The Delgados at The Barrowland

Photo by SLG Photography

After 17-years away, The Delgados returned to a live stage in Glasgow on Burns Night, bringing their own unique poetry and music to the hallowed turf of the Barrowland Ballroom.

Andrew Wasylyk was a phenomenal choice to support. Wasylyk is one of Scotland's most talented and prolific artists in my eyes. The string of albums he has released over the last 6-years highlight an incredible ear for music. Think David Axelrod soundscapes; soulful, jazzy, atmospheric ...  Wasylyk was in his element, lost in the music, playing piano but also singing along to the melodies. It was beautiful to watch and to experience.

My friend Joe and I had kid duties to attend to before we could head to the Barrowland, but we managed to catch the last 20-minutes of Wasylyk's set, including a sublime Last Sunbeams Of Childhood. Wasylyk thanked The Delgados profusely for allowing him to bring his 8-piece set up on tour.

The Delgados were pretty prompt to come on stage, mere minutes after 9pm. A traditional ballroom tune was the soundtrack to their entrance, lights hitting off the disco ball and causing many to stare up to the beautiful Barrowland ceiling.

If you're going to come back after an 18-year absence then The Delgados method is one heck of a way to do it. The 4-piece of Emma Pollock, Alun Woodward, Stewart Henderson (looking super chiselled and handsome - I believe Stewart is a Fireman these days) and Paul Savage were joined by their friend Graeme Smilie plus a 5-piece string and flute section. 

What a beautiful noise they created!

As a music fan, there are times when you experience something truly special, when everything clicks. This was one of those nights, one of those shows. The sound, the atmosphere, the music, the band and the way the songs connected with the audience. It was emotional.

At times it could be deliciously raw and then the strings could come in and lift the song to higher places. Pollock (half) joked as she introduced the string section 'we'd be shit without them.'

 Strings are central to some songs, they supplement others, adding emotion, a cinematic flair and they transform The Delgados. Do the band write the string sections? They are stunning.

I came away with a greater appreciation for The Delgados and each individual member; Emma Pollock's rhythm guitar playing, Alun Woodward's soul baring lyrics and the way he sings them over lysergic melodies, Stewart Henderson's solid bass groove and Paul Savage bossing the drums. And Graeme Smilie on piano/keys (so important to The Delgados sound) was a gem.

Everything Goes Around The Water set the scene, this was going to be one of those special nights under the Barrowland stars. This feeling was immediately backed up as the band moved on to Accused of Stealing, Pollock's tumbling vocal melodies over Savage's beats, dropping for the gorgeous piano melody.

The Delgados can rock out as well, Under Canvas Under Wraps was delivered at a ferocious and furious pace, sounding like something The Breeders were knocking out in the early 90's.

As much as I love that kind of stuff, when it comes to The Delgados, it's the songs that have more space within them and the songs that have strings that simultaneously play your own heart strings that I truly love.

I recently blogged on American Trilogy as part of my Trust Me series of blogs. Having listened to the song multiple times this month, I've really fallen for it all over again. So to hear and see it performed in the Barrowland felt like an honour. It was a true privilege to witness Alun Woodward sing his brittle heart out on this one.

The Delgados were flying now, lifting the audience up alongside them for the ride. The whole set was incredible, but the second half in particular was particularly captivating. I barely said a word the whole night, but there were a few times when i turned to my friend Joe to either whisper 'what a run of songs' or to just raise my eyebrows and exchange knowing glances.

Did I mention strings and melodies playing with our own heart strings? Yeah, one of those runs of songs was American Trilogy into Reasons For Silence (Ed's Song), then The Light Before We Land, followed by The Past That Suits You Best. 

WOW! We were then almost jolted from a cinematic, floaty dream with the warm urgent guitar pop of Everybody Come Down - one of my favourite Delgados songs.

Photo by Christina Pieraccini

And then we were flying high again on another of my real favourites. All You Need Is Hate. Joe and I were standing in front of the string section. My eyes moved from them to Alun (smiling), to Emma (beaming), Stewart and a little glimpse of Paul Savage lost in his beats. What a f**king beautiful noise. What a song! 

Coming on for the encore, Emma spoke fondly of driving to London to collect 1,000 7-inch singles and with that the band were into debut single Monica Webster. The band tore through it with real relish and love.

