Thursday, April 30, 2009

How much is too much...

Playlist
John Coltrane - The Complete Quartet Recordings
Allan Holdsworth - Discography on Shuffleplay
Clouildand Blue Quartet - Soundingfall



Up at 8:20 and collected breakfast from Patisserie Florentine to enjoy at home...

Worked on automatic updates to appear here during the holiday to Sardinia, which starts today (writing this post the holiday, those updates, which comprised a picture of Cagliari and a piece of tasty music, are gone)...

This is how I waste my time...

Also worked on letting the Crispycat Mailing List know of the release of the new LP on Monday and, due to the date coinciding with my 50th, offering the first 50 copies free...

Collected lunch from the sandwich shop down the road then listened to some music in the afternoon...

At 5, we took a taxi to the airport where we enjoyed a pre-flight drink and bought further sandwiches for consumption - to avoid Ryan Air's on board prices...



We left on time and, three hours later, having enjoyed some top notch jazz and my new LP on the plane...



...whilst viewing some spectacular skyscapes, we arrived early in Cagliari...



Another taxi from the airport - £20 for a very short trip but, hey, that's a holiday eh?



Found the flat which will be our home for the next week, unpacked, enjoyed some juice and almond-based cakes, left for us by the owner, before retiring, looking forward to some relaxation...



Highlight of the Day : Off on holiday...

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Milestone or millstone...

Playlist
Cloudland Blue Quartet – 1997-2009 On Shuffleplay
Craig Armstrong – Film Works 1995-2005
Rush – A Makeshift Best of the Late Years (MP3s)
Dream Theater – Greatest Hit and 21 other Pretty Cool Songs

A presentation from my colleagues at the offices of “The Man” today to celebrate my upcoming birthday which is taking on a life of its own and becoming the milestone I didn’t think it would be – as long as it doesn’t become a millstone...



Nice trees again today...

...as I walked up this hill...


In the evening we took Meg the Black Cat to Armadale for a wee holiday and had a lovely evening with ex-Meg mum Julia and her partner, John...

Drove back home, sad to be without the wee pie...

Meg the Black Cat didn’t seem to be bothered though...

Monkey...

Highlight of the Day : Cake and cards...

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Hugging machine...

Playlist
Heinichen – Dresden Concerti
Glass – Notes From A Scandal
Biffy Clyro – Singles 2001-2005

A 12 hour working day of which Herr Heinichen soundtracked the majority...

Work, work work, apart from a quick trip to FOPP at lunchtime, whereupon two DVDs and a CD were bought – Muse, ELO and Biffy Clyro...

Nice trees and bushes on the way home...



Anne reckoned her casserole was ruined due to my unpaid overtime at the offices of “The Man”...

I thought it was extremely tasty...

Watched the disappointing first half of Barcelona v Chelsea – why can’t excellent continental teams breakdown 11 men behind the ball trying to score on the break English teams...

Worked on the release details for the new LP whilst enjoying the new CD and a glass of vino rosso...



“Big Bang Theory” – another excellent episode as Leonard’s mother came to visit...

That’s it...

Highlight of the Day : Anne’s tasty casserole...

Monday, April 27, 2009

Machines from the future...

Playlist
Various – Rock and Pop Jukebox on Shuffleplay

Today in the offices of “The Man”, the Billion Dollar baby kept an eye out...



Tonight, while Anne was at Keep fit with Lynn, I maintained the recent Monday evening tradition of movie watching and very much enjoyed the recently purchased DVD of “Terminator 3”...

A nice piece of trout later on entertained the old tastebuds...

And “Ashes to Ashes” satisfied the eyes and lulled the brain...

Lights out...

Highlight of the Day : Science fiction...

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Composition 14...

Playlist
Mercury Rev – Snowflake Midnight
It Bites – The Tall Ships
Pet Shop Boys - Yes
Depeche Mode – Sounds of the Universe
Schumann – Perahia Plays Schumann
Depeche Mode – The Singles 86-98
Various – Trojan Club Reggae Box Set
Various – Tighten Up Vol 5
The New Odds – Cheerleader
Hank Mobley – Soul Station
Jackie McLean – New Soil

For once, no PC activity first thing...

