Named after the debut single by Teenage Fanclub.
This blog is all about being a music lover in Glasgow; reviews, interviews, memories, old faves, new discoveries (past and present), playlists and more. Thanks for visiting - I hope you discover something amazing you have never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite.
Regular features/playlists; Never Ending Mixtape / Cover Version of the Month/ Trust Me.
Insta - @everythingflowsglasgow
I always try to listen to 6music when I get the opportunity to work from home. More often than not, there will be a cool tune played that I've never heard before.
That happened on Friday when I heard a song on the Desert Island Disco that had me checking online to find out what it was and who it was by. It was Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery.
Avery released Lone Swordsman on September 1st 2020 as a poignant tribute to the late DJ and producer Andrew Weatherall, who passed away in February of that year.The track was released via Phantasy Sound as the B-side to Avery's single Dusting For Smoke, from his album Love + Light.
"I was in my studio the morning I heard about Andrew Weatherall's passing. The track Lone Swordsman is what formed that day. Andrew was a hero, a friend and someone who regularly reminded us all how it should be done, not to mention the funniest fucker around." Daniel Avery
As I imagine many of you reading this blog will know/have guessed, the title Lone Swordsman references Weatherall's project Two Lone Swordsmen, a collaboration with Keith Tenniswood .
Musically, Lone Swordsman is an dreamy instrumental, blending ambient textures with elements reminiscent of 90's club/rave culture. The emotive synths and understated rhythms had me (wrongly) guessing that it was an Orbital song when I first heard it. I love the feeling Avery has created.
The influence of Andrew Weatherall will be felt for decades to come. He was a true pioneer, fearless in his pursuit of different sounds, beats and textures.
"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room." Andrew Weatherall
Lone Swordsman is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE
Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.
I wanna hold you up so high, you're gonna need a space suit
Trust me #65
Tonight In Belfast - Orbital, David Holmes and Mike Garry
I originally wrote about Belfast back in April 2021, but it has been nice to write about it again following the release of a new version involving David Holmes and the poet Mike Garry..
Belfast is one of the most blissful and sublime electronic songs that I am aware of. Warm synths, bubbling synths, funky cool beats (never overpowering) and a sample of soprano Emily Van Evera performing O Euchari are all blended together to create something truly magical.
And, oh, what about those heavenly chords that have helped thousands of dancers and ravers put their hands in the air over the years?! Swoon!
The layers of the song are utterly gorgeous and the way things slow down to sheer bliss towards the end is like ecstasy on record. Belfast is spine tinglingly incredible. It gives me all the feels.
David Holmes booked Orbital to play the Art College in Belfast after falling for their debut single Chime. The Hartnoll brothers left a demo tape of a new song which they subsequently named Belfast after enjoying themselves so much in the city.
Many years later, Orbital invited their old friend David Holmes to remix Belfast for their hits/compilation album 30 Something to mark 3 decades since their debut single.
Holmes treats it with the tender love and care you would imagine, stretching it out to 12-minutes, allowing even more time to get lost in the synths, grooves and beats. I get tingles and rushes listening to this.
Is it just me, or do I hear Holmes hinting at Joy Divisions's Atmosphere at times? I can imagine this being mixed in perfectly.
Belfast is still inspiring and now the song has taken on another direction after DJ Helen suggested to the poet Mike Garry (who previously came to my attention with his poem An Ode to Anthony H Wilson) that his poem Tonight would sit perfectly over Holmes remix.
Top suggestion! It fits like a glove!
Garry's Mancunian soul pours out over the top of Holmes and the Hartnoll brothers electronic magic, coming in just after 2-minutes with the opening verse.
Tonight, I just wanna paint pictures of you
Write poems and songs and novels, all about you
I wanna hold you up so high, you're gonna need a space suit
Mike (and DJ Helen) know when to let the music take hold, letting everything go at 3 minutes 45 seconds into sheer bliss before beats kick back in. Then when Garry comes back in a minute late, he sounds as lost in the music as I have been many, many times.
And we can build new mountains for us to climb is my favourite line. Garry sounds beautifully loved up (he originally wrote the poem to read at his wedding)
Tonight, you're gonna need a space suit
I wanna hold you up so high, you're gonna need a space suit
What a romantic genius! What a brilliant collaboration.