The penultimate song was the epic No Danger, piano and strings combining so beautifully, so hauntingly, so movingly, Woodward's soothing vocal melody cutting in, I've been hanging round for days, building to the beats and guitar and finally the chorus.

'cause we don't know we're strong enough

And chances come too soon

But people, people we're not in love

And now we're singing out of tune

Thirteen Gliding Principles closed proceedings, the band departing to a spellbound audience. I was so spellbound I had to be reminded that the band had closed with this song! I think No Danger had literally stopped me in my tracks!

WOW! A near 2-hour set that captivated a sold out Barrowland crowd from start to finish. The Delgados flew, The Delgados soared, The Delgados lifted an entire room of people off the ground and took us all on a dreamy journey on Wednesday night. It was a very, very special evening.

Emma hinted (well basically told us) that they would be playing a Summer Nights show at the Kelvingrove Bandstand. They might need to do 2-nights as I imagine every single person at The Barrowland will be trying to get a ticket and will all have told their friends about what a fantastic time they had at The Barrowland.

Keep an eye on The Delgados social media pages!

American Trilogy

 

Trust me # 48
American Trilogy by The Delgados

Lifted from The Delgados outstanding The Great Eastern album in 2000, American Trilogy reached number 61 on the UK singles chart (11 in the indie charts). The Great Eastern only reached 72 in the album charts (12 in the indie). Evidence that chart positions don't matter when it comes to art.

The Delgados developed their own art form rather beautifully over the years. Improving as songwriters and musicians, working in different producers and bringing in extra musicians. In addition to the band, Alun Woodward, Emma Pollock, Stewart Henderson and Paul Savage starting their own label Chemikal Underground and opening their own studio CHEM19 allowed them to be fiercely independent and also release records by the likes of Mogwai, Arab Strap, De Rosa and BiS! 

 I've enjoyed revisiting The Delgados back catalogue in advance of their Barrowland show on 25th January. The four friends were clearly burning bright with creative energy. 5 albums in just 8-years (1996-2004) is pretty prolific. There is great beauty and depth across this body of work and, for me, one of the real standouts is American Trilogy.

The lyrics, delivered in a gorgeous tumbling melody, to the first couple of verses are confessional, therapy, a call for help and then the chorus explodes gloriously with a realisation.

It's the simple things that crush

And I'm crying far too much

So much that I'm thinking

My control on life is shrinking

There's a light on my head and I'm thinking what I said

All the freedom in my brain

I'm alright now

I'm just thinking, what to say

The third verse is darker, yet with Pollock gently singing under Woodward the beauty remains. Suicidal thoughts are there, then the chorus kicks back in, the uplifting melody with soaring strings makes you think - yeah he's gonna be OK. We're gonna be OK. We can live with it. We can get through it.

But lately I've been feeling that I'm gonna give up breathing

There's a light on in my head and I'm thinking what I said

All the fever in my brain

It's alright now, I can even take the pain

The Great Eastern (2000) was produced by Dave Fridmann. In the previous years he produced Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips (1999) and Deserters Songs by Mercury Rev (1998). It's an astonishing trilogy of albums - no pun intended! Fridmann also produced Mogwai's Come On Die Young in 2000.

Check the official video for the edited single, full length album version and a brilliant live performance for the BBC below. 

Official video

Album version

Live for the BBC

A list of all previous songs I've blogged about in my Trust Me feature are listed below, along with links to each blog. American Trilogy join them.

I've also collated them all into a playlist on Spotify that you can find by searching for Everything Flows - Trust Me , or you can CLICK HERE

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

Never Ending Mixtape part 75

 

Flying Mojito Brothers

The Delgados

Hey

How are you doing?

Welcome to part 75 of my Never Ending Mixtape. Back in the day I loved making C90 mixtapes and then that changed to CD's. Now I enjoy making playlists, some with real thought behind them ... but with my Never Ending Mixtape I just add songs to it whenever I get the notion ... and it works!

My Never Ending Mixtape now has over 2,750 songs on it! I personally enjoy just pressing shuffle and seeing what plays. 

A little tip - If you want to play from the new songs added, click on to the playlist and then go to the top where you can type in the section next to the magnifying glass - 'find in playlist'. Type in Accused of Stealing, then click on that song and away you go!

I have bought tickets for The Delgados at The Barrowland next January and I've enjoyed listening to their back catalogue for the first time in ages. 