Shopping instead, for some excellent rye bread, milk and fruit juice re a breakfast at Crispycat Towers...

Then, some time spent with Anne finalising our projected trip around some large cities in the Northern half of England in the late summer...

Later - after boring myself by playing some of my songs, I drove over to the Gallery of Modern Art to take a look at their new presentation, “Artists Rooms”, for which they have set aside rooms to display specific artists such as Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst, the latter taking up almost half of the ground floor...



Anne’s mum would have hated it...

Her quote, later today, was “any art which needs a paragraph next to it to tell you what it means, is rubbish”...

Now, I wish I could remember the name one of the artists who had just one picture on display...

The paragraph next to it stated that art should have no meaning at all but should be judged solely on the basis of its absolute form – he called it "Absolute Art"...

I doubt Anne's mum would have gotten the irony there...

Back home to an episode of “Robin Hood” then round to Jane and Bobby’s for a family barbecue re Oliver’s 8th birthday this week...

The food was plentiful and of the tasty variety, including a “make your own” bannoffee pie scenario...

Much mucking about in the garden was done, including several adults who ought to know better jumping around on the kids’ trampoline, your correspondent included – oh my knees!



Back home and another episode of “Robin Hood” then wrote this up to some groovy jazz sounds, inspired by brother-in-law Keith’s latest splurge on Amazon which has garnered him a few new titles, with the Mobley set awaited with much anticipation...

A good weekend...

Highlight of the Day : Bouncing up and down like an eight year old...

P.S. here you go...

Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart
Composition 14
1925

Although the geometric paintings of Vordemberge-Gildewart resemble the work of Mondrian, the approaches of the two artists were entirely different. While Mondrian's art evolved from his spiritual beliefs, Vordemberge-Gildewart shunned all association with spirituality, symbol and metaphor.

He argued that art represented nothing but itself, advocating what he called 'Absolute Art': 'The spiritual in art does not exist. .. For absolute art, so-called content and object are totally impossible.'

This austere approach was reflected in the titles of his paintings which are simply numerical. The artist declared that it was his aim to reconcile art and technology.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Thrashing and stuffing...

Playlist
UK - The Best of UK (CD-R)
UK – UK
UK- Danger Money
UK – Night After Night
Cloudland Blue Quartet – Soundingfall
David Gilmour – Live in Gdansk
Asia – The Very Best of 1982-90
David Bowie – Best of the Spiders from Mars 1971-73 (CD-R)
Electric Light Orchestra One Summer Dream : Singles 1972-78
Tangerine Dream - Tangram

Up at 6:15 and enjoying the music of UK while I updated the “Albums of the Month” blog, the “Albums of the Year” blog and this blog...

Took a look at the “Podcasts” blog and found that my next CD acquired will trigger the next 10 track edition...

Just after 8, as I waited for Anne to waken up, I listened again to the new LP – first time for a few days and it’s holding up nicely...

Breakfast at home accompanied by some Pink Floyd classics courtesy of Mr Gilmour in Gdansk...

Then off down to Dumfries for the Queens v Clyde game...

We stopped off at Auchen Castle near Beatock for a quick lunch...



Superb soups – haddock and potato for me, asparagus and peapod for Anne...

Tasty...

I was apprehensive about today’s game – Queens needed a point to be safe again in the 1st Division...



They were two up within 15 minutes, three up in twenty five but they have had an annoying habit this season of losing strong leads so, when Clyde pulled one back before half time, I was still nervy...

However Queens’ fourth came just after the restart and this was followed by a further three in quick succession – 7-1 was the final score...

Here are the celebrations...



All eight goals were superb, four cracking shots from the edge of the box, a superbly struck free kick (for Clyde) and three individual efforts involving much dribbling and beating of defenders...

This is Stephen Dobbie, the Division’s top scorer...



He bagged four of Queens’ seven goals today – what a player...

The official report is here...

Of course we did feel sorry for Clyde (for whom I have a soft spot as my mum’s uncle once played for them and was a regular in their Directors’ Box from the fifties to the seventies)...

