its as much your space as mine, so rock on... Saw Nick Cave last night, great show, its been a long time since I witnessed that kind of presence. He never played Into my Arms, which is probably my favourite song of his, but did a great versions of People Aint No Good, The Mercy Seat and Tupelo. He had a guy on mandolin and fiddle( both instruments were mainly brutally distorted and coruscating), a bassist and a great drummer. They battered the bejaysus out of their instruments and created some unholy fucking cacophony for four guys. Abbatoir Blues was one of my favourite records of last year and I think he gets better and better, his output as a writer is phenomenal. Rugby, yeah, always good to see Scotland win, whatever they do. Dont like rugby though, I cannot see the aesthetic in it. Public schoolboys kicking the shit out of one another. Not my thang. Looking forward to Stafford, off to Madrid tomorrow with Karen, see y’all Sunday. 2 . 2 . 06 I am so fucked off by this. 2 . 2 . 06 Yes, I am selling my flat, nice of you to post the details on the site. Re; the comment about helping me get gigs/pay my mortgage/keep me in caviar, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; nobody owes me nothing and vice versa. All who help me get gigs, bug people in the street etc. for my benefit, I am grateful, but I dont think I’ve ever short changed anyone. Through the website I’ve done three gigs so far, dont overestimate your contribution towards my mortgage and dont make fucking assumptions about me. 31 . 1 . 06 Thank you to all who came to the St. Andrews in the Square gig and The Transatlantic Sessions show at the RCH. I enjoyed both shows, thought the St.Andrews place was a great venue, indeed , I mentioned at the time that for artist and audience alike its good to be somewhere that doesnt reek of piss . Then again, beggars cant be choosers, once you get used to it its not all that bad and they say that drinking your own is greatly salubrious. Monica and Donald were great, as ever.There are more gig offers coming through, I have a lot of you to thank for that and I will post details as soon as I can confirm them, please use the email contact for this because I cant access your addresses otherwise due to retentive Luddite tendancies. I know that the words to Scarecrow Song(see below) are not easy to remember, thats why I posted them, I do realise that there are only a relatively small amount of you anal enough to pay attention but thats not my fault. The musicians at the Transatlantic gig were brilliant, my highlights were Karen, Patti Griffin and her guitarist(great sound), Phil and Alys’ slow air and Mike McGoldricks blistering flute playing . Bruce Molsky sang a great tune and played fiddle at the same time, which I still cant get my head round. I’m always a bit nervous there, there being 2000 punters to potentially fuck it up in front of, but I enjoyed myself and having done a couple of the shows, I thought that crowd-wise, this was the best. Havent read any reviews yet, but I am very wary of them now, ever since I was slaughtered for a show I did at the Arches in the Sunday Herald a couple of years ago. It was by a guy called David Keenan and it was very personal. Besides rubbishing every thing I have ever done he said something about my hair looking like it had been combed by my Dad, quite funny really, but when you look at his photo( under Jazz now) his own hair looks like a burst couch and would greatly benefit from some paternal tonsorials. A couple of minor points; Marc, when I email you it just bounces back, dunno whats up, but I wanted to thank you for your gift . There are a number of meanings for misericord, my preference being; a medieval dagger used to give the death stroke to a wounded foe. 23 . 1 . 06 I’d like to thank everyone who came to the gig in Denholm, to all those who travelled up from England , down from the Central lowlands, across the Spanish main - I had a great night and really enjoyed my time there . I’d like especially to thank Rory for organising it ; a diamond geezer if ever there was one, and Brian and Val for putting me up/ putting up with me. To all who sang along with Scarecrow Song, I know its cheesy but it sounded good from where I was. I gather I’ll be seeing a few of you on Saturday at St. Andrews In The Square and I will require your services again. I should also mention that I’m doing the Transatlantic Sessions gig on Sunday at the RoyalConcert Hall. You give me heart, you people. Thank you 18 . 1 . 06 I’m looking forward to the Denholm concert, you may remember I asked in a previous posting, for a drunken crowd to sing along, er, well, here are the words of the revised song but dont take me too literally on the drunk thang. Scarecrow Song O Boys, what will we do Now the war is over? All the doors are closed Theres no place to go For an old soldier Come, come give the devil his due; He could tell a lie But he cant take away What the Lord gave to you and I Gin from the junipers Whiskey from the rye Beer from the barley And the blood of the vine The blind wind blows a lullaby We dont need no holy water We are made of broken things But we will rise again A laugh, a joke, a drink and a smoke And some tales of the old campaigns Gin from the junipers... We stand against the Gods We will be free Though all hope is gone We soldier on We will have our victory! O Boys, where have you gone? When I find ya, I’ll shoot ya.. Youre cowards You thieves Mercinaries VIVA LA LUCA! Gin from the junipers.. The chorus is the, ‘Gin, whiskey etc.’ I’ll be bringing my dictaphone(Oooer missus). Anybody else looking to set up gigs - I will come where I’m wanted, if you can use the email contact, I’ll get back to you asap. The set list will be the same old shit ,with a few exceptions. See you on Saturday. 12 . 1 . 05 I have had an email disaster, all my contacts, everything, etherised . If you have contacted me in the last fortnight, it no longer exists . I will sort it out by the end of the week . This saga was brought to you by my daughters ipod nano. VERY BAD INDEED. 5 . 1 . 05 Happy new year to all . In response to the person looking for the words of the Helen Adam poem , email me directly and I will send them to you , but I cant publish them . This is a very busy time for me , I’ll try and post what I’m up to and update you on gigs if and when they happen , I am indeed in Karen Matheson(OBE)s’ band when she plays in Paris and elsewhere - check Karens' site for details . I’ll also be playing at the Surgery in Stafford on 12th Feb and at The Tolbooth in Stirling on 31st of March . All gigs will be solo acoustic unless stated . I had some gigs planned in association with the Churches Trust in the South of England for June , but unfortunately these are now cancelled . Your efforts to get me to a town near you are all much appreciated . I will be recording within the next couple of months , dunno when it will end , but hopefully sometime this year . Cant say much about the direction other than that it will have drums on it this time and electric guitar. And its called Miserichord . Which is a variation on the word ‘misericord’ . And the word 'chord' . Big time here I come . Yes indeed . As to my back catalogue - its a suck it and see scenario , everyone will have different opinions about what is best or definitive , they’re all different and the next one will be too . I aim to alienate anyone who has ever liked me , and for the most part , I think I have succeeded quite well but for a few hapless stragglers . To quote myself from my forthcomuing opus ; my heads a sulphur mine my heart is a boulder I was born with a chip on my shoulder and like the devil before me my pitch was queered except that I was’nt pushed I jumped took the plunge and plumped for a solo career 24 . 12 . 05 This is from Gary Bandy after he visited Arras.. The Journey My plane landed on a wet, grey day Disgorging passengers to make their way On the journeys that they had planned; Some going further, for sun and sand, Others seeking culture or romance. I am going back to an older France Where once were craters, trenches and mud; Where my great grandfather gave his blood, Leaving the constant fear and the guns, Leaving a widow and a two year-old son. The British cemetery at Arras is small, His name ˜ one of thousands on the wall Whose mortal remains were never found. The city's houses gather all around And fields of poppies and marble crosses Remind the world of its grievous losses. Have a Good Christmas everyone . 22 . 12 . 05 This one from Rory Bannerman ; my wife and i hope soon to be vying to pop champagne on news of her dying on 'spike', song by elvis prayed that in cold earth she'd soon be laid send maggie's head, and cd, end our sighing This from Drew Nimmo ; The following anecdote relates to the Aeolian Islands where Aeolus gifted the winds to Odysseus and, though slightly south of Jocelyn Square, was the birthplace of Endymion‚s mother, Calyce. I first visited several years ago and have returned every summer since, infected it seems, by a fucked-up strain of mal‚Africa that has long since transcended the fascinating history and savage beauty of the archipelago. The Plastic Finger and a Contribution to Modern English Usage One July evening some 8 years ago, a friend and I were invited by our host‚s uncle to go fishing for cuttlefish, a much vaunted local speciality. The air was very still and the moon absent; perfect conditions for a good catch. The three of us set out in a small boat, dropping anchor half way between the islands of Salina and Lipari. My Italian was adequate, if still in its formative stages, and I was accompanied by Steve, a Geordie who was wholly dependant on an accurate translation of instructions, already quite lost in a distant haze of malvasia wine. The Captain, as he quickly became known, was the type who prized silence above all other virtues until he himself decided to speak. The Captain pulled out an anchor shaped lure of numerous vicious upturned barbs and proceeded to wrap the exposed stem with months old anchovies reeking of burnt hops and marmite. We followed his silent lead and unwound the lures some 100 meters or so into the still water. With a complex web of superstitions abounding in the Sicilian fishing ritual, all questions seemed either inappropriate or intrusive to the task in hand. No information was forthcoming so we followed the Captain‚s movements wordlessly, lifting and lowering the lures at irregular intervals. Waiting. Time evaporated below the stars and several shoals of jellyfish drifted by, pulsating in swathes of pink. The Captain lit a cigarette and began to pull in his line. Retrieving a hundred metre of line required patience, but just as he spat the butt into the sea we saw the tip of the lure rising to the surface. The cuttlefish broke the surface and with a piercing scream, spat water all over us. I wasn‚t aware that cuttlefish screamed and spat, nor that they could be over 3 feet long. Pulling the (very) odd trout out of the White Cart with a mangled worm for bait was rather tame by comparison. “Bene” said the Captain, then threw the line, cuttlefish attached in our direction. “Mettetelo li dentro” he instructed, pointing at a large basin. Between us, we proceeded to gather the mass of tentacles and unhook the tangled beast as best we could. An hour later and 8 cuttlefish to the better, each one bigger and each scream louder than the last, we were positively rising to the task of unhooking. We'd even worked out that the scream was a small matter relating to the powerful expulsion of water from their internal propelling mechanism. The Captain began to talk a little, content perhaps with the night‚s haul. As we prepared our return to shore Steve drew my attention to the Captain‚s thumb. An orange plastic cover like a toughened thimble stretched all the way down. “Ask him what it‚s for” he requested entering the spirit of parley. The Captain grunted, pointed at the writhing mass in the basin then raising his hand in the air, replied wide eyed. “Jesu Cristo. Mordono” “They bite” I translated, incredulous, indicating the bucket full of sea monsters. From that day onwards, any situation concerning the omission of crucial information that might otherwise merit a retort of “It‚s a bit fucking late now!/ I wish I‚d known before ya daft bastard! Now you fucking tell me” etc., was supplanted by our group of friends with the retort: “That‚s the Plastic Finger!” Two years ago I even overheard a complete stranger at Stansted Airport using the very same expression. But while it‚s lexical longevity is guaranteed in our unwritten dictionary of inane idiomatic usage and beyond, the story doesn‚t finish there. Last summer some 8 years later, I found myself on another late night cuttlefish hunt, now a confident dilettante, primed but for the second time in my life, cautiously aware of my precious little fingers. We were having no luck and to pass the time we exchanged fishing tales. As you do. I recounted my previous and single experience to the skipper slipping in a few well placed words of local dialect and, suddenly noting he didn‚t seem to be wearing one, the now legendary story of the Plastic Finger. “Balle!” he said roaring with laughter. That‚s ‘Absolute bollocks!’, roughly translated into the Queen‚s. On returning to dry land I poured myself a large Malvasia and was morally compelled to reveal the truth to my mates, laid out on the terrace, in different stages of inebriation. They digested the news quietly, then a hand was placed on my shoulder and a voice replied softly: “ Now that my friend, really IS the Plastic Finger.” The slumbering shoals of cuttlefish many miles away and hundreds of fathoms deep awoke and joined in the roar of laughter. 20 . 12 . 