Other highlights range from R.E.M. to Peter Doherty - an artist I've not really explored, but have checked a little recently after reading and enjoying his autobiography. Then we have 2nd Grade and Flying Mojito Brothers (photo at the top) - two bands I hadn't previously heard of before, never mind heard a song.

We end with a song by Scottish artist Lizzie Reid (photo at the bottom) - check her out. I hope to see her live in the near future.

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE

As always, I hope you find something you've never heard before that you fall in love with, or that you rediscover an old favourite.

You'll find a list of the latest songs added below;

Accused of Stealing - The Delgados

Make Your Move - The Delgados

No Danger - The Delgados

Everybody Come Down - The Delgados

Dennis Hopper in Easy Street - 2nd Grade

Fall At Your Feet - Crowded House

Weather With You - Crowded House

Something So Strong - Crowded House

The Storm - World Of Twist

Low Expectations - Edwyn Collins

Hang on to Yourself - David Bowie

Dancing In The Moonlight - Thin Lizzy

We All Stand Together (The Frog Chorus) - Paul McCartney

Calico Skies - Paul McCartney

I've Got A Feeling (Rooftop take 1) - The Beatles

Get Back (Rooftop take 3) - The Beatles

The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel

Father And Son - Cat Stevens

Do Your Thing - Moondog

All Our Dreams Are Coming True - Gene Page

Catholic Education - Teenage Fanclub

Fall On Me - R.E.M.

(Don't Go Back To) Rockville - R.E.M.

New Orleans Instrumental - R.E.M.

Into The Sun - Superorganism

Lay Down - DMA's

Falling Hard - Poster Paints

Five Mile Hike - Flying Mojito Brothers

Keep On - instrumental - Flying Mojito Brothers

For Lovers - Peter Doherty 

Free Money - Patti Smith

Arms Around the Sun - Sonny Marvello

Up the Bracket - The Libertines

Don't Play That Song - Aretha Franklin

Albion - Babyshambles

Broken Love Song - Peter Doherty

Someone Else - Peter Doherty

Days Like This - Polyphonic Spree

Hanging Around The Day Pt. 1 - Polyphonic Spree

Hanging Around The Day Pt. 2- Polyphonic Spree

Wop-A-Din Din - Red House Painters

Overcome By Happiness - Pernice Brothers

Warpaint - Lizzie Reid

The Bellshill Beat - Radio show

“Hey everybody, this is Dave Grohl from The Foo Fighters. You’re about to hear the best documentary the BBC has ever done on Radio 1, The Bellshill Beat.”

So begins a mini-documentary, presented by Steve McKenna and broadcast on Steve Lamaq’s show way back in 1998. LISTEN HERE

Grohl threatens to break into a giggle during his intro and humour is at the heart of this documentary. Bands from Lanarkshire have never taken themselves too seriously, as evidenced by some of the many soundbites sprinkled through the show, with Stuart Braithwaite from Mogwai in particularly fine fettle and Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub joking about Phil Collins being a fan… 

Ah the bands! Many are name checked at the start; Belle & Sebastian, BMX Bandits, Teenage Fanclub, The Delgados, Superstar, The Yummy Fur, Mogwai, The Pastels, The Soup Dragons…

Not all of these bands are/were technically from Bellshill (or even Lanarkshire), but it is safe to say that Bellshill played a key role in the Scottish music scene.

‘There was never a scene and there never will be, it was just a co-incidence’

Sean Dickson, The Soup Dragons.

Dickson is probably true. It was always more about friendships and a genuine love of music, rather than creating a scene. The ‘original’ Bellshill Beat bands, fantasies and ideas certainly centred around a friendship between Duglas T Stewart (BMX Bandits), Sean Dickson (The Soup Dragons) and Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub). The trio started releasing music in the mid-80’s and haven’t stopped, occasionally still getting together to play with Duglas in BMX Bandits.

The BMX Bandits family tree

Drawn by Duglas for the Serious Drugs documentary - this will need updated!

In addition to Bellshill, it should also be noted that Glasgow played a key influence in how these friends got to mix with like minded people, with the legendary Splash One club, Stephen Pastel and his seminal label 53rd and 3rd playing major roles.

Back to Bellshill though!

‘I think definitely, a lot of Lanarkshire is quite run down. A lot of the industry has gone.

It’s quite a depressed area in a lot of ways…

There is a need to escape … to escape in your own mind, to somewhere different, to an alternative place, and the rock n roll world is certainly a different place.’