A quick chat with the guys I was with at the Partick game a fortnight ago – they were in the QoS Directors’ Box today – then off back up the road...

This time we stopped in Biggar and enjoyed an extremely tasty (and mightily big) Indian meal at the Taj Mahal...



Poppadoms, mixed pakora, lamb karahi each...

Stuffed as we drove the last leg home to find this on teletext...



A taped “Robin Hood” and “Law and Order” then perusing the net re the game, then writing this then off to bed a happy fat man...

Highlight of the day : Let’s see...the mighty QoS methinks...

Friday, April 24, 2009

Ladies, babies, surprises and planning...

Playlist
Depeche Mode – Sounds of the Universe
Wings – Wingspan : Hits and History
UK – The Best of UK (CD-R)

My colleague of many years and favourite girl in the offices of “The Man”, Margaret, surprised me by taking me for lunch today in honour of my upcoming 50th birthday...

What a nice lady she is...

While we were away, Kris-with-a-K commandeered my camera, resulting in the following...



He desecrated the Billion Dollar Baby’s head but I can’t being myself to show you how...

Suffice to say the baby was not best pleased...



A quick drink on the way home with further ladies Caroline and Sorcha...

The new Depeche Mode on seemingly huge CD Walkman (not having had the time to rip it to the Jukebox yet), soundtracked the day...

Much of the evening was spent organising a trip to some major cities in the North of England later this year...

My only viewing of choice was to have been a taped “Big Bang Theory” – however, we found the tape was blank, the Freeview Box having infuriatingly slipped off the channel...

Oh well...

We decided to venture down to Dumfries tomorrow to see Queens take on Clyde in a big six-pointer – if Queens win, they will be safe for another season – with me in attendance, it is definitely not a done deal...

Highlight of the Day : Organising a holiday...

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The priest who loves meringues...

Playlist
Argent – All Together Now
Alice Cooper – Trash
Three – To The Power of Three
Roy Wood – Singles 1971-1976 (2CD-R)
Depeche Mode – Sounds of the Universe

To HMV at lunchtime and procured the new Depeche Mode album for nine quid...

On the way home, spotted this young lady seemingly using some plant stalks as a mobile phone...



After some excellent Red Thai Chicken Curry from Anne’s kitchen, we drove to my mum’s, soundtracked by the impressive new Mode LP – considerably more arty and up its own arse than the PSB latest but none the worse for that – it’s no crime for DM to take themselves “seriously”...

Mum was in good form – and, it seemed to me, much better than a few weeks ago when we attended Lex & Moira’s Golden Wedding celebrations...

I realise of course that this is just my own perception and I was seeing her again back in her own domain...

When she’s outside and I can see her in perspective to the wider world, with her bent back and inability to walk unaided, I feel annoyed at her for getting so old...

And, I suppose, her mood too must change whenever she leaves her home as it must bring home to her how debilitated she is...

Anyway, enough of that, we had a good old chat tonight between the three of us and I found out that the first piece of tech my mum remembers having was her family’s first radio set...

My parents got their first TV in 1959, just before I was born – their thinking was, that with two kids, they wouldn’t get out so much, so a TV would be ideal...

Their first colour set wasn’t till January 1972 – their first car was 1967 I think...

In those days of course, the TVs were rented (as the radio had been – hence Radio Rentals) – I can still remember as a very young boy, the smell from the TV repairman’s soldering iron as I’d watch him sorting out something or other having removed the back of the set...

Amongst other stories Mum gave us a few stories about the local priest, whom she proclaimed had “emptied the chapel”...

Apparently he’s an ex-governor of Wormwood Scrubs, having moved into the priesthood only after retiring early (on a damn fine pension by all accounts in the village) and he does love a meringue...

Mum also advised that the old gentleman she visited every so often as part of her Church duties had died - he was 98 but still very active, often spending the day painting...

So, maybe another 48 years?

Doubt it...

Pinapple cakes and coffee were enjoyed before we headed home in time for “Question Time” and “This Week”..

Highlight of the Day : A visit to my mum...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Kaput...