05 Alan McGinley song from the fat bearded folkie archive NB(His description) REFLECTIONS OF A CLYDEBUILT MAN I'm a Clydebuilt Man, A Clydebuilt Man That river flows through my heart and bones And when I go into the Great Unknown I'll be freewheeling down the Kilbowie Road. I suck and I blow I reap what I sow I've got rivets in my bones and a tumour in my stones I see my reflection in the cold black Clyde Seek my redemption in the sweet cheap wine. When I came out of that primordial slime I looked around me and I felt fine I saw those Old Kilpatrick Hills And I knew I had some time to kill So I built a ship and I sailed away But I only stayed away a couple of days Came back home and settled down In my Clydeside town. Cheques cashed today A lifetime to pay As nails turn to rust And breath turns to dust Atlantis no more It sank to the floor Of that old river bed of that old river bed. Boys United Never Die Young Trapped inside this Iron Lung Waiting for the rising sun But the rising sun it never comes. But a new day's coming,it's Praise to Jesus He's gonna fill the river with Bacardi Breezers. Change that water into wine Build a New Jerusalem on the Clyde. I'm a Clydebuilt Man A Clydebuilt Man That river flows Through my heart and bones. This one comes from Adolf Goriup... I'd like to enter the competition with a pleasant NIGHT'S STROLL THROUGH THE FOREST: It is dark, no moon is shining in the night sky and a light drizzle is caressing my face. Somewhere behind the mountains there is lightning but in our valley the stars are blinking amidst the clouds. The air is cool and full of the sweet scents of the forest, mushrooms and conifer twigs, wood and herbs. There‚s the sound of the drizzle falling on the leaves and branches and I can hear my own footsteps. Are these old trees speaking to me or is it just my imagination. One thing is plain as a pikestaff: If they were willing to talk to me they could tell me wondrous stories. But actually I can hear voices, voices inside my head... I take a rest on a bench in a clearing and I watch the misty veils coming up from the valley and catching the village on the opposite slope in a shining cloud of light. Then I put on my headphones and start listening to the hauntingly beautiful Gaelic chants of ancient time. Now my mind is resting and the outside world seems to fall back in sleep as well. Suddenly I hear quick paws running by, it must be my daily companion, the fox. He‚s gorgeous with his proud and bushy tail and his beautiful snout. I couldn‚t see him properly, he was too quick, but he must've passed by within a few yards before vanishing in the shadows. You have to be wary and quick to catch his sight. Sometimes though he keeps watching you in a safe distance and with a last glimpse I bid him farewell. 19 . 12 . 05         Thank you again to all who took part in the SKOL competition , it was good reading the various excerpts of your own lives , viewpoints , bugbears etc. I know I’m probably biased but I thought the standard was unusually high . Anyway , I hope you all have a happy and peaceful Christmas , I will be recording in the next couple of months and will preview some new stuff at the forthcoming gigs in Denholm , Glasgow and Stafford . As promised , I will publish the winners ; here are the first two , this one from Robert Dear.. Five years ago my semi professional hobby was recording and producing bands, one guy who came my way was this chap called James, very talented loads of confidence if not a little naive. Anyway with my friend Nigel Gray (The Police producer)we recorded several songs for him which were a vast improvement on his Tascam 4 track recordings, Nigel recorded the majority of songs at his studio in Cornwall as well as working "pro bono" he put him up at his house for free. We got some really good results put on a show at the Water Rats and invited some of those lovely record company types, lots of interest but no cigar, we laboured away for another 6 months getting the same response "oh he's really really good" we then ended our endeavour coming to the conclusion that at the time "boy Bands were the only people getting signed. James Blunt is now signed selling Cds by the bucket load, however, at a price, he has been pretty much manufactured into a package where his songwriting has been limited and made to write with "Hit Maker" Guy Chambers etc. The edge & rawness has been taken away from him, I do not say this out of resentment but really from the perspective of what the guy could of been. His bank balance is doing nicely though!! This from Richard Prescott ... The missus loves Rick Astley and insisted that we went to see his show at the Shepherd's Bush Empire a couple of weeks ago. He's changed she said. He sings covers and jazz, you'll love it she said. Oh look there's Pete Waterman in the SBE bar, take my picture with him she said! Excuse me Pete do you mind...............? Picture taken I've gone red but not as red as when Rick walks out and is met by screaming original fans and their mums. Gig over (1 hour and 29 minutes and 14 seconds). He was great wasn't he she said, especially the acoustic version of 'Never Gonna Give you Up' she said. 'Erm ok I suppose the voice isn't bad'. I said. Oh look she said as we went past 'Bush House' isn't that the venue of the James Grant gig you missed. The hair and camel's back break in one instance. Susie 'yes' she said 'I love you but **** ***' I said. Oh she said. 15 . 12 . 05 Roy Keane is a great player and I think its absolutely fantastic that hes’ signed for Celtic . We talk about wanting to go further , to compete with the best ; here is someone who simply will not stand for performances like the one against Dunfermline . He has spoken out against what was clearly bollocks in the past and I admire him for it , he was honest about his own brutality and has paid for it . I dont have a clue what hes’ like really , other than having an idea that he doesnt suffer fools gladly , but I am willing to surmise that he will do well in the Scottish Premier league and can help Celtic progress in Europe . Celtic have been playing well but lets be honest - they’re not that good really . I know this season is a work in progress and things have gone ok , but I think Roy Keane can make them better . The entries for the SKOL competition have been great , I’ve really enjoyed reading them , I’ll choose the winners on Sunday and will publish them next week . If you’re not kosher with that please say . The winners will not necessarily be chosen on artistic or aesthetic merit , if you dont win , doesnt mean I dont like your thang . 12 . 12 . 05 The first record I ever bought was Cum on Feel The Noize and I was fortunate to meet Noddy Holder and tell him . He and Lemmy came to see Friends Again at the Marquee in London(sic). Lemmy thought that we were alright but that we really lacked an image . He suggested that we all wore buffalo horns and came onto the stage out of a gigantic vagina . I really think he could have been onto something there . Noddy also gets large Brownie points for championing My Love Lives In A Dead House on Radio 1s’ Roundtable . He said , ‘ THAT IS A NUMBER ONE RECORD ! ‘ God bless him , he was only out by about a hundred places . Ahem , anyone who wants to give me a personal message should use the email contact section . The next and probably the last competition (I have no more free CDs) is for 7 signed copies of Strange Kind Of Love . Just send an email with your name and address and a story , a poem , a song , a dream , a thought   . As pretentious or ascetic , as funny or as sad , clever/stupid as you like . I will publish the winners . Unless you dont want me to . You have until the 17th December . 9 . 12 . 05 I have the winners , if you are reading this you are too late . Thanks to all who entered , will post the CDs next week . Will have one more giveaway before Christmas featuring 7 signed copies of Strange Kind Of Love . And a partdrige in a pear tree . Ho ho ho 8 . 12 . 05 Can I just take this opportunity to apologise for any tawdriness regarding the artwork on the gratis CDs I have sent /will send ? Really sorry about that . 8 . 12 . 05 As promised , I have seven autographed copies of All you need is Love and Money to give away . All you have to do is (email) tell me why the fuck you would want it in the first place . Previous winners need not apply for this one . You will have another chance to get free swag soon , I’ve got that Christmas feelin’. I’m playing St. Andrews in the Square 28th January as part of an acoustic affair singer songwriter thang , had intended to do a bigger gig but nothing doing , it will be me and my guitar , and Benny Gallagher and Carol Laula (I think) . I ‘ve got quite a few gigs with Karen Matheson next year , check Ks’ website karenmatheson.co.uk for details . On one of your posts someone mentioned about a song called Debt . Not sure what you meant . Did you think that it was bad or good that I did this and was willing to subject people to the lyrics ? Thought Debt a good title , not neccesarily about what you think or to be taken literally . There is a line that says , ‘Why do poor people pretend they’re rich ? Why do the rich always tell you that they’re skint ?’ The notion of poor/rich being subjective as is the source and nature of their wealth . But the chorus is ; All I want is a girl and a job where I can do some good in this world Just to feel that its not over yet I am not a saint and I’m not looking for an angel Just someone who can help me forget You have no idea how anal I can get about these things , you have me paranoid about a song that has never been recorded . Had an email from one of my friends in the North ( please refrain from mutton lovin’orientated comments) asking about the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen . As I no longer have an agent having parted company with the curiously named   ‘Active’, I have been contacting venues / promoters with a view to playing next year . I’ll be playing the Tolbooth in Stirling and the Peebles Art Centre , however , the Lemon Tree were not terribly receptive to the concept of me coming to play , which is a pity because I always enjoyed playing there . 2 . 12 . 05 To wear the willow is to go into mourning . Fuller says , “The Willow is a sad tree, whereof such as have lost their love make their mourning garlands . “ The psalmist teels us that the Jews in captivity “ hanged(sic) their harps upon the willows” in sign of mourning . (cxxxvii) Casting the glass is a method of fortune telling using egg white . Taking the shilling or Kings’ shilling refers to joining the army . 28 . 11 . 05 The name Wullie has waned in popularity over the years . I remember being up in Castlemilk recently and seeing a driving instructors car bearing just that legend , ‘WULLIE’ , flanked by two wee L signs . Pure class . 28 . 11 . 05 Re; songs I would like to cover Trees And Flowers by Stawberry Switchblade Do Your Thing by Isaac Hayes Winter In America by Gil Scott Heron Dont Let The Sunshine Fool You by Townes Van Zandt The Twelfth Of Never - dunno who wrote it , Johnny Mathis did it Ironically , I would love to do Wild Horses and I would have loved to have done Tim Hardins’ Dont Make Promises but Paul Weller just murdered it . Fire by Bruce Springsteen Bird On The Wire by Leonard Cohen Freddies Dead by Curtis Mayfield Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers Sugar Sugar by The Archies And I Love You So by Don MacLean (I think ) When I Leave The World Behind ; an Al Jolson song by Rogers and Hart Feel Like Goin Home by Charlie Rich Get Out My Life Woman ; a Lee Dorsey song by Alain Touissant 26 . 11 . 05 Not signing on , just looking . Not tragic , just moaning , thought comment about alsatian humorous . Hirpling down a vista one side tender poppies the other a gunmetal grey sea stretching from Pathos to Bathos .Sometimes think whats the point , but then there never really was or should be . Often sick of flaccid self introspection and long for longhair and guitar solos again but then sickness could be cured with a nice big dollop of money . Yum . Shallow really . Squalid .Think that to give without wanting or expecting to receive noble yet unrealistic as historically patronage was essential for production of art . Yes going grey but follicles still productive although distressed at the idea that only the nose and ears keep growing as we get older , still , got a lot to be thankful for . Midlife crisis due round about now . Looking forward to it . Sabre must be top alsatian name in West of Scotland . 25 . 11 . 05 There are eight winners( I found another three) , I will post your copies off today . Might have another competition next week due to the blistering response ( in the high tens ) . I have copies of All You Need Is and SKOL and I’m just desperate to give them away . It has been said that I am somewhat keen to disassociate myself from the past , but no , not really , I just dont want to stay there . Our first album reflected what I was about or into at the time , its not my favourite and I feel it is unlikely to age well , but I did get a chance to work with Tom Dowd (RIP)who produced Aretha , Eric Clapton , Rod Stewart .We thought we’d hear some great stories but Tom was very circumspect about people he worked with and thats cool . If a tad dull . He was a gentleman . SKOL is very well put together , I think the songs are strong , but again it sounds very much of its time , which unfortunately was the eighties. We worked with Gary Katz (Steely Dan) , one of the best geezers you could ever meet , a brilliant storyteller and an extraodinarily fastidious producer . Dogs In The Traffic is my favourite love and money record , but I find it still painful to listen to , because of what it took to make it . I dont wanna talk bout’ it... 23 . 11 . 63 A literal/lateral translation of Johnnys Not Here would imply that the then president , incognito , impregnated the heroine of the song who sought him out before collapsing in St. Judes Church in Crow Road and giving birth impromptu stylee . Said heroine being my mother , in the song of course , what would that make today ? There are two left . Come on you fuckwits . 