Douglas T Stewart, BMX Bandits

‘Hi this is Norman from Teenage Fanclub.

All I can think of when I think of Lanarkshire is post industrial wasteland.

I grew up in Bellshill, it’s a pretty grim place, there’s not a lot going on there.’

Norman Blake, Teenage Fanclub

Norman and Duglas are sadly pretty accurate regarding Bellshill and Lanarkshire (certainly in relation to 1998 when this show was recorded). Thankfully both, like many others who have gone on to form bands, chose to channel frustrations and imaginations into creating music, drawing great inspiration from classic bands like Love, The Beach Boys, The Velvet Underground and Big Star.

“I think with all of those bands, the most important thing was melody and harmony.

It wasn’t so much musicianship, image or volume.

It was just who could one up the next person on making the sweetest possible melody.

Teenage Fanclub were shameless with some of their melodies and lyrics.

There’s only so many ways you can say ‘I love you’ so many times, but there just didn't seem to be a limit on any of that … and the song stuck in your head for f**king ever.” Dave Grohl.

Grohl hits the nail on the head. Think of the melodies of The Delgados All You Need Is Hate, Belle and Sebastian’s Judy And The Dream Of Horses, The Vaselines Son Of A Gun, Superstar’s Superstar and Teenage Fanclub’s Sparky’s Dream. The melodies, whether psychedelically tinged, or almost nursery rhyme like, are at the heart of everything.

And all of the bands in the documentary have an honesty about them and a punk DIY ethic that serves many of them well to this day. Melodies + honesty + dreams + DIY ethic + hard work … There is no magical formula, but all of these qualities could be applied to the Lanarkshire bands mentioned in the documentary. 

Towards the end of 2021 I blogged on Teenage Fanclub’s breakthrough album, Bandwagonesque, from 1991. A lot of people who are my age and above (mid 40’s) got into independent guitar music through this album and it is safe to say that a lot of people were inspired to go on and form their own bands … and labels.

‘Unashamedly I was a Teenage Fanclub acolyte.’ Stewart Henderson (left), The Delgados

The Delgados played a key role in what was to come in the second half of the 90’s, starting their own Chemikal Underground record label, proving you could do it your own way. Chemikal went on to release a steady stream of eclectic music, including; Mogwai, Arab Strap, BiS and De Rosa.

‘There’s hunners and hunners of brilliant bands have came out of Lanarkshire. My favourite Lanarkshire band is probably The Jesus and Mary Chain, even though William Reid is a wanker. But they’re not really, because I’ve decided my favourite band is actually The Yummy Fur from Blantyre cause they’re absolutely brilliant.’ Stuart Braithwaite, Mogwai. 

‘There’s just a lot of good bands from Lanarkshire, there’s not a scene. In Edinburgh they should stop the sale of musical instruments to the general public.’ Mogwai

The Bellshill Beat Radio 1 documentary is available on YouTube.

You’ll also find a BBC Scotland documentary by Duglas T Stewart under the same name - blog coming on that next month. But check part 1 & part 2

10 records by bands featured on The Bellshill Beat 

(with a few more mentioned for good measure)

1. E102 - BMX Bandits, 1986, 53rd & 3rd

So many people have been in BMX Bandits over the years. In that sense, they have to be considered one of the most influential Scottish bands of all time. So it’s kind of right that this list starts with their 1986 debut single. Ramshackle, loving pop music at its best. It showed others that they could do it. Dreams and fantasies could come true.

2 & 3. Son Of A Gun & Dying For It EP’s - The Vaselines, 1987 & 1988, 53rd & 3rd

Nirvana would cover 3-songs from these very limited release EP’s with Jesus Don’t Want Me For A Sunbeam, from Nirvana’s incredible MTV Unplugged performance really helping on the royalties front for a number of years.

4. I’m Free - The Soup Dragons, 1990, Big Life

Sean Dickson took The Soup Dragons to another level, largely thanks to their indie/dance second summer of love inspired take on The Stones I’m Free. They would follow up the Lovegod album that featured the hit single with 1992’s Hotwired that saw them play huge shows in America and tour the world thanks to songs like Divine Thing.

