Scottish Folksinger and Songwriter
Well folks it’s getting very interesting with the first indyref poll showing Yes in the lead today by 51 to 49. The tension is becoming unbearable.. Can’t remember anything like this ever. Here’s a completely gratuitous Scottish image.
Finished work on my latest CD yesterday, so a few hours down at the river Tay seemed like a good way to celebrate. The fishing wasn’t particularly good but nature provided a wonderful autumnal backdrop. This is a spot I haunt a lot called Plain Water, below a set of rapids loved by kayakers. I watched an osprey dive bombing a large blue heron, its huge beak raised like a bayonet.
Below me there were a couple of salmon fishers on a boat. a huge salmon sploshed a couple of times across from where I was fishing for brown trout.
A beautifully marked wild brown trout from the River Tay. I caught four and lost a really big one..the language was somewhat choice..
This place resets my soul…
Stuart Duncan at Redbarn Studios, who is editing, mixing and mastering my new CD. He is a wonderful combination of hardworking and cheerful as well as having a great pair of lugs. Today he was putting up with me not enjoying listening critically to the same songs for a hundredth time. I’m looking forward to getting out and playing them…
Yesterday Sandy was put through his paces on the judo mat by one of the stars of the recent Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow. Louise Rennicks won a gold medal for Scotland right at the start of the games. She regularly comes to Perth to help coach youngsters. Scottish Judo won a total of six gold medals at the Games, right at the start – which was a huge boost for the Scottish team that went on to have it best ever Games. Sandy has grown about six inches in the last eighteen months, putting quite a strain on his wardrobe.
Last night I made a guest appearance in a Show Called ‘Far, Far from Ypres’ at Perth Concert Hall. Organised by old friend Ian MacCalman it is a wonderful collection of songs and narrative about the First World War. It featured songs from many stalwarts of the Scottish folk scene including Dick Gaughan, Ian Bruce, Brian and Siobhan Miller, Stephen Quigg, the Sangsters, Patsy Seddon, and piper Gary West. BBC’s Ian Anderson linked everything expertly.
I was singing my song ‘Jimmy’s Gone to Flanders’ which Ian Mac has kindly suggested was an inspiration for the character of Jimmy macDonald in the show. It was a powerful and moving event that I am greatly honoured to have been a part of. The show will continue be be presented in other venues in Scotland and beyond, having already been performed a Glasgow’s Celtic Connections and The Edinburgh Festival.
Photo from late afternoon soundcheck.