22 . 11 . 63 RIPJFK . Ah yes , cryptically celebrated in the 2nd song of the third album ; I was his bastard son dont ya know . If you want to win a copy of said album( there are 5 autographed )email me in two words whats so special about tommorrow . Your predictions have been remarkably accurate re; Saturdays game . Dont actually think Celtic played that well , if one of Jeffers attempts had gone in , it might have been different . Then again , probably not . Graeme Spiers(no relation to harmonica genuis) puts it quite succinctly ; how many Rangers players would get a game for Celtic ? My brother bought me Pyjamarama for my birthday some time ago when it was in the pop charts and I thought it was shite . I preffered Mud , Slade and Suzi Q at the time . I was only in retrospect I came to realise how brilliant and sonically coruscating it is . I agree with the comments about Ferry and his arsehole son . On a bit of a downer at the moment , every year I convince myself to give it one more year , but I dunno , its difficult... Just back from the job centre or Jobcentreplus or Jobcentrextreme , the computers were down so nothin’ doin’ . Maybe I’ll just give it one more year , I’ve got this song... At the Jobsuberportal there was a geezer with an Alsatian , ‘Sabre . Mere . Doon .’ When I was about ten , a bunch of us decided to form a band , unconcerned that none of us could play an instrument . But if you had a guitar , you were in . It was called Sabre and guy called Wullie Lannigan was the leader. Wullie came in one day with this song called , ‘If I Fell.’ Although it was all centered round one chord , we all thought it was brilliant and it didnt dawn on me till many years later while watching A Hard Days’Night that Wullie had’nt actually written it . 4 . 11 . 05 There was a brief Friends Again reunion at a Love and Money gig some eons ago , when we performed Honey At The Core . Shame you missed it . I think I was a lot happier just being a guitarist , life was less complicated . Chris is a very talented individual indeed , The Bathers made some great records , check em’ out if you havent already . I’ve been stuck on a song all week , cant make it work , I’m going back to it now... 27 . 10 . 05 Monica Queen will be playing The Goat in Glasgow on the 10 th November and the 8th December , go and see her , you wont be disappointed . As to the recent posts on the message board , you can say what you like , its not off limits , I’d much rather there was activity/debate of some sort than pointless hosannahs . He who shall not be named ; can I call you Frank , Crispin , Beauchamp ? Do your thing , you are correct , I am not beyond criticism . However , as I have said before , marketing costs money ; let me give you a brief illustration . This year I had a gig in the Bush Hall in London and a gig in Manchester the night before , the London gig was well attended , the Manc. show was not , but the guy who put me on at the Academy is a fan and has been very supportive in the past . I took a band because I thought it was important to try to capture what Holy Love was live and in the hope that we could maybe get some press along ... this did not happen , unfortunately. For the Manchester show I got paid £400 , for London £1000 . Once I had paid musicians , accommodation , Time Out advert (£400) , transport , drugs , alchohol , prostitutes etc. I was left with a debt of £500 . When I played with Love And Money all tours were subsidised by the record company and sank neatly into our overall astronomical debt . I might add that we were incredibly fortunate that this was the case . Only really big acts make money touring and thats mostly merchandising (this is not a cue for some fuck to mention t-shirts again). I wholeheartedly concur with the guy who says his family would be first in line for any distibution of wedge - I am not a poverty case , but I am still trying to make a living as a musician . I am not in the position where I have made my fortune and have nothing better to do - I feel that I still have something to offer , that I have not found my zenith yet . I regard myself as being very lucky that I can still do what I love but in the next couple of years I think there will be seismic changes in the music business and I guess I’ll just have to see what happens . Love and Money were not as successful as some people believe , at our peak we sold around 250,000 records worldwide . Lets be realistic - the idea of fans organising gigs , why would I/we be trying to facillitate that if I could pick and choose venues or do what I pleased ? Its just a way of trying to make it work for artists and fans both and there is a kind of socialism about it that could be healthy in the long term . I will say no more on this matter . No pity . No sense of injustice . Save these for people /causes that really need them . 21 . 10 . 05 Lets get this straight ; nobody owes me anything and vice versa . Anybody who tries to put on a show , like Clive , Rory , stephen m , Truman Falls , others on this site, I am extremely grateful to . The same goes for anyone who hassles radio /press on my behalf . The idea of getting fans to organise gigs is not an original one , it basically means I can come and play where I’m wanted , I know a lot of other musicians in the same boat .I have just parted company with an agency who regarded it as not worth their while . I have contacted other venues/agents /promoters with the same opinion . In your statement you say that you know no shortage of venues blah..(you mention four). I am in the process of contacting venues to program shows for next year , The Lemon Tree and The Tolbooth are on my list and I will most likely do a Glasgow show . I will also be playing/praying in four churches in England in the Summer and will probably do another London show , I will post details when I have them . Dont accuse me of sitting on my arse doing nothing , you may like my music , whatever , but dont assume you know me or what I’m about . Thank you for your support and have a nice day . 17 . 10 . 05 I’ve never heard the song , ‘Serious’ , I was thinking more of an old Tom Waits , Randy Newman...I dont have a problem with using the line because I think the phrase itself has passed into colloquialism . It is not unmistakeably specific like ...er...’Life is a minestrone’...That is to say I dont think Bernie Taupin/Alice originated it and contextually its completely different . Remember this when I’m getting my arse (p)sued . It was a fair result , but why did they revert to the long ball game again/not play Maloney from the start ? 14 . 10 . 05 I cant be specific about influences or direction of the next record . I’m happy(sic) with what I’ve written this week , next week could be different . The two things I’ve posted on this page ; Scarecrow Song and My Fathers Coat ( pop charts watch out )are both contenders . I havent finished Scarecrow yet , I am stuck on one line and I ‘m slightly concerned that I may have unwittingly plagiarised something else , if anybody knows please tell me , the line is...’a laugh , a joke , a drink and a smoke.’.. That is to say , if I know I’ve done it , I’m ok with that . The whole thing is a process I dont care to analyse ; superstition , dread of drought , if it aint broke blah blah . I have two songs on Karens' next record due for release in a fortnight , I Will Not Wear The Willow and Singing In The Dark . It sounds great , its a very traditional oriented record so I had to tailor what I’ve written more than I would usually , but I’m really proud of both of the tunes , particularly The Willow . I wrote it in the style( or so I imagined) of a murder ballad but with the twist that it is from a female perspective . I know that this is not unique , but it is still unusual and I’ve never really written anything like that before . I have a ticket for the game tomorrow , should be very interesting , I am saddened to hear Zurawski is crocked , but I still think Celtic can edge it . Bought the new Neil Young and Arvo Part , love them both . 3 . 10 . 05 I have rather an odd request . I need a drunken crowd . I’m thinking that the gig in Stafford in Feb would be good for it . Perhaps if you just drink heavily towards the end of the night in order that you can still shut the fuck up during most of the gig , dunno... Basically I just need you to sound a bit drunk and to sing along with the chorus of Scarecrow Song (see earlier diary entry) . Its easy , I’ll teach you it on the night . You’d all be on the next record .. I might do it at a Glasgow show too and mix it in , I could’nt really do the drunk thing and leave out Glasgow . Whad’ya think? 29 . 9 . 05 Was over in Jura at the weekend with Karen playing the festival there . I had never been before and I will certainly be back , it is a supernally beautiful place .Thank you to everyone who made it such a great gig , but if I ever hear another joke about the paps (of Jura)I wont be responsible for my actions . I’m writing for my next record just now , I tend to walk around in a dwam , staring at the pavement a lot and gazing enigmatically (or so I imagine it to be ; but it will probably seem just glaikit )into the middle distance , if you see me dont worry , just ignore me , I’ll go away soon. Scorceses’ documentary on Dylan , No Direction Home , was one of the best things I’ve ever seen on television . It struck me that that kind , or perhaps any kind , of genius must be endowed with a superhuman capacity for memory and also the ability to manipulate details of that memory to your own end . ‘The ghost of electricity howls in the bones of her face’, is perhaps my favourite line from any song and I would argue that he should be awarded the Nobel prize for literature . I keep getting emails about gigs , but sadly it seems , that nobody wants me but you and you are not a legion , of you there are not many .. 13 . 9 . 05 I f you want to contact me for any reason (prospective concerts , guitar related bollocks , beauty tips , etc.) use the email section on this site . I reply to all emails sent . Regarding those of you who use the site as a football forum or whatever else you want - rock on - I dont mind . I heard a great story about Jock Stein - tensions were running high before a particular old firm game , there was much torpour and sectarian related incident . Kelly , the director came into the dressing room before the match preaching peace , fairness and respect towards our fellow men...when he left the room Jock said , “..Right , you can forget that fuckin’shite..” 2 . 9 . 05 my fathers coat in darkness wrought... someone had drawn a swastika on his stone I stood with my beer in the rain/radiation heard a feral moan I thought must be a fox but on the way back to the bus I saw two drunk goths fucking on a sarcophagus broken things bum notes walking home in my fathers coat the day started well got up at twelve my head was clear and I felt like making money ah but ; and heres the rub from the bookies to the pub in a stall in the market square I saw his old threadbare mohair and I choked out the oath in my throat stood staring at my fathers coat above the specs and the hearing aids old porn and razor blades like a ghost hovering over the detritus of a nation I felt the freight of the past swing and hit me the woman said try it on I said its alright I’ll take it I know that it fits me she said ok son whatever floats your boat I walked away in my fathers coat the one thing that he taught me I confess was acquiesce acquiesce acquiesce what a day what a day but a day like any other I thought I’d seen the back of him I smell like some bad joke that the rains invoked some wall eyed scene of brilliantine whisky nicotine in the culverts and the crags run both the disease and the antidote and I turn the key in my fathers coat 29 . 8 . 05 I met Jerry Douglas as the lady says , during the Transatlantic Sessions , we had a few late night sing songs and got on well together , he is the undisputed king of the Dobro and a good geezer to boot . Regarding the question about my voice/singing , I dont do exercises , although I probably should . In L&M days the night before I did a vocal I would generally get hammered and smoke cigars because I always thought my voice sounded better that way , we used to refer to it as ‘vocal maintainance’.                I started playing guitar when I was about 13 , I played along with records constantly . Traffic albums were great for this (The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys/Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory) because nothing much would happen for about 5 minutes during tracks so I would solo all over the shop . I loved Keef but Jimmy Page was God . I bought Zeppelin 2 ne'er having heard them and from the opening cough and the wondrous riff of Whole Lotta Love it was truly an epiphany .                 Ironically , Ashley The A&R guy at Phonogram in ye olde days once phoned me and asked if I’d be interested in writing a couple of songs with Robert Plant ( he had been to see us a few times) , I told him thanks but no thanks , I was seriously up myself in those days you see , my balls were bigger but my brain...these days of course its the opposite and to be honest I ‘m not sure which I prefer .                For those of you who use the site as a football forum , I hope that Hearts win the league , Celtic and Rangers are both shite . 20 . 8 . 