5. Bandwagonesque - Teenage Fanclub, 1991, Creation Records

A seminal album that Spin Magazine voted album of 1991 over the likes of Nevermind, Screamadelica, Out Of Time and Loveless. Humble as always, Teenage Fanclub were quick to point out that their friend Steven Daly, formerly of Orange Juice, was music editor of Spin at the time. Regardless, this album ages like a fine wine. Check my 30th anniversary blog HERE

6. Serious Drugs - BMX Bandits, 1992, Creation Records

Arguably the finest example of the original Bellshill Beat friendship circle working together. Written by Duglas T Stewart with friends Norman Blake and Joe McAlinden, this melodic, melancholic and reflective song is truly beautiful, with great depth. Blake sings on the released version.

7. Monica Webster/Brand New Car - The Delgados, 1995, Chemikal Underground

I was going to include The Delgados incredible album The Great Eastern, but this is arguably an even more important release - their debut single on their own label that would go on to release records by Arab Strap, BiS (who memorably appeared on Top of the Pops with Kandy Pop) and Mogwai among others. The Delgados learned from the likes of 53rd & 3rd and even Postcard Records before them - they didn’t need to go to London to find a label. They could start their own.

8 & 9. Tigermilk & If You’re Feeling Sinister - Belle & Sebastian, 1996, Electric Honey & Jeepster

Not really a Lanarkshire band, but they're mentioned on this documentary, so ...

Launching with an album on Stow College’s in-house label Electric Honey and then swiftly following it up with their first LP on Jeepster was a mere hint of how prolific Belle & Sebastian were. They would go on to release 3 EP’s the following year and then The Boy With The Arab Strap LP in 1998. They played on the tweeness that others had toyed with, creating their own scene leading to the legendary Bowlie Weekender in 1999 - the bands own festival.

10. Mogwai Young Team - Mogwai, 1997, Chemikal Underground

Mogwai were (and are) a kind of hilarious bunch of young upstarts making at times ferocious, at others euphoric and at others gorgeous music. They were certainly very different from anything else at the time and they still are - unique. They would wear Kappa tracksuits and make for fantastic press with the likes of the Blur: Are Shite t-shirts. Mogwai were quick learners, they would form their own label Rock Action and are fiercely independent - often booking their own shows/tours. Mogwai’s use of song titles to showcase their humour and politics remains to this day.

In Search Of Harperfield - Emma Pollok

Emma Pollok's 3rd album opens with Cannot Keep A Secret and it sets the tone for a remarkable journey through 11 songs that are imaginative, emotive, fun and ambitious. Pollok is in fine form (career high?) throughout - lyrically clever and bold, melodically playful and soulful in voice.

Will you dip your toes gently in the water, send the ripples home.....

Don't Make Me Wait has a sense of urgency with choppy, punky guitar chords backed by strings and pounding drums with Emma searching for a flashlight, just to get through the night

The opening instrumental to Clemency is absolutely beautiful, the combination of piano and strings sound glorious. Pollok's voice is more than a match and she has the ability to vary her vocals across the album to suit the songs and music. One of my faves.

Intermission is anything but, Pollok dives in deep following another lovely instrumental intro

I clutch to my chest

This man I know best

With words only spoken

When put to the test

Hold close to my heart

Will not be apart

From this woman who made me

She's stronger than that

Later on she sings; I'm not asking for permission, I'm calling this an intermission

The album is rich in content - lyrically and musically, one that you can return to and continue to explore. Intermission is a remarkably honest and soulful song, probably my favourite on the album.

Parks And Recreation is a great fuzzy indie guitar pop song with Emma talking about wishing she knew the names of the trees, naming all the leaves and worrying about leaves falling on her. The lyrics are playful and imaginative, there are handclaps and the guitars sound fantastic.

Pollok's thoughts, fears, ideas and imagination are pouring out of her on the album and on Vacant Stare she sings I'm just looking for someone to tell the truth to. She is telling anyone who listens to this album.

There are some truly beautiful moments throughout the album, the content inspires loving melodies and music. Dark Skies is playful and tender.

I like to keep my fairytales on shelves

My Goldilocks doesn't need explaining

Why can't it be just as simple as it looks?

Don't need a sermon to balance these books

The album closes with the gorgeous Old Ghosts. There is a sense of calmness to the song, the playing, production and vocals. Pollok's voice sounds rich, soulful, clear and true.

In Search Of Harperfield is beautiful on first listen, richly rewarding when you return to it - and you will want to return and delve into the lyrics and the melodies and enjoy the gorgeous strings, the stunning piano, the fuzzy guitars and Pollok singing her heart out.

An early contender for the 2016 Scottish Album of the Year.