Playlist
The Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Rheostatics – 2067
Wings – Wingspan
Tom Waits – Used Songs
David Gilmour – Live in Gdansk
The Chemical Brothers – Brotherhood

Another lovely morning soundtracked by tasty albums from The Beatles and Rheostatics...



To FOPP at lunchtime for the first time in a while and there were new bargains to be had...

Five DVDs and four CDs were purchased...



On DVD “Terminator 3”, “Ratatouille”, “The Science of Sleep”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Life is Beautiful”

On CD, best of discs by Wings, Tom Waits and The Chemical Brothers (“that’s a bit trendy for you” said colleague Tracey – might have cut me to the quick but she is a George Michael fan) and a live 2CD set by David Gilmour (which I downloaded a few months ago and never listened to)...

Prep for the album release continued today as the covers were secured...

In the evening, roped into the footie to make up the numbers yet again – one goal in a 4 v 4 match which my team, the Whites, lost by just one goal – my right knee is kaput though and, once again, that might have been my last game...

Some much sought after refreshment...



...followed an excellent dinner from the Exec Producer’s kitchen – fillet steak with mushrooms, onions and fries in a creamy pepper sauce...

My mobile is also kaput so, with the Exec Producer having recently bought a new one, I got her old one (which was once Count Brodski’s phone, so not even 2nd hand) and have Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” as my ringtone – I am thinking of changing it to Fripp & Eno’s “Swastika Girls” though for more obscurity kudos...

Ended the night with much mucking about on the PC as Picasa picked up all the moved pics and I wrote out yesterday and today whilst enjoying the block rockin’ beats of the brothers chemical...

Lights out...

Highlight of the day : Back to FOPP/Anne’s cooking

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Nerve loss...

Playlist
Cloudland Blue Quartet – Soundingfall
Various – Albums of the Year 1986-2003

The album is indeed well and truly finished but I listened once again just to make sure as I made my way out into an overcast morning...



The plants in the garden are starting to sprout – summer is on its way...



Was home in good time to go out to Out of the Bedroom and sing a few songs or indeed along to Jim Park’s Comedy Club...

I sang through some songs in the back room and lost my nerve – maybe next week...

So I stayed in and carried out some housekeeping on the computer, transferring 26GB of pics from the PC hard drive to the new 1TB external hard drive...

Watched TV while this was happening – all I can remember though is the first in the new series of “Ashes to Ashes” (on tape) which was promising and I will continue to partake...

Highlight of the Day : Ashes to Ashes...

Monday, April 20, 2009

Loopy garage adventure...

Playlist
Esbjorn Svensson Trio – Leucocyte
The Bad Plus – For All I Care
Music Music Music – What’s a Good Boss Anyway?

Up early and watching some Queen of the South highlights on Youtube...

A lovely sunny Spring day today...





...soundtracked by some excellent new jazz...

Still balmy this evening as we headed to the dark of the cinema for the second Monday running...



Once again I was irritated by my fellow audience members pre the film but, during, was thankfully able to put any distractions out of my head as we watched “In The Loop” at the Cameo, following on from a quick tea at the Filmhouse café...

Very funny indeed, with Peter Capaldi’s reprised from the excellent “The Thick of It” character, Malcolm Tucker, taking top marks...

Recommended (I am no reviewer you will see)...

Standing at the bus stop around 9pm waiting on a No 26 to take us back to Crispycat Towers, old chum Colin Shepherd came along the street having spent the warm evening working at his newly acquired allotment...

We’d not seen Colin for years – he used to work with Anne in her days in the Civil Service and we would often see him, after they had both left Her Majesty’s Service, at soirees at the abode of erstwhile music collaborator and sometime fellow Dancer of San Martino, Peri Urban, aka Stewart Robinson...

A good chat was unfortunately curtailed by the arrival of our bus...

Back home and Meg the Black cat went out for a wander while we watched “Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle”, sadly the last in the series – I wonder if it will be recommissioned?

As time rolled on and I snoozed whilst trying to watch Omid Djalili (one for the old I-Player methinks), our wee black cat was conspicuous by her absence...

We had seen local new boy kitten, Rory Custard, on the roof of next door’s garage acting strangely and, as Anne became more concerned and headed out into the night clutching a rattly box of cat biscuits to shake and attract our missing pet, frantic miaowing was to be heard from inside said garage...