05 Treasure And Treason On the sea the sailor deams of the land On the land he dreams of the sea As he pulls up the sheets and closes his eyes His ship is laid by the lea Its out of focus now Out of focus now But sometimes it still looks good to me I watch you rock and sway in the magic rhythm of love Ignite and flicker away In the magic rhythm of love Redeem yourself to me His hands are cold and callous His tongue is a rat in a sewer I am a tree You are a feather I am the Son You are the weather And its beautiful when duty calls And you fall limp into the arms of a hoblin compromise I watch you rock and sway.. On the sea the sailor deams of the land On the land he dreams of the sea The map he charts in his anchorless heart Leads him to the same quay You are the dream I am just a dreamer I watch you rock and sway... Redeem yourself Dreamscape Angel I look at your hair now Black and long It makes me weak It makes me strong In my patience In my sense of dread Yet you sleep , sleep like the dead Dreamscape angel pale as a wraith In love and danger Doubt and faith Dreamscape angel Hewn from the red Put my heart over my head When I’m rolling on the misery trail Fudging my ego Chasing my tail Be my harbour when I sail on the wine The song in my head plays in carnival time Dreamscape angel... Put yourself into my hands I will put myself into your hands Blow away the dust Kick away the crutches And we will share the spoils We’ll soar like swallows Fall like drunken madrigals Take my will , smash it on the rocks Your kiss is a burglar that can pick any lock Like time corrodes Like madmen suffer We were born to be lovers Dreamscape angel... 12 . 8 . 05 scarecrow song gin from the junipers whisky from the rye beer from the barley and the blood of the vine the blind wind blows a lullaby we dont need no holy water o boys where have you gone ? when I find ya I’ll shoot ya youre pathetic youre cheap bastards and creeps viva la luca 4 . 8 . 05 Interesting message the other day . Although I appreciate your compliments regarding my talents , I dont appreciate being told to get the finger out , phone up Jools Holland , get on to Later and generally go on and achieve the success I surely deserve and bring an end the age of the Sloth. I am not trying to get fans to organise gigs because I’ve given up , its simply being realistic and trying to reach people . I dont sell that many records etc. ; see previous diary , therefore agents are not banging on my door looking for 20% of jack . ‘Its called maketing’ . Marketing costs money . If you want to make an investment to this end call my record company . I write because I have to , there are a lot of people in the same boat , good musicians , artists , writers , I am not sitting around toying with my dirk , feeling sorry for myself . Admittedly there are occasional forays.. I should’nt have to explain about Later and how there is one good music show on TV and everybody wants to do it and how this would render my chances somewhere near fuck all of getting on it (although thanks for emailing them ) . Do I have the audience I deserve ?Perhaps I do . 30 . 7 .05         My Grandfather may or may not have cut off his farmers , dunno , never met him , but I am not a liar , more an apocryphal disseminator . I usually just tell that story to wake up older punters who may have dozed off during my performances . Thank you for your further product suggestions . I fear another bad result today ... 28 . 7 . 05 O dear , its going to be a long hard season . Ten (sic)people have requested t-shirts , I’ll give it another week ... thing is I dont think I’d zone in to someones website asking for a t-shirt , but if I could just get your interest there are some great new products I have in mind that could really change your life . FAILURE (the scent) is a winner , trust me , and I’ve been working on an over forties range ; Holy Love nose clippers / ear hair strimmers and a new range of crepe bandages that are practically invisible under your tights . Pile ointment , why suffer in silence ? Try Sawdust in My Pants . My grandfather cut his off with a razor blade but thats taking it too far ... Just email me requesting the product that suits your needs and put eg. nose trimmer yes please and I’ll get back to you in the next couple of years if I can be arsed , or alternatively , fuck off and leave me alone . Incidentally , the Virgin Mary I spoke of was not lifesize , you are so pedantic you people . I should have made this clear ; it was approx. a foot and a half in length and a foot across because the bottom had four candle holders , it was plastic . The one I smashed was plaster and was about two foot tall , I dont do metric equivalents . San Antone , yeah love to but no fans , sorry . What song....? Is it Johnny Cash or something from Darkness On The Edge Of Town ? 19 . 7 . 05 I was helping my Dad move house today and spent half the time looking at old photographs , there was one from my primary school and happily I could still put names to all the faces...there was a girl I couldnt place for a while and then I remembered ; Anne-Marie McKenna . I remembered because one day when the teacher was out the class we were fighting and I booted her into a massive statue of the Virgin Mary , smashing it to bits . Straight to hell . The teacher , Miss Durning , came in as I stood open mouthed over the smashed Virgin . I thought she’d go mental but she just looked really hurt and somehow that was worse...anyway , there was a happy ending , because thankfully we were not short of statues of the Virgin Mary at home and the next day I arrived penitently at school with a monstrous replacement and a letter of apology from my mother . A shitload of Hail Marys was also required ... Some geezer pulled me up in town , berating me , in a nice way , about Holy Love t-shirts or the lack of them , I’m sorry but these things just dont hold my interest , but I promised , so here it is , send me an email , t-shirt , yes , or something of that ilk and if there are enough of you I will do it . If not then all I can suggest is that you do it yourself , maybe I can send you the artwork or something . I suggested previously and I believe there were about five of you and frankly thats pretty bleak , phoning t-shirt man ;                    “ How many are you wanting son ?”                    “ Er , five . And you wonder why I’m so fucking miserable . 18 . 7 . 05 I’m back , reinvigorated and full of empty promise(s) . Yes , I will come and play in Leeds , email me if you are serious about it , I will come wherever I’m wanted , for I am the Lord of the Dance Settee . Of course music will never die , just being cheeky , but you only need to walk down the street to know that we are truly fucked as a civilisation and our lives are more or less a sham . I’ll post again in a couple of days because frankly I’m very hungover and I fear I’ll become excessively maudlin , or even more so than usual... Klute had the most beautiful photography , truly exquisite ,... I’m havering , goodbye . 1 . 7 . 05 Sorry I havent written here for a while , I’ve been really busy working on Karens record and writing ... I’m going away for a couple of weeks , in the meantime , discuss ; is music dead ? 20 .6 . 05 I had a great time on the Isle Of Man , I’d like to thank Steve , Paul , Chris and Debbie for all their help and kindnesses . I thought Truman Falls were excellent , great singing and musicianship and a hatful of uncommonly lovely melodies ; I recommend that you check out their album at www.trumanfalls.co.uk . Also nice to see Clive there ...the gig itself was a rather strained affair , I kept asking people to shut the fuck up , but this only served to spur them on to greater heights of din . I dont want to do an autopsy , you know the sketch , what I’m about , what my music is and that it has to be a shared experience , a communion etc. blah but I’m glad I seemed to reach some of the audience and I thank them for their attentiveness and patience . I met a lot of very nice people and I’d like to come back and play for them sometime . Its interesting to hear that some of you would like me to get noisy again , to , as it were , ‘rock’ . Maybe I will and maybe I wont , but you can be sure that I wont select a group of love and money songs in order to facilitate this . I retain what is relevant to me and my music , I am not a (senti)mentalist . The belly dancers thing could work though , but you should understand by now , surely , that I am not in the business of making people happy and that if I do occasionally , it is purely accidental and I apologise for this . 16 . 6 . 05 Thanks to all who came to the ABC gig . It wasnt my favourite , but I’m sure they’ll sort it out , its early days for the venue , I dont want to indulge myself in a litany of its bad points . Thought Fraser and Donald were great and I’m glad some of you enjoyed it . Before the gig I was away Ardrishaig way recording with Karen , we were working with a guy called Donal Lunny , folkies will know this name . In line with the handful of truly exceptional musicians I’ve worked with , a la Jerry Douglas , Jeff Pocaro ...he always put the song first and has an uncanny habit of doing the right thing . Top dude . I’m off to the Isle they call , ‘man’ , on Saturday , looking forward to it , see y’all there . 9 . 6 . 05 At the Sightill concert , while I was playing my last song twenty belly dancers appeared , jangling their wares militantly in appreciation . My ‘career’ is becoming increasingly more surreal , one week Showaddywaddy , belly dancers the next . Some of the belly dancers introduyced themselves after the show and suggested they could come on tour with me ..., I’m giving it some serious thought .... One of the harem even took me aside and asked me privately if she could make me a nice big pot of soup . As to the t-shirts , I am lazy and easily distracted , I will try and organise it . Did somebody say t-shirts? The tuning thing ; what I meant was , where your D string is replace it with an A guage , where your G string is replace it with a D guage , therefore the guages would be , starting from the thickest ; EAADBE . The guitar should then be tuned , again from the thickest ; DAFsharpDAD . The majority of the songs on Holy Love are in this tuning , most of them capo-ed . Motherwell ; burn in Hell . Bring back Willie Pettigrew . I’m totally into the Strachan thing , I like the guy and I think that he’ll be good for Celtic , if he gets some money to spend . As far as I know the ABC is a seated venue . 3 . 6 . 05 Dont know much about the Sightill thang cept I’ll be on between three and five , its free and no, its not in Edinburgh . I dont buy my shirts from a big collar specialist or Harry Hill seconds shop , just regular shops . After I wore a spotty shirt years ago in the Halleluiah Man video the first couple of rows at gigs were the spotty shirt brigade . Is there a similar thing in the offing ? 2 . 6 . 05 I’m playing a short set at Sighthill International Festival on Saturday afternoon ... see y’all there... Lips like Ether just came as a kind of stream of consciousness...she knows who she is , not sure that I did...song worked out good though . East Kilbride - thanks to all who made the effort , whether you have your own teeth or not . I agree that travelling to places outwith central Glasgow seems to be anathema to most people for some reason , the thing about FAILURE was meant to be funny , dont worry . I do think its a good name for my scent range when I become famous and ..yes , women seem to want to make me soup for some reason , not ideal really . 31 . 5 . 05 East Kilbride was very quiet , it was’nt especially well advertised but still , it was a bit grim even for my liking , verging on the Why bother at all with this fucking bollocks ? We were sharing a dressing room with Showaddywaddy ( sic) , 5 of the 6 original members apparently . I have a copy of Three Steps To Heaven and I can remember the singer having three pairs of shades on on TOTP . Nice . They seemed like a nice bunch of guys , happily devouring the vol au vents and processed chicken satay sticks before their cod liver oil tablets . Ah yes , in that dressing room.... what was that smell , it seems I’ve always known it , since the days when my very senses were in their nascency ; slightly cloying and sickly , incense and fag ash and vomited Saturday nights , chips and Vesta curries and Vimto , Ralgex and burning dog with a disguising dollop of patchouli oil... I could bottle it and start my own parfum range to rival Britney Spears et al ; and I would call it FAILURE . 23 . 5 . 05 Gutted . This site has turned into a football forum , what have I done ? I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting the site of late , I’ve been a bit busy trying to write the next record , I promise , more poetry and feigned erudition , enough of all this shite.... The thing is , I feel partly responsible... I live very near Martin O’Neil and I met him , I thought fortuitously , yesterday , on his way to the game... I wished him all the best and told him what a fantastic job he’d done . He was very gracious . But little did he know he was being incorporated into a great Jonah-like litany of losers , there are so many people whos careers/lives have been going swimmingly well , well that is , until they met me ; even a brief association , a simple hello , can send your star a-tumblin’ . I should’ve known better . Sorry about that . The moral is ; stay away from me . I’m not being paranoid . Anyway , this is the last I’ll say , well done Eck and Rangers...come to think of it just after the last time I met him he nearly got the sack... 14 . 5 . 05 The old ABC picture house in Glasgow has been turned into a venue and I’ve been asked to play at the opening on June 12th . Tickets will be on sale soon . Dont let the sunshine fool you , tis’ another convening of the Church Of The Very Sad . The Love And Money rarities thing should be out later this year I hope , dont quote me on that though . Thanks again for all your emails and messages . As regards the TV show that Hue And Cry were on ; dont be silly . 6 . 5 . 