John Davidson

I am sad to learn about the sudden passing of John Davidson.

Photo from Wedding Strings Con Amore

We first crossed musical paths on a recording session for The Lost Songs Of St Kilda. Along with others I had arranged a piece to be recorded by The Scottish Festival Orchestra with whom John was a cellist and fixer.

After that experience I asked John to help me put together the musicians for my Hamilton Mausoleum album. The same players later played a live concert in the mausoleum.

John was a gentleman. He reassured me and supported me when - with my lack of formal musical training - I was apprehensive about presenting my music to classical musicians. In our first conversation he put me at ease. And during the mausoleum recording he was happy to go the extra mile. It was a long day in a cold building. But, with a blanket round his knees in the fading light, John kept on until the last note was recorded.

Sad to say the last time I saw John was at the funeral for the brilliant Justine Watts who led the ensemble at the mausoleum session.

My thoughts are with his loved ones.

Toast, you say?

Great drummers help make great songs great. Farewell, Rick Buckler. Who knows how many budding bedroom drummers played along with the records you made?

Sending Janice Forsyth positive thoughts at this time. A steadfast champion of the arts in Scotland and a 'radio pal' to millions of listeners over the years.

I am reading Alan Bennett's "Killing Time".

I enjoyed this:

Backlisted discussing The Moon's A Balloon with Rupert Everett is worth a listen, says I.

An extract from the diaries of David Sedaris:

I am writing music for a TV project that I can't tell you about.

Teenage Fanclub may have a wee announcement shortly.

I am glad to be part of this Bob-themed celebration on Dec 8th in Glasgow

You do know Camera Obscura are touring UK/Ireland in May/June, right?

And now...........some art.

Tinkety-tonk, old fruit.

Good And Evil

I am glad to have composed the music for this powerful film directed by Stephen Bennett. I will post the transmission date when I know it.

I'm looking forward to this...

I *hope* to have a special guest with me on bass. No clues. We'll see. Tickets here.

Talking of Bob - I saw A Complete Unknown. It was fun. I thought Ed Norton as Pete Seeger was particularly good.

In other news Teenage Fanclub are coming to Ireland. See all upcoming dates here.

I've been re-watching Inside Number 9. Adrian Dunbar is brilliant in Hurry Up And Wait.

I recently attended GOOD AND EVIL in Pittencrieff House by Dunfermline artist Ian Moir. I had seen this central picture as a work in progress: 

It was great to study the finished result in the flesh. It's huge in all its detailed, disturbed glory.

And here is a sketch from a photo of Nietzsche's death mask which was also on display at the same exhibition:

Why not head along?

I saw the Transatlantic Sessions show at Celtic Connections, Glasgow. It was fandabbydozy. Loudon Wainwright was a highlight. The late John Herald once told me that Loudon was one of the most powerful live performers he'd ever seen. I think I understand why.

Oh - here comes Kitty:

And here comes some art (I just sold one of these):

Norman Raeben

Adios x