After 3-months of featuring Teenage Fanclub songs by Norman Blake, Gerry Love and Raymond McGinley, the monthly Trust Me feature in my blog veers off into wildly different territory courtesy of Orbital and their song Belfast, one of the most sublime, blissful, dreamy and euphoric tunes I have had the pleasure of hearing and experiencing.
I say experience, as watching Orbital perform Belfast in the Barrowland to a sea of saucer eyed fans with hands in the air, or in a sweaty tent at T in the Park, or listening to it in a pub/club or post club party was always an experience.
Belfast is a song that cuts through the air like a knife, it makes you stop in your tracks. If you've heard it before then a broad smile will begin to plaster itself across your face. If you're hearing it for the first time then you may well ask 'what the f**k is that?'
I think the first time I heard it was in O'Henry's Bar (now the Yes Bar) in Drury Street in Glasgow, across from the famous Horseshoe Bar. Some friends and I used to book the downstairs basement, set up decks and play an eclectic mix of music. It was usually me, my friend's Reddy, Phil and Chris.
Chris played a great mix which took in everything from Candy Flip covering Strawberry Fields Forever to crazy techno. But the end of his set was one he stuck with for at least a couple of years - Orbital and Underworld. Chris ended the night by playing Orbital's Chime into Rez by Underworld, into Belfast - heaven on earth!
Orbital's III EP, released in January 1991
Tracklisting - Satan, LC1, Belfast
Still sounding fresh, vital and futuristic 30-years since it was released, Belfast begins like a cinema soundtrack, as if you know something important is going to happen ... something is!
Synths begin to bubble, the chords become warmer, then we are introduced to the fantastic use of a sample of soprano Emily Van Evera performingO Euchari that heightens the senses and really starts to take the listener off on a beautiful dreamy journey.
Loads of synth sounds are introduced, beats become heavier, there are multiple layers and then a riff comes in to whisk you higher still.
The sounds, the layers, the production, the way everything is pieced so beautifully and so perfectly together is just sublime.
At 3 minutes 30 seconds everything cuts to beats, it's only for a mere 19 seconds, enough for you to catch your breath, before the synths start bubbling again and we're in for another 4-minute ride to the stars.
This is electronic psychedelia, created in a cupboard at the top of the stairs (see link below to Paul Hartnoll's story). Kind of punk, kind of crazy, all kinds of amazing, sheer bliss!
Orbital - brothers Phil & Paul Hartnoll
Around 6-minutes things start to slow down gradually, this is when Belfast reaches peak bliss (at least for me), things slow, leaving you kind of hanging in a higher state of consciousness as the song edges towards conclusion at 8-minutes 10 seconds.
This epic slice of electronic heaven received the title Belfast after Orbital played the Art College in Belfast in May 1990. The duo had been booked by David Holmes and Alan Simms, leaving behind a demo tape which included the track subsequently named Belfast in recognition of the positive experience they'd had in the city.
Trust me - this is as good as it gets. Even if electronic music isn't normally your thing, try this out with your headphones on and your eyes closed.
And below you'll find the released version in all it's ecstatic, euphoric, electronic splendour + a live version from one of the many incredible sets that Orbital have played at Glastonbury over the years.
You can find a playlist of songs in my Trust Me series by searching for Everything Flows Trust Me on Spotify, or CLICK HERE You'll also find links to all previous blogs in the series below.
18 songs are added to the Never Ending Mixtape this month. It all started back in October 2016 when I finally signed up to Spotify after years of saying I never would.
I still buy physical copies of records and cd's, but have to say that I am loving Spotify and the way I can discover music - new and old. And I've always loved making mixtapes, compilations CD's, playlists.....and now I have the never ending playlist with new tunes added monthly.
It's all oldies and goldies this month; indie, pop, motown, electro.....loads to check........ the link to the Spotify playlist is below and the latest tracks are listed below that.
Star - Primal Scream
Blissful from Primal Scream
How Does It Feel To Belong? - Primal Scream
Dreamy psychedelia - stunning b-side that a friend reminded me about.