05 I had voted Labour all my life until last time , when I voted SNP , this year I voted for the LibDems , although I¹d always thought of them as the party with a fencepost up its arse , I wasnt voting for the Tony party because I didnt want war and the SNP have gone awry since John McSwinney . I liked to convince myself that a lot of Labour candidates were still Socialist at heart but I think these are being eradicated . I preferred all the lumpy , grumpy old men of the seventies like Michael Foot , Tony Benn to todays lot of charlatans . I never have and never will vote Tory . The Labour party currently hold the seat in my constituency . East Kilbride , yeah , I'd forgotten about that , I'm playing with Karen , and I'm the support , so come along... 5 . 5 . 05 On the subject of gigs , I used to love playing Barrowlands in Glasgow , its just a brilliant place to play . My least favourite gig was one in Castlemilk , where I used to live . I played for about an hour and fifteen minutes and the response was so tepid , that I thought I’d better just fuck off . There were curmudgeonly dribbles suggesting that an encore was not on the cards , this is generally a rule , if they clap , shout , stamp ; then go back on , if they are being drowned out by the sound of pool balls ; go away . And then people were very angry that I didnt play for longer . And I mean VERY angry . One nice young fellow threatened to torch our van , others just offered physical violence and abuse . Not good . We are thinking of putting together an album of rarities and b-sides , I have found quite a lot of unreleased tracks that I’d completely forgotten about , I ‘ll keep you posted on this... Going out to vote now.. 30 . 4 . 05 Thank you to everyone who came to Stafford , I enjoyed my stay there , thanks again Clive for organising it . It was a particularly nice day , I had radio Scotland on all the way down ; if its any consolation to my dwindling Rangers based fans I’m almost certain Bellamy will be gone come the end of the season , still , we should enjoy and appreciate his skills while hes’ here , dont you think ? The song in question on the bootleg ( you naughty boy ) is called Amaranth (see dictionaries and Greek mythology) , it was recorded but never released . If I remember rightly it was a blend of Bowie and The Mamas And Papas . Say no more . Actually , I quite liked it , dont know if its gone or if I have a version , I ‘m sorry , I must get some more stuff to post on the download section . This month , I promise . There was another song that night called Dogs In The Traffic(sic) which sounded great live but sadly when we were in the studio we sounded like a Stones tribute band . Did anybody read Simon Hoggarts’ brilliant sketch on Tony Blair in Fridays’ Guardian ? 18 . 4 . 05 To settle any debates about lyrics , here are the Thrawn Glory words as I promised several years ago . The guitar tunings are bracketed at the end of each song . I will get around to more downloads , I promise , I’ve been a bit busy of late ... Minus Ten All the dowdy old boys are dancing with themselves And it feels like its the end of evertthing Everywhere you sit has a 'For Sale' sign on it    Nobodys buying anything I used to love the way the snow made everything look clean and new again But its minus ten Times trucking on One more year is gone If not now When (D A E F* A E ) Belle of my Burlesque Somewhere on a night so sheer    Up before my trail of tears I see her smile her sombre smile And for a while I disappear She was the Belle of my Burlesque    Such a Beautiful Grotesque    Some sweet zephyr take this prayer to her From the ditch my tears I choke    I know how to take a joke    But this time its not funny , no Its hysterical She...... What the earth is to the sun And a bullet to a gun    I feel my was and my will be Wheel her memory She...... (E C E G C D ) Does it all add up to nothing Every tear that graced your eyes Every prayer that fell into the skies Each hello Each goodbye Does it all add up to nothing Every time your heart was crossed Every little thing you lost When you try to count the cost Does it all add up to nothing Beseech the darkness My love my love Plead the paper stars that hang above Maybe you will find a way tonight Maybe love is just a sin of pride A cardboard crown A broken shoe All the forces that abstracted you Left someone I never knew Does it all add up to nothing Does it all add up to nothing Beseech the darkness... ( REGULAR ) Dark Country I feel it all unravelling now Yes I , I’m travelling now I wont stop till I reach the end And I’ll start all over again This time I’m gone a different way I find new clues every day I wont stop till I reach the end And Ill start all over again In this dark country I no longer see The sky reels the cornfields The waves crash over me Im closer now than Ive ever been Closer to the light I’ve never seen I wont stop.... In this dark country.... I feel it all unravelling now Im really travelling now The last lap, I can see the end I might just keep going In this dark country (E C E G C D ) Jacquelines Shoes All the way from Alcazar de San Juan Sold in a shop on the Strand Just a simple piece of buffalo hide Defined Sanctified As she walks down the street She cant lose Got the world at their feet Jacquelines shoes Like some incessant song Playing on when the music is gone See them sit by the side of the bed I cant seem to get them out of my head As she walks... My senses slip their tether To this moonset rhapsody in leather See them walking out of the door As I lie mute on the floor As she walks.... (D A D F A D ) Lodestar Rising Nicotine moon in a rag and bone sky Look in your eyes, do I see my Lodestar rising The burntout horizon Feel my heart bucking in my breast Wonderin' if the Fates can be finessed A lodestar rising Coming to guide me home I know why horses look so sad People on their backs We’re of the same breed me and you Live to love Love to lose Always sleepin' in our shoes Sick of trying Flying Burntout horizons Are we too blind To see it shine Lodestar rising Lodestar rising Lodestar rising ( E A E A C D ) Hey Renee Hey Renee Darkeyes in the wee small hours I can see your face    Through the white lace and the plastic flowers The sign says dead end Get your coat on girl    Todays the day all the panicky people are taking over the world Hey Renee    Unwise    Keeping Cupid suckled    From the breast to the cross That you carried till your knees buckled The sign says..... The things you consecrated    Its time to burn    And all your useless worries    They can be unlearned Hey Renee    Stop waiting for an angels letter    I know your skin is sad    But I know what will make it better The sign says..... (D A E F A D) Religion Love was my religion I believed in you And so I unremembered All I ever knew And when you lose your faith    Its too late    What time does not heal It will consecrate Love was my religion    I tried to do good    But then everything happened    Just like they said it would And when you lose your faith... Help me please sweet Raphael    Dont let me burn in Hell Love was my religion    I did my best    But I was blighted by that which you were blessed And when you lose your faith... Love was my religion    I believed in you ( E B Ab E B E ) Blood Is Sweeter Than Honey Little boy Youll never make it to the city If you dont learn the ways of the world The sin of pity Is no defence against hands that steal So stop your crying Youre not dying The only way youre gonna feel yourself again Is to get revenge... Blood is sweeter than Honey Hush up and dry your eyes Blood is sweeter than Honey Dont try to tell yourself otherwise Little boy Youre in a different dreamscape Seems your dreams dont travel well As you haul your ashes From the north of Heaven to the south of Hell But when you waken its there for the takin' You know the only way youre gonna fill up this lack Is to get them back.... Blood is sweeter.... Little boy Let the veil fall from your eyes Wake up and realise The only way youre gonna feel youself again Is to get Revenge Blood.... (D A E F A D) ; The guitar is high strung , the guages of the strings are ;D B E G B E My Thrawn Glory I chased the clouds of my Thrawn Glory Looking for my Kingdom Come All the lazy shapes Blowin' through my brain Miles and miles from anyone For all my feigned erudition All the liberties I took As an Act of Contrition This non-existence I will brook Some people say I should be hung But everyone deserves a little love And all because I had the gall to write my own Life Story I chased the clouds of My Thrawn Glory And now my work is done Slip the chains of Fate Dont tell me its too late Im miles and miles from anyone Miles and miles from anyone I chased the clouds Here I am ( E A E A C D ) Going Blank Im going blank by the riverbank Where the lilacs drink the moon Suck and blow Let the river flow Theres nothing else to do All the smiling horses know As they go round and round again Im going blank My heart has drnk my will dry I just cant get through Suck and blow Let the river flow As time goes tripping into the blue All the smiling horses.... Im going blank by the riverbank Theres nothing else to do Suck and blow And in the rivers flow ; everything I ever knew All the smiling horses... ( D A E F A D ) 7 . 4 .05 There is a song no-one listed on their top ten that I’ve always thought was great , its called , ‘History’ and it appeared as an extra track on the Up Escalator single . The song was very brutal as were the emotions accompanying it , lets just say it was written after a particular downturn in my life and I nailed it in about half an hour , no edits , no changes . Theres a line in the song about a bible and a gun and I thought that this would be a good image for the artwork , but it looked like a Martini advert . Incidentally , ‘I’ll Catch You When You Fall ‘, was always one of my favourites too , but the association with Iona records was possibly the most militant act of idiocy and /or desperation I /we as a band have ever commited . And there have been many . 5 . 4 . 05 To answer some of your questions ; yes , there is truth in the rumour re: The Isle Of Man , will post details when I have them . Dont remember the BBC recording the City Halls gig , dunno where it would be now if they did , other than consigned to the great furnace that lurks beneath Queen Margaret drive . Yes , my collars are big and 2-0 was a piss poor result and thank you for your reflection on how I am still looking good , thats very sweet of you to notice , I try to make an effort and I felt that the pink of my shirt that evening complimented the green of my eyes rather well . Set The Night On Fire was on the first Love And Money demo that got us signed , Soon , I wrote when Bobby said to me he had a lyric , ‘I’ll meet you down by the harbour beneath the havest moon ‘, but couldnt think of anything else . On the 24th AprilI I am playing in Stafford , thank you Clive for organising that , see you all on the night . Someone asked me about my favourite books , here are some ; The Third Policeman ; Flann O’Brien , The Tin Drum ; Gunter Grass , The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter ; Carson McCullers , Underworld ; Don De Lillo , The Heart Of The Matter ; Graeme Greene , Ham On Rye ; Buckowski , The Master And Margerita ; Bulgakov , Lanark ; Alastair Gray , Great Expectations ; Dickens , Crime And Punishment ; Dostoyevski , The Black Dahlia ; James Elroy , To Kill A Mockingbird , The Catcher..., The Big Sleep , The Wind Up Bird Chronicle ; Haruki Murakami , The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea ; Mishima , TheTurn Of The Screw ; James , The New York Trilogy ; Paul Auster , If On A Winters Night A Traveller ; Italo Calvino , The Wrench ; Primo Levi , Sunset Song ; Lewis Grassic Gibbon , A Confederacy Of Dunces ; J Kennedy Toole , Independance Day ; Richard Ford , The Magus ; John Fowles My favourite book is The Catcher In The Rye , it gets sadder and more profound every time I read it . 31 . 4 . 05 Take a ride on the chutzpah train . People browsing casually on the site will no doubt be riveted by the electrifying debate on the origins of Will The Circle Be Unbroken ? My favourite version of the song is by The Staple Singers . Pop Staples is one of my heroes , not least because he had the blistering inspiration to name his son , ‘Pervis’. Genius . There is a version by Love And Money on the b-side of the Last Ship On The River single , (which about fifty people in the world own ),which to my mind is a bit anodyne , I think I nail the thing better now . The other night in Glasgow was the first time I sang it since my Mum died this year , it was hard to get through it . 27 . 3 . 05 I really enjoyed the gigs this week in Edinburgh and Glasgow , thanks to all who came , especially those who travelled from Bonn ( thanks Reiner), Barnsley , Cheshire , Cardiff...I hope you all had a good time . T-shirts , yes , I will get around to it , I had intended etc. but my seive like memory got the better of me . The top ten thang - I never played Pray The Dawn and I promised I would , sorry , tuning sketch . It was heartening to read the final list , but I feel that perhaps those of you who prefer the SKOL period have abstained in an effort to spare my feelings , which is thoughtful of you , but as I said previously , I dont need approval ..and if you did truly want to hear your favourite song , you should have voted for it , thanks again to those who contributed . I thought the band were great last night ; Donald , Ewen , Signy and Monica .. Cream eggs ; is there anything better ? Why do rich people always tell you how skint they are ? Is the strained acquiescence at the end of the day a rehearsal for our ultimate demise? Where are all my plectrums ; where the fuck do they go ? 21 . 3 . 05 1. Lips Like Ether 2. I Cant Stop Bleeding 3. Pray The Dawn 4. Jacquelines Shoes 5. =I’ll Comb The Tangles From Your Hair 5. =Sometimes I Want To Give Up 6. Winter 7. Does It All Add Up To Nothing 8. Sawdust In My Veins 9 . Give The Poppy To The People 10 . Holy Love 16 . 