It was a chastised wee beastie which emerged from the makeshift prison at midnight as neighbour Pietro very kindly came out and unlocked the garage...

Off to bed, relieved...

Highlight of the Day : Meg emerging from the garage unscathed...

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Last minute...

Playlist
Cloudland Blue Quartet – Soundingfall
Robert Lippok – Robot
Future Pilot AKA - A Galaxy of Sounds
Various - Albums of the Year 1959-1985
Various – Compilations Jukebox on Shuffleplay

Up just before 6 and worked on this collage of the songs on the new album...

Soundingfall Collage 7:07


Breakfast at home at 9 (duck eggs on toast) accompanied by said album for the Exec Producer’s final seal of approval – Thunderbirds are Go!

It was a beautiful sunny day but I did not venture forth...

I worked on transferring DVD soundtracks to CD, listened to some of my favourite music, read some of the Brian Eno biography I received at Xmas and watched the opera “The Little Prince” on DVD...

To Anne’s mum’s for the family tea – with cake for wee Ollie’s 8th birthday on Wednesday – I forgot the camera...

As we left the house, Queen of the South were beating league leaders St Johnstone 2-0 away from home – by the time we arrived, it was 2-1 Queens – then, with two minutes to go Saints equalised...

However, the mighty QoS pulled it out of the bag and scored a winner with almost the last kick of the ball – so that’s two away wins in a row against the top two teams in the league...

Nephew Craig had two articles printed in the Sports section of Scotland on Sunday today – so far he is unpaid but, hopefully, soon, that will change...

Back home, I ran through a few songs in the back room – thinking of playing on Tuesday but we’ll see how it goes – and worked out the chords for Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” from my 1979 album of the year, “The Wall”......

Excellent rendition of the old E Major chord there big man...

“Match of the Day 2” then bed with the Comps Jukebox on the Cans...

Highlight of the Day : Queens win in the last minute...

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Drink, drank, drunk...

Playlist
Cloudland Blue Quartet – Soundingfall
Various – American Graffiti
Iggy Pop – Party
Various – Strange Country

Up early and working on the cover for the new LP now that the music side is finished while Meg the Black Cat investigated some Jazz from what looked like a cosy wee spot...



I also uploaded the new versions of parts 1 and 2 of "The Sound of the Fall", now with added rhythm section, along with the final mix (after much tweaking, chopping and changing) of "My House Could Be Your Home"...

For brunch, I popped out and bought some free range duck eggs and pork and apple sausages...

Spent most of the afternoon bringing the Crispycat Website up to date in preparation for the release of the new LP on 4 May...

Watched the first half of Arsenal v Chelsea before heading out to meet Arsenal Chris in S Queensferry for the second half in The Ferry Tap...



Unfortunately, Chelsea won 2-1...

More drink softened the blow for Chris and we ended up in the Queen’s Spice Indian Restaurant for some lovely curry – both Chris and I enjoying a Lamb Madras while Anne opted for Lamb Tikka Rogan Josh...

After a walk through the town...



..and admiring the floodlit Railway Bridge...



...we drove Chris back to Fife and had another drink (your correspondent, in driving mode, enjoyed Ginger Beer, Diet Coke and Diet Irn Bru during the evenings shenanigans)...

We dropped Chris off at his fifth pub of the night on our way back home...

He doesn’t have a drink problem – he seems to find it quite easy...

Highlight of the Day : Getting ready for the new LP...

Friday, April 17, 2009

Look and listen...

Playlist
Various - Favourite Groups on Shuffleplay
Pet Shop Boys - Yes

A quiet day...

Spent the evening with Anne and Meg the Black Cat listening to Pet Shop Boys and watching TV - taped "Law & Order" x 2, "My Name is Earl", "Big Bang Theory" and "Jonathon Ross"...

Have so far rejected three cover designs for the new LP...



Lights out...

Highlight of the Day : Big Bang Theory...

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Dreich...

Playlist
Various - Jazz Jukebox on Shuffleplay

Shuffleplay is a great thing - you hear tracks you'd probably never think of choosing to play yourself...

Out into a dreich morning...

This is the fish van I see every Tuesday and Thursday...



Nothing much to report today now the LP seems to be finished at last...

Attended a seminar on Forex Trading at the Radisson SAS Hotel in the High Street - interesting...

Back home, Anne was out with Lynn and, with Ross on taxi duty rather than me, I spent the evening watching TV (an old "Law & Order : Criminal Intent") and surfing the net...

Lights out...

Highlight of the Day : Forex learning...

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The thirty eighth day...

Playlist
Cloudland Blue Quartet - Soundingfall
Gentle Giant - Interview
Mercury Rev - Stillness Breathes1991-2006

Apropos nothing - the fruit bowl...



Burned what would be the master of the new LP but, on listening this morning, still not quite happy with "My House Could Be Your Home"...

Fopp at lunchtime - nothing bought - a chance meeting there with Count Brodski...

In the evening, a quick fix on "My House" - removing some handclaps, lowering the volume of others and Bob's your uncle...

Re-burned (for the umpteenth time) and I think that's it...

Listened in the car on the way to fives - my return making up the numbers...

A good, enjoyable, even game 5 v 5 for a chnage - but tragedy with 10 minutes to go as one of our number suffered a severe ankle injury - which brought to mind this day...

Back home, spent the rest of the evening working on ideas for the cover...



This could be it - we'll see...

Highlight of the Day : Album finished? Back to footie?

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The thirty seventh day...

Playlist
Cloudland Blue Quartet – Soundingfall
Robert Lippok - Robot

Worked again first thing on the latest mock up the new LP and it soundtracked my day...

Watched the first half of Chelsea v Liverpool (which ended 4-4, Chelsea going through 7-5 on aggregate), before heading back to work on the troublesome "My House Could Be Your Home"...

Toiled again and then sought the advice of the Exec Producer on matters...



Within 30 minutes we had the final mix – that’s why Anne is the Exec Producer...

And so, burned yet another mock up but this may be the one – the running order’s right, the songs are gelling together and I like the LP again – I think maybe it’s finished after an aggregate of around 37 days’ work...

Amended the cover to reflect the new running order and timings...

It occurred to me to release it on Monday 4 May, my 50th Birthday and give away the first 50 copies for free to celebrate – we’ll see...

Highlight of the Day : Album finished – now to packaging...

Monday, April 13, 2009

County man...

Playlist
Cloudland Blue Quartet – Soundingfall
Various – Compilations Jukebox on Shuffleplay

Spent some considerable time first thing this morning working on the mix for “My House Could Be Your Home” and fine tuning the two parts of "The Sound of the Fall" before setting off into town in good weather, listening to the album on the cans...



In the evening, Anne met with me and we made our way to Tollcross to the Cameo Cinema and enjoyed a coffee/orange juice prior to the film “The Damned United”, regarding Brian Clough’s career up to and including his 44 day “reign” at Leeds United...



This is a period in English football (1968-1974) which I remember well – I started getting into music big time in 1972 but, prior to that, footie was my main love (Arsenal was my team from 1970/71 onwards – Scotland-wise, being a protestant from Glasgow, I was a rangers supporter – but, of course, also followed Queen of the South due to their very attractive name) – so the events of the film struck a chord with me...

Michael Sheen was excellent as Clough as was Colm Meaney as his arch rival, Don Revie – it’s a good film – in a very British way – and I came a way entertained and educated despite, like the recent “Frost/Nixon” film which also stars Sheen (and which copped out on the actual events), the rather large chunks of artistic licence on display...

Drove home...



...where Stewart Lee entertained although the advertised show on religion was postponed and he talked about comedy instead – perhaps as it was Easter Monday today?

Ended the day with another 90 minute stint on the elusive “good” mix of the song...

Bed at midnight...

Highlight of the Day : The Damned United

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Smeeee, heeee...

Playlist
Vanilla Fudge - Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge - The Beat Goes On
City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love
Future Pilot AKA - A Galaxy of Sound
UNKLE - Psyence Fiction
Various - American Graffiti
Horace Silver - Doin' the Thing
Eels - Meet the Eels
Various - Cloudland Blue Podcasts

A very busy day...