3 . 05 Last year Karen was asked to play at Sean Connerys’ Dressed To Kilt thang in New York , the one when he and Jack McConnel were meant to have fallen out , but were actually standing having a whisky together . After we’d done our thing , which didnt take long and went down like the Poll Tax , Donald heard two guys talking in the toilet .                   “See James Grants out there ..”                   “ Aye , fuckin’ Hell , I thought he’d died of a drug overdose years ago..” 14 . 3 . 05 Monica has a beautiful new record out , check the Vertical and Monica Q. sites on the links page . I enjoyed The Brand New Opry on Friday night , playing live on the radio is a curious thing , I always get a bit nervous . I think the problem is that you begin to question what you are so used to doing naturally , songs that you could play backwards become enigma . So many times I have found myself asking , ‘What did I do at this bit again ?’ when I should just do it ..You’d think I’d be used to it by now . I’ve only really done a handful of interviews for Holy Love though , it used to be that I’d make a record and spend the next year promoting it . Nowadays this aspect is bypassed and I get right on to writing the next one and frankly its almost depressing when people say they like it . I feel a bit like a surrogate mother . Still , must’nt grumble . The drummer on the Sounds Of Eden thing is actually David Watson , Gordon joined the band later . My daughter wrote this poem , its been published in a book , Once Upon A Rhyme . Naturally , I am very proud of her . Carnival Rides passing by when I walk People screaming when I pass a roller coaster Sweets in my mouth that are melting Air flowing past me on rides When I am on the roller coaster 11. 3 . 05 I’m on the Brand New Opry , Brian Burnetts’ programme on Radio Scotland tonight . I’ll be on betwixt 8 and 9 , should have given you more notice , never mind . Brian is extremely well informed on his music and a nice geezer to boot , so I’m looking forward to it . I wrote a song last night about something that happened when we were mixing SKOL . We went to a place in Conneticuit to mix and it didnt really work out , but the guy who owned the studio there didnt take kindly to the fact that we were leaving , therefore he went awol and threatened to burn our masters . The next two days were spent mainly in the bar sweating into our beer while they tried to talk him down . Very strange . Eventually he was persuaded back to planet Earth and we continued our mixing , which took us , bizarrely , another two months , pointless really , because obviously (to everyone else)we’d lost the plot and had to mix it all again in London . I have employed some poetic license , but the story is true and the song is called ‘Train To Poughkeepsie’. Another one for the ditch . 7 . 3 . 05 Do you know any really happy people ? There are people who , on the surface of it seem happy , and who may actually be happy with some aspects of their lives , but if you get to 30 without getting your heart broken or your head fucked in one way or another youre either very lucky or very stupid , 40 , and you are going beyond the boundaries of luck and stupidity . Pretty much everyone I know has something eating away at them , just scratch the surface . I dont need to be miserable to write , I just need to be able to breathe and hold a pen . I have never made the same record twice and never will . I wouldnt have thought that songs like Before She Shot The Arrow or Tangles , Poppy To The People ...sounded “comfy” , maybe I’m mistaken . Or maybe you are . Yes , tabs , no , none of my music is in tab form , sorry , it may be something I could do in the future , if you want to know tunings or chords give me a shout , I cant write music(sic). I would happily come to the Borders to play , email me details . The response to fans setting up gigs has been brilliant , I have had four offers so far , a heartfelt thanks to all involved . I wholeheartedly endorse the sentiments of Chris on the message board , I hope Edwin and his family are okay . 4 . 3 . 05 The problems I have with the love and money live stuff ; 1. The majority of the material is from the first album which is not my favourite , there are no songs beyond Strange Kind Of Love and the actual gig that features the songs on SKOL was the Glasgow debut of said album at The Art School . 2. Due to the fact that both of the recorded concerts are in Glagow (the above and aPavilion gig) technical aspects are overpowered in a bludgeoning way , by performance . 3. Another way of putting that is the singing is shite , but theres a lot of flashy guitar playing and strange animalistic yelping . 4. I dont like it very much . I shot the Albatross . The soundtrack for The Near Room does not exist , such was its level of turkeydom . One of the tunes turned up on Albatross , Hide turned up on Sawdust , I may have a couple of things I could put on the download section , I’ll have a look/listen/think/morbid quandary about whether they are good enough . Sorry about the email problems , should be ok now . There are two clear favourites in the poll , not what I expected...keep em’ coming . 28 . 2 . 05 Response to the top ten thing has been absolutely phenomenal . I’d like to thank the fifteen of you who have voted so far . I was given a couple of CDs by River Records ; they want to put out a live love and money CD . I ‘ve had a listen , it sounds rather dated I have to say , although the guitar playing isnt bad . You can hear screaming in between and during the songs , ahh , those were the days . I feel utterly ambivalent about it , I’m unsure whether I want them to release it . Dunno if it will do any good/bad . Today is just one of those days when I feel like a dead fish in the water . The Edinburgh gig will be “intimate” . The Glasgow show will be a bit busier and more akin to the London vibe . Hunter S. Thompson RIP . 25 . 2 . 05 I write songs because I want to be loved . I cant seem to shake the notion that what I have to say , no matter how insignificant , is of great importance . A lot of my songs have been SOS to some dream angel , a lot of them howling at the moon , its just become something that I absolutely need to do in my life . Its difficult sometimes because I feel like I’m singing in the dark , that no-one is listening , in that way and certain others they have come to resemble prayer . Sometimes I want to give up , but I dont think I can , there are still things I need to say and I feel that if I get to the essence of it and stumble onto some truth then it will have been worthwhile . Everything means something to somebody . 24 . 2 . 05 You are allowed to chose love and money songs , b-sides , whatever . I dont mind , really . Just be honest . If you prefer love and money material , thats ok , I dont need anyones approval , although it is heartening to see how many of my latter recordings you have chosen so far . Also , please email them , its easier for me to compile that way . 23 . 2 . 05 True Story . We were driving in a van looking for a motel near the Mojave desert and passed a sign that said ‘Bakersfield ‘ . There commenced a long argument/discussion as to which song contained ‘Bakersfield”. No one really knew . This upset me , I’m anal about these things , I did know ... I kept racking my brains , wading through the disorientation and jetlag and wide eyed puppy wonder I felt from being there . The motel was called ‘Coopers’ , Gary Cooper had once stayed there and now the place was a shrine . We went to the bar and started drinking and a girl came and joined us . She was pretty , mid twenties , she wore a plaid shirt with a diamonte lizard on it , jeans , cowboy boots . Her name was Lois Renee Jackson and she stayed in a trailer out by the cabins . She was a singer and when she found out we were in a band and were out here making a video , she asked if we would listen to her tunes . We went back to her trailer with some beer and whisky and she slung on her guitar and started singing ... she wasnt bad , but I cannot remember one thing about those songs she sang , not a melody or a syllable , not a note . Were they so utterly nondescript   , or is it because next , when we all started playing and singing songs we knew and when it got back to Lois’ turn she played ‘Far Away Eyes’? 20 . 2 .05 Once again , I appreciate your suggestions and your tireless boring of people for my benefit , but re; the live tracks comment , I dont mean to come over all saintly , but I would be uncomfortable charging people for something that I didnt think was very , very good indeed . I am not a big fan of live records . The sound quality would have to be exceptional and even then , in my experience , its never as good as a studio recording . Also , I couldnt just stick it out to make a few bob , it would have to be right .                       T - shirts . Do you really want them ? I f you’d like to buy a Holy Love t- shirt , email me , just put the legend , “ t-shirt .” If there are enough of you , then sure , why not ? I’ll have a listen to a few things next month , when I get more time and I’ll see if theres anything interesting re; outtakes , curios etc. I know some of you wont mind paying for them , but whether or not I think they are good enough is another question .                       The Mercury Music Prize is only enterable by record companies , they have to nominate the records as far as I know , I really dont think that will be happening where I’m concerned . I dont have management . My record company is okay . We are an independent and as such do not have a great deal to spend on marketing etc. But believe me , I am happier with the situation as it stands than I was with a major .                      I would dearly love to play more , trust me , in fact ; heres a challenge for you , lets see how serious you are . Find a church hall / function room / pub or similar in your area , I’ll hire it if neccesary(cant be that much can it ???) , coordinate with me through email , get a minimum of forty heads (is there any real point otherwise, it would be more like a blind date ), I’ll charge £15 a ticket . The particularly intrepid among you could get a licence ( its about £20 here ) . If theres no PA , I’ll bring one and my guitars and I’ll play for you . Obviously , the more like a gig it is ie; lights , atmosphere etc. the better , but we can discuss that . Think of yourselves as special ministers . I would love to do a tour of churches , ask your local rockin’ Rev about availability ...yes , I am serious .                      On the question of me not really knowing how many of you are out there , I do know that roughly two thousand people have purchased Holy Love , also that this website gets about a hundred hits a week . I do believe that there are a lot of people who are not aware that I have had four solo albums out and that think I went awol after Strange Kind Of Love but how to reach them without marketing and radio play etc.? At Parkhead today ( not good , suffice to say the best team won ) a bunch of geezers asked me what I was up to these days , I told them of course I had gone into prostitution but things werent going too well .                       Top tens . Ok , email me your top tens , I’ll publish the results before the Glasgow gig , I’ll even play the top five at the concert . Combine it with your t-shirt requests to save time .                       One other thing ; dont feel sorry for me , I may have been up front here about a few issues , but there are an awful lot of artists who deserve more attention/money/kudos/customers . In love and money , wads of record company cash were frittered away for my fucking amusement , I am proud to have acreted enormous debts and wasted their money . At least I had the chance . 17 . 2 . 05 Richard Dawkins’ Nemesis We were in Richmond park , she said ,                 “See the pigeons’ necks?”                 “ Uh huh .”                 “ You know how they got like that , with all those shiny colours? “                 “ No .”                 “ From flying through rainbows . “                 “ ...Does it hurt them , do they feel anything ?”                 “ I dont know . I dont think so . “ Later , the same day , I was picking Dandelion clocks and blowing the seeds . She said ,                 “ D’you know how the stars came to be in the sky?”                 “ No . “                 “ God gave Eve a dandelion and when she blew it the seeds floated up and became the stars .”                 “ What about the moon? “                 “ It was the devil that made the moon .”                 “ Why? “                 “ To get back at Eve .” 16 . 2 . 05 Thanks to everyone who came to the gigs last week . I had a bit of a technical nightmare in London but everyone seemed to enjoy it , so what the fuck. The next shows will be Glasgow and Edinburgh, see gig section for ticket info . I dont want to seem like an old curmudgeon, but burning my CDs burns the royaty I’m due from them ( approximately £1) . I’m sure most people think a couple of copies will do no harm, but if even a hundred people think that ; do your sums . Obviously if youre Franz Ferdinand or Madonna it wont affect you that much , but I do not sell a lot of records , so I need the money . Much as I believe theres an inherent good-naturedness about this , I would prefer not to use the message board to develop a bootlegging network of my own music . And thanks , but I’ll pass on the copy you were going to burn for me . There is a version of Evangeline with me singing on one of the Transatlantic Sessions CDs , get a mate to burn you a copy . Actually dont bother, Karens’ version is far superior . 8 . 2 . 