Up early and to the PC writing up the diary, ripping CDs and creating the latest two Cloudland Blue Podcasts (see link) which document the last 20 CDs acquired...

Anne was tending to the garden and did a splendid job...



Half an Easter Egg each...

Listened to the new City and Colour album and the Eels as we watched Villa v Everton...

I gave up at half time and retired back upstairs to work on the song "My House Could Be Your Home"...

I broke off for the weekly shop at Tesco with Anne...

Back home we enjoyed last night's "Dr Who" special...

Then back to work - plagued by much drop out - probably due to the number of tracks being used on this very short song...

Excellent tasty dinner of small fillet steaks with mushrooms, onions and fries and pepper sauce...

Back to work and, before I knew it, it was 9pm and time for the last "Red Dwarf" - I used to love the show and this "comeback" reminded me of just how much...

Ended the day back upstairs, finalising the new version of the song, posting up the new podcasts and writing this up for today whilst listening back to the podcasts...

So, "busy" for me means writing and posting four days of drivel on the blog, creating and posting two new podcasts, and spending hours on end on a three minute song that no-one's probably remotely interested in...

Great...

Onwards and upwards...

Highlight of the Day : Red Dwarf I think, Red Dwarf and Anne's cooking...

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Return to Maryhill...

Playlist
Cloudland Blue Quartet - Callingstill
Cloudland Blue Quartet - Doveloveshawk
Cloudland Blue Quartet - Ampersand
Cloudland Blue Quartet - Anotherhappyday
Cloudland Blue Quartet - Deeperdown
Cloudland Blue Quartet - Ersatzreal
Cloudland Blue Quartet - Soundingfall
Vanilla Fudge - Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge - The Beat Goes On
City and Colour - Bring Me Your love
Future Pilot AKA - A Galaxy of Sound
Robert Lippok - Robot
UNKLE - Psyence Fiction
Various - American Graffiti

Despite a bit of a hangover from last night, I was up in ample time to head down the road at around 7:50 to catch a bus into town...

The weather was lovely...



..and I liked this blue and green scenario...



In town for 8:20 and through St Andrew Square...



To the bus station and caught the 8:30 to Glasgow, alighting at 9:45...



My bus soundtrack was my last seven albums on shuffleplay - to convince myself that it's worth persevering with the new album - in that the new tracks stand up to those I've recorded over the last 12 or 13 years...

To FOPP of course and three discs bought - UNKLE, Horace Silver and a collection of Rock'n'Roll and doo-wop favourites...

Round the corner in Missing, I decided to look through every disc and found the latest from Dallas Green, whom we discovered on TV in Prince George on our Canadian trip last year - he goes by the name City and Colour (Dallas and Green - geddit?)...

Also a 2CD set of Vanilla Fudge (nothing previously owned), a 2CD set by one of Brodski's faves, Future Pilot AKA (again nothing previously owned) and an interesting EP from To Roccoco Rot's Robert Lippok...

Then the subway and a walk up Maryhill Road to Partick Thistle's ground for hospitality at today's match with the mighty Queen of the South, courtesy of Partick's sponsors, Ignis...

A year ago today, Anne and I were at Hampden to see the amazing 4-3 victory by Queens over Aberdeen - today's game was almost as important..

Partick needed a win to stay in contention for the title, Queens needed a win to alleviate relegation worries...

Queens played very well indeed and ran out 2-0 winners with no real trouble, scoring two quite spectacular goals on the way...



I was at the "usual" Queens table with ex-chairman Norman Blount and his brother and their two friends - so the chat was much Queens oriented...

Post match a lift into town and to the station for the trip home on a busier bus than that which had brought me through this morning...



Home around 9 - the sky was darker but still clear as I returned to Crispycat Towers a happy man...



Anne was happy too, having watched Hearts pull back from behind to draw 1-1 with Celtic at Tynecastle...

I arrived just in time to see the second of the three parts of the new "Red Dwarf" adventure - we watched part one last night but I kept falling asleep - I shall need to watch it again at some point..

A good day...

Highlight of the Day : Seeing Queens win...