05 The last couple of weeks have been difficult . I played the concert hall in Glasgow with Karen , I had a great time and I think it was a good gig , its hard to tell with the audience sometimes whether its a revered silence and an intense listening experience or whether its bafflement or disappointment , I honestly dont know . People tell me it was great , we had a good time , I wasnt expecting dancing in the streets or rejoicing in religious ecstasy but the response was polite to say the least . The next day we flew to Madrid for a gig . Some arsehole set fire to a plane resulting in a day of ennui and hangover misery . We got there , drove to the gig , set up , played , ate and checked in to the hotel at 2.30 . My guitars were not there when we got back to Glasgow , but the good people of British Airways delivered them to our studio . And guess what , when I opened the case of my precious Gibson , its neck was broken . Baggage handlers . I suppose they were only doing their job . Which of course means treating peoples possesions with casual , whistling contempt , throwing them from cargo holds to the ground , particularly if marked ‘Fragile’ . ‘Fragile’ , meaning give less of a fuck than for ordinary objects , triggering its antithesis .Or maybe not , maybe its a veritable ballet of sensitivity and care when the hold opens . Maybe the neck of my beautiful guitar was just strained from all those stupid fucking tunings I use and it just snapped , just likethat , snap , bye bye . Anyway , looking forward to the gigs . 21 . 1 . 05 Usually I rise about nine , dont like to sleep late , besides I want to avoid the melee as my wife gets herself and the kids sorted and brings me my breakfast . I then make my toilette which usually takes me till about eleven as I have problem hair . I then do an hour of reading to wake my brain up , sometimes in Latin (it did come in useful after all) . Then I’m ready to start work , but most days , if the muse is not with me I’ll phone one of my celebrity friends and we’ll have a nice long leisurely lunch together , unless I’ve booked a pedicure or a full Swedish massage in which case Pret a Manger crayfish and roquette will suffice . Like to pop into the bookmakers at some point and have a flutter , dont want people saying I’ve forgotten my roots , also the pub , I often surreptitiously eavesdrop on peoples conversations and even on occasion chat to people , of course I have to feign inarticulacy , but my use and command of slang is extensive , often my good friend Irvine Welsh and I will discuss new developements in the medium . Nights are reserved for football , either I’ll be warming my arse on one of the heated seats at Parkhead or back in the pub watching The Premiership . Maybe when I get home I’ll tidy up a few lyrics or ideas I’d been working on earlier . When I lie down in my bed I have no guilt or worry swimming around my head because I know , in my heart of hearts , I’ve done the best I can . Dont know where were playing in Madrid , nobody does , sorry . Re; the messages and emails about gigs , I would love to tour all over the shop , but you dont just book gigs , promoters need people to turn up , I need to get paid , simplistic as it seems . If anyone has any ideas about how I can tour or play in your hometown , get in touch . The university circuit is the same , the acts playing unis tend to be bigger than me , I only sell a couple of thousand records , and I’m not on a major label where subsidy is an option . Thanks for the poem and the website address , I love Emily Dickinson but I am am not grumpy, so piss off . And yes , I will rock again . 16 . 1 . 05 Borneo alone alone ten fingers ten toes between them skin and bone and a dam of woes an abdominal scar that appears to glow in the dark that someone once remarked was the shape of Borneo I am not one of the top 50 Scottish acts of all time , its official . The List and Scotland On Sunday say so , the people have spoken and thats that , its sad but there you are , what can I say ? Thank you for your comments , regarding the h - word , as I said before , I actually had a couple of funny letters from Rangers supporters , who took the joke in the way it was intended , but I was accused of sectarianism , which I take seriously , and felt obliged to put my case . Anyway , if you think thats bigoted , you should get out more often . I dont buy a lot of records (surprise , surprise) but , yes there are a lot of good singer songwriters out there , too many , in fact , theres too much music . I like Low , Mazzy Starrs first album , The Flaming Lips , Beck , Justin Rutelige , Monica Queen and more obvious stuff like old Joni Mitchell , James Brown , Allan Touissant , Townes Van Zandt ,The Bee Gees , Eric Satie , Arvo Part , Miles Davis , Hank Williams , Dylan , Zepplelin , Johnny Cash , Leonard Cohen , Neil Young , Tim Hardin etc . etc My brother Mick is a Partick Thistle supporter , he once dragged me to a driech Boghead to watch Dumbarton and Thistle grind out a nil-nil draw in an effort to persuade me that it was better than all the bollocks that went on between Celtic and Rangers . After watching that shite though , if you’ll pardon my expression ; I’ll take the bollocks every time . Sorry Hughie . The fives ; I am a striker , I will never tire of putting the ball into the net , I still cling to absurd fantasies that I’ll be spotted by a scout and snapped up on an S- form . That and eating are the last pleasures I have left in life . And music , of course (sic) . 14 . 1 . 05 MP3’s , mmm... yes , I will get around to it , probably March . There are some outtakes and curios you might like , dunno . Feels funny putting odd tracks up , or the idea of posting songs every month or whatever . I still , perhaps anachronistically , have a belief that the album is the best format , a collection of songs that evoke and sustain a particular mood . In my case , a bad mood . Thanks once again for all your messages and emails , its genuinely good to know I’ve affected people in a positive way . I get a few emails now and then asking me to explain songs , I think that this would be as much of a disappointment to people as it usually is to meet me in person . It can really shatter your illusions . A lot of the songs have a built - in ambiguity , a persons interpretation and personalisation of a song is every bit as important as the artists , I believe . But what do I know ? 6 . 1 . 05 I’ll be in Kent with Karen Matheson on Saturday , come along , say hello and check out the groovy sounds . I will take the extremely unusual step of writing a fulsome review of my experiences in Kent in minute detail to shamelessly try and divert the fans of Capercaillie to my website and dupe them into buying my records ... I know I said previously that I was playing Birmingham and Liverpool , I was mistaken , I am not . Have you all bought your Manchester and London tickets and hassled everyone you know , pestered strangers in the street to come along for an evening of grim glory ? No ? Oh well , as Mr.J. Christ once said ; the show must go on . I will be playing The Strathclyde Suite of the Royal Concert Hall on March 26th and perhaps an Edinburgh show soon after , buy your ticket(s) now to avoid crushing disappointment . I will post details in the live section when I have them . As for the guy who wants the first L&M album , cant help you mate , dont have one . Maybe someone who tunes in here will assist . Thank you for your employment tips and seasonal greetings , marillion , hmm , dont want to appear negative but they did sell rather a lot of records at one time and jester hats to festival goers . I’m sure they continue to make records every bit as good as they did then . Incidentally , I always thought it would be a great idea to do an animal rights record using just artists with animal names ie; Fish , Horse , Seal , Flea , The Eagles , The Wombles etc. etc. 5 . 1 . 05 Ahem . In answer to your postings , emails , I should make a few things clear : I do not make music to make money , I’d have thought that was patently obvious . I have been extremely fortunate in my life that I have been able to make a living doing what has been my vocation and I do not say this lightly . I did not wish to evoke pity by stating that I needed to seek employment , I was just being honest , call it a slip of the tongue . There is nothing wrong with having a job as there is nothing wrong with me saying I need to get one . I cannot stop writing/making music , I just may need to find another way of doing it . When I write the news page , it feels a bit like a diary , I may occasionally stumble into maudlinisms , I am what I am . Finally , as I have always said , if I ever offend anyone by my ramblings , I honestly , most sincerely dont give a fuck . 31 . 12 . 04 I was out shopping just before Christmas in Buchanan Street in Glasgow and I saw something that truly encapsulated the real meaning of Christmas , a moment of spontaneous loveliness that brought people together . A guy who was carrying about fifteen bags suddenly dropped them and shouted at the top of his voice ,                                  ‘ FUCK OFF ! ’ And everyone around started applauding , drowning out the piped muzak . Nice . I hope you all have a good new year , I like the idea of a clean sheet , resolutions etc. For myself , there is a grim demon I have to face , something that has stalked me all my life , that I have managed by stealth or by ruse to avoid but which now looms large before me ... I need to get a job. Bye bye . 19 . 12 .04 Just back from Brindisi with Karen Matheson , we were playing in the Cathedral and eating copious amounts of pasta , not at the same time , obviously . Loved the gig , top reverb . I had just purchased a mothership sized slab of parmesan and we were waiting for the van to take us to Bari airport , when a wee woman drove past , chatting to someone on her mobile , scraping her car door along a wall and trashing her wing mirror . This did not interrupt the flow of her conversation , she looked only mildly peeved , like a bird had just shat on her window or something . In direct answer to a couple of your messages ; the word in Wanderlust 2 is cave , the lyrics to River Of People are in the booklet / sleeve for the first Love And Money record / CD / tape . If you still cannot locate them , email me directly and I’ll send you them . Funnily enough , I have never thought of recording some Christmas songs as a special treat for my fans , though I must say I think its a smashing idea ; like sticking hornets up my arse . 13 . 12 . 04 The Beginning Of The End it was a terrible business there had been two break-ins in the past year the first Vincent had bravely thwarted upending one of the offenders and pinning him down till police arrived unfortunately the boy being thirteen Vincent narrowly escaped charges the second was more peculiar nothing was taken but a statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalised in an extreme and some may say morbidly creative way celebrated local artist Michelle Carden a schoolhood friend of Vincents heard of the regrettable incident and was moved to donate a replacement Finlay was sceptical at first modern art being shite but when he saw the statue a Madonna and Child classically depicted with the singular inscription ...Grace... he thought it a truly beautiful thing never thought for a moment that there would be consequences that this Carden was a self serving bitch who after the initial positive and indeed wholesome publicity had turned the Catholic Church into a laughing stock by announcing that the material she used was guano 9 . 12 . 04 I’d like to thank everyone who has emailed or posted a message , they are all greatly appreciated , as to the gig thing , pay no attention to me , I was feeling a bit hormonal that day , thats all . Forgot to take my medication , feel much better now , back on track etc. World Tour next year , in a metropolis near you , probably . I am apparently on the Word cover CD this month , the track is Before She Shot The Arrow , from my first solo album(sic) Holy Love and allegedly I was the lead vocalist in Friends Again . Oh , and I was the World Swimming Champion (Butterfly) in 1992 and my great great grandfather designed the internal combustion steam engine . And I’m Franz Ferdinands’ Dad . Aidan McGeady for world player of the year 2006 ? Give him a year , you’ll see... 7 . 12 . 04 A Conceptual Piece stay still ya bastard MOOOOOOO fffffffuck ! nearly shat masel better just check Ian shone the torch underneath the cow udders ok he shook the tin of spray paint managed to get the first letter one line straight down I easy peasy next bit a bit tricky.... ...line straight down again ...lookin’ good.... ...dont want to fuck this up Shhhhhhhh cool ...last wee bit.... ...nice one The R was complete MOOOOOO aw right hen , ye’re doin’ fine MOO easy now Shhhhh here we go ...up... ...down.... ...wee bit across.... ...awww.... ya beauty a perfect A ya dancer heh heh heh he put the spray paint down reached into his pocket for his quarter bottle the cow was eating the grass in front of her will ye huv a wee wan wi’ me ? he sprinkled some Whyte And Mackays on the grass MOOOO cheers Ira ! heh heh heh 6 . 12 . 04 Vincents Dream Tonight , Matthew , I’m going to be Edgar Allen Poe... it was the same every time he was sitting in a cafe drinking a latte watching the cars and the passersby and starlings wove parabolas in the sky and there was a sound somewhere trying to find translation but it was’nt a sound you could translate like the the grey faces of the strangers in the cafe and he twisted awake reluctantly slowly gathering himself enough to realise that there was someone on the flat roof clattering on the lead and he crept past the bathroom keeping his head down and through the bamboo blinds a shadow of giant wings strummed a jangle of fear what was this he skulked to the kitchen window then relief a laugh it was two seagulls the skinheads of the sky they were fighting over their quarry hawling it around the roof and then he saw what it was recognised in the darkness Ians grinning head and through the roaring void heard Finlays’ voice saying Vinnie its me are ye all right son ? 6 . 12 . 04 Last night after the Billy Sloan show (which I really enjoyed , by the way) we went for a pint , I was standing at the bar when a woman came up and said she had all my records , was my biggest fan etc. and what was I up to these days ? I said that painting and decorating was now my thang . Believe it or not , she said that she was needing some work done and did I have a number ? I said that I was in the Yellow Pages under ‘Hip-sway painting and decorating’ . She never batted an eye , said she’d look us up . I get a lot of emails about gigs.... Convince me when I play in February that you are not an ever dwindling and exclusive group of sad people , the last time I played Manchester there were about thirty people there in a place thet held about a thousand , I actually enjoyed the gig and invited the audience backstage to drink my rider . But its not sustainable , for love nor money(ho-ho) , for Sadchester read Edinburgh ( about fifty people) ...or your town . The only place I’m guaranteed a crowd is Glasgow . I did an acoustic gig in Falkirk recently , in a pub , and believe me , it was so grim that painting and decorating seemed like a good move . The singing painter ; now theres an idea . 3 . 12 . 04 I f you like Love And Money and you want to discuss things such as how shite Holy Love is and how you wish I’d just cheer up for fuck sake , get my finger out , phone the guys up and try and get onto one of the myriad eighties reunion tours ...well... , theres a place you can go , its called Strange Kind Of List and the address is ; http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/StrangeKind of List . I’ll add it to the links page . You know its true . As it says on the message board , I am playing Bush Hall in London on the 10th February , also , I’ll be on the Billy Sloan show on radio Clyde on Sunday night in session . The first time I was played on the radio , in my first band , Friends Again , was on Billys show , we were all jumping around like we’d just gone to number one , of course we were young and very , very drunk . Billys had Kris Kristofferson , Badly Drawn Boy , Nectarine No.9 and other top dudes in session , its a good show , check it out . 1 . 12 . 04 Did you make Airfix models when you were a child , do you still ? Did you play with Scalectrix well into your teens and beyond ? Did you actually quite like the anoraks your Mum bought for you ? Tunings ..... of no interest to non musicians , yet a constant source of fascination and enlightenment to nerds the world over . The tunings for Holy Love are as follows ; capo positions are in brackets ; Holy Love (2), The Streets.... (2), Rhinestone Lullaby (5), I’ll Comb The Tangles...(4) E B Ab(low)E B E Before She Shot The Arrow ; D A D G Bb D Give The Poppy To The People , Mary Magdalene ; banjo tuning (f*) E B D E Monica ; C G A* D* E* A* Dandelion Clock ; D A F* (low) D A D The Soft Option is in regular E A D G B E and the Holy Love tuning . With most of the above its better to use an A string for the D and a D string for the G . Let ye nerds speak , if you want more of this shit let me know , if not , then I’ll shut up and go away . 26 . 11 . 04 The Immaculate Inception Of An Axiomatic Recidivism or Two Little Ducks the drizzle rekindled the ghost of the previous owner of his black mohair coat Brylcreme whiskey fags chips were invoked and arose from within there could be no doubt of its origins Saint Enochs’ subway station ( a non-saint , like St. Johnstone ) its soupy orange glow enveloped him going down he recalled a story in the papers about a woman who was as it were devoured by an escalator it somehow opened up and swallowed her gobbling her with its bitter metal teeth             no-one looked anyone in the eye at this time of night that suited him fine on the tube he looked at an advert for some bogus university we have a variety of modes to suit your sector when he got back to the sacristy he remembered it was Vincents' bingo night he could go straight to his room without seeing anyone he heard Vincent say two little ducks ! his aged congregation intoning twenty two !       Padre Pio gazed benignly down his bandaged hands round a raised chalice and he looked up at him sheep -like sat down and flipped the clips    he held the Luger his heart beat faster yet he was calmer it all felt so dreamlike this feeling awe mystery power truly a blistering paradox there were tears ploughing down his cheeks was this the epiphany he'd been praying for all his life where his hearts compass had inexplicably led him a reckoning . and as with such moments of trance - like clarity a sense of deja vu of the pre- ordained . a kiss to condemn Bingo ! he put the gun away 25 .11 . 04 I’ve been writing a lot of tunes lately ; Dunes , You Are What You Hate , Debt , Is This The Kiss , Broken Things , Ballad Of Laughing Crow (been trying to write that one for over a year now) , None The Wiser ; maybe you’ll hear some of them in the future , maybe you won’t . I need to put some time between the song and myself , I try and let it flow , dont question it too much , the best ones tend to take about an hour but the thing is , what can have you almost weeping in gratitude one minute can make you think you’ve lost it and wonder if you ever really had it at all , a week later . Any artists out there looking for songs ? Give me a call , drop me a line , maybe your record needs a couple of more misery driven tunes . It could take your career to a new place ; are you listening Whitney ? I got Bob Dylan ; Chronicles Volume One for my birthday , I love it . If you’re looking for Christmas presents ( other than Holy Love ) I wholeheartedly endorse it . 21 . 11 . 04 Around the time of the first L&M record , in my absurd callowness , I suggested to our A&R man that Brian Eno would be a good producer for us . He said he’d get me his managers’ number and why did’nt I give him a phone . The guys name was Yoni ; fans of the Kamasutra take note . I plucked up the courage to phone him and I got a secretary ,                          “Can I speak to Yoni , please ?”                 “Sure , can I ask whos’ calling ?”                 “..Er , tell him, its James Grant ...” She went off to tell Yoni and came back about thirty seconds later ,                 “Hi , James ? I’m sorry but Yoni says hes never heard of you .” I put the phone down . I should add at this point that I now dont think there will be a pre Christmas show , its a crushing blow , I know , but you'll now have to wait till February or March if you want to see me . Sorry about that . Nevermind . 15 . 11 . 04 I played a gig in Castlemilk on Saturday with Karen Matheson as part of the folk festival . I lived in Castlemilk most of my life and my parents still live there , I know it gets bad press , but I dont think of it as a bad place . I passed by my old Primary School , St. Julie’s , and I recalled the first time I got lashed with the belt , for turning round in assembly . I was made to stand and face the whole school and I could feel a bruise blossom in my throat but I just gulped it down and feigned nonchalance , although it stung like hell . I won a prize in my last year , ‘Spy Stories For Boys’ , and I was halfway through reading one called , ‘The Hawk ‘, when I encountered three blank pages and in fact the whole book had blank pages randomly throughout . He never did like me that headmaster , or am I just being paranoid ? NB The working title for Stange Kind Of Love was , ' From Sunset Boulevard To Chateaulait ', but then Prefab Sprout released , 'From Langley Park To Memphis'. Aztec Camera also had the line ,'..from Westwood to Hollywood..' 8 . 11 . 04 Anyone remotely interested in the poems should check out the link on the message board , thanks for that one mate . Just heard Monica on Terry Wogan , ‘Unusual record ‘, said Tel . Did Terrys’ TV show years ago with L&M , at the time we were struggling , playing to audiences of unwashed and disenfranchised stragglers , one month later we had suddenly acquired thousands of fans singing along to every word with tears in their eyes . Its a funny old game . 7 . 11 . 04 Wake Me Up Before You Go Go Ian slouched on one of the small sandbanks on the Kelvin across the river there was some kind of fete or fair a shite blues band playing a merry go round stalls a Punch and Judy show the swizzle* warping the guys voice he lifted the crisppoke to his face took a long hit Smokey Bacon flavour let us celebrate the sacred mysteries back in the seminary they were known as Wham! he and Vincent inseperable unstoppable unfortunately he was Andrew Ridgely as Vincent / George pursued his ever more lucrative solo career his thick wavey Davey hair his wee Mephistopholean beard his tight breeks and leather jacket got my Bible strapped to my motorcycle and ever burgeoning homosexuality(sic) he , Ian / Andrew Ridgely lost his looks his faith got rumbled for the Bengal Lancer he had always been and quite literally fell by the wayside he was lying in the wayside at the moment listening to Punch turn the children into sausages a couple walked past their kids their eyes full of self-righteous bleeding heart Liberal pity he tried to return the compliment but was unsure what kind of expression they ended up with his face was not his own he was an experiment a guinea pig of some unholy amalgm between The Golden Wonder and Bostik corporations he lifted his hand and said , "Cheers ! " although it sounded more like ,"Cheese! " spilling his cocktail *copyright Tam Shephard 4 . 11 . 04 I will be playing a pre Christmas concert in Glasgow , the date and venue are still to be finalised , I will post the details as soon as , etc. Thank you for all your messages and emails , I’m pleased at the response to Holy Love . Its been a profoundly depressing week ; four more years of Bush et al ; for those of you who think my music grim , try that on for size . My sincerest commiserations to all on planet Earth , and remember , you should always get an adult to handle fireworks . 29 .10 .04 I did a session / interview for a new web based radio show ; tradtunes .com , log on , drop out etc. Also I’m live on the Tom Morton show on Monday afternoon .. It was mentioned in The List magazines 50 best Scottish bands thing (whats the point? ) re; my solo career , that my current records are of a more traditional Scottish bent thse days... Hmm. wonder how they’ve made that assumption ? Off to a Halloween party , I’m going as my spiritual Godfather , Harry Lauder . 25 . 10 . 04 What came first , the chicken or the egg ; or would that be turkey..? a darkening violet sky the scarred ugly moon skulked behind some dark rags of cloud rain hung like radiation over the bridge doos pulsing in its iron rafters the doss house next to Paddys Market the acrid smell of piss overpowering moss haired gargoyles grimaced above the doorway Finlay edged past a couple of jakies on the way in pulling his scarf over his collar the attendant looked up from his takeaway Grease is the Word hello father it was me that phoned ye Birrry's rrrooms on the second floor 217 ah phoned the porrris as well they said they'd be heerrre soon as they could he arched his eyebrow conspiratorially his voice effeminate a militant burr Finlay nodded took the keys off him and walked up the stairs Billy was splayed on the bed his eyes shut ochre grog on his cheek he pulled over the chair sat down by the bed gave him his last rites he looked about the room on the wall an awry painting of the Campsies a crucifix umpteen piles of the Daily Express on the floor the only other bit of furniture a kicked looking dresser with a plastic child of Prague an old photo of Billy with his war medals and a cup of water with Billy’s teeth in it under the mattress the corner of a small wooden box Finlay looked at his watch cast a doubtful glance skyward bent down and pulled the box out Mahogany a Swiss cross on the top two brass clips a beautiful thing really he flipped the clips on a bed of red velvet a gun a Luger Finlay stared at the gun touched the number on the barrel a knock    he closed the box the police two young looking boys blase disrespectful one of them asked him if that was where he kept his doin's nodding at the box no shook his head thats my gun son ha ha he picked it up put it in his bag left them to it 22 . 10 . 04 I’ve had some emails about whether I plan to play any concerts in England , I’ve got three shows in February , I’ll confirm the dates later , in London , Birmingham and Liverpool . Good reviews of Holy Love ; Word magazine , The List in Scotland , The Express ; “...Hear these songs and weep..” , er , in a good way , and Mail On Sunday . I would like to be able to say I dont care what people think , but bad reviews suck and tend to bring out the fascist in me . If you like Holy Love , please , pester your friends until they acquiesce , if you dont , just shut the fuck up or you’ll end up like a pin cushion on my voodoo altar . Only joking . Friday 8th October I am 40 , in a supreme effort to modernise myself , this year I learned to drive , got a mobile phone and now I have my own website . I have left behind my Luddite tendancies and embraced the 21st century . I hope to update this every week , I will post any gigs or events if and when they occur . If theres anything you would particularly like to see , eg ; chords , tunings , my favourite pants , etc. please let me know . I’ve deliberately left all Love And Money stuff to the Jocelyn Square website , (see links ) , where it is especially and lovingly well catered for . Occasionally , I may post items of interest in the download section , outtakes and suchlike , please help yourself , but if youre going to download my records for free , may the Lord God have mercy on your soul . Thank you for your support , James Grant .