Juxtaposed With You - Super Furry Animals
One of my favourites from the Welsh wizards of melody and psychedelia
Dry The Rain - The Beta Band
A gem, a true gem. I caught them at their last ever show at the Liquid Room and the crowd just kept singing the refrain after they had finished.
Silent Sigh - Badly Drawn Boy
This guy could pluck a gorgeous melody from a rubber band - beautiful
I Love You - The Bees
I love the feeling and production on this song.
Baby I Need Your Loving - The Four Tops
What a tune! Pleading, emotional and uplifting - soul.
I Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Listen to Smokey's voice - incredible
Jimmy Mack - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
A current fave with the kids in my house, so simple and so clever.
(I'm A) Road Runner - JR Walker and the All Stars
Got to keep on keeping' on!
Just A Little Misunderstanding - The Contours
A fave - love the feel and flow of this.
Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S) - Edwin Starr
Just full of hooks, this will have you singing on first listen
Belfast - Orbital
This once soundtracked the end of many a night out - blissful bubbling and soothing synths.
Pacific State - 808 State
You Wish - Nightmares On Wax
What a groove!
Same As It Ever Was - The Herbaliser
Another brilliant groove
Music Takes Me Up - Mr Scruff and Alice Russell
Mr Scruff is one of the best DJ's I have ever seen, I love his eclectic style and taste and monster sets.
Salvation - Rae and Christian
Was lucky enough to catch a rare show by this Manchester band at King Tuts many years ago. How beautiful this?!
There is a show coming on BBC2 later on tonight that will celebrate 20-years of Scotland's largest music festival - T in the Park.
The journey of the festival and the people behind it has been truly remarkable in that time. While I've not been every year, I have certainly been to my fair share. Looking back at the line-ups, I think I went the first 7-years to start with.
It is almost a right of passage for teenagers to head to Balado for a weekend of music.
I thought I would write a blog with 20 memories of my own journey's to T in the Park;
Oasis at T in the Park, 1994
Still one of my all-time fave gigs, only it wasn't a gig, it was a cup final with Liam and Noel even playing football on stage. They were on the crest of an unstoppable wave, a tsunami, they were incredible. I would LOVE to see a video of this.
Rage Against The Machine and Cypress Hill turn up, 1994
Back in 1994 we didn't have mobiles or the internet, so festival rumours swept like wildfire. Back in 1994 we also couldn't believe that someone had booked some of the biggest and coolest bands in the world to come and play in a field in Hamilton!
With announcements that the bands were held up, things were not looking good. However they both played and even jammed a couple of songs together. Both had massive hits back in 1994 and remain cult bands to this day.
A human pyramid to Crowded House, 1994
I popped my festival cherry in 1994 and have a lot of fond memories. People building a human pyramid to a huge cheer during Crowded House in glorious sunshine was just a real festival moment that brought everyone together. Neil Finn egged them on and it was pretty impressive!
Pulling a Levellers fan!, 1994
Yeah I pulled a crusty. She was from Manchester and she was gorgeous!
Kylie Minogue, 1995
Kylie played in glorious sunshine and i was determined to get near the stage. I ended up leading a conga and snaking my way through the crowd to see her in the flesh. Poptastic!
Black Grape, 1995
Quite a few memories from this year as it was just so glorious. Black Grape kicked up a dust storm with their party set. A crowd of us were right down the front and it was brilliant.
Someone over turning a portaloo at the campsite, 1995
Funny but quite sickening at the same time. Especially when the person came out - eeuuggghh!
Going to see the Bluetones instead of Radiohead, 1996
Not my best memory of T - totally the wrong choice, as much as I love The Bluetones.
Camping - 97
Another sunny year - the first one at Balado. Their was a huge crowd of us that went up from Carluke and we got there really early to set up camp and drink some beers. Then some lads challenged us to a game of football. It was brilliant, that year was just really special. Lots of friends, sunshine and good music.
The campsite cheer, 1997
A cheer started going around the campsite, everyone started joining in. It was incredible, building and building, getting louder and louder, it was tribal. Then everyone started heading in one direction to congregate near a tent with a huge soundsystem and started dancing. If only we had had phones to record the footage. The guys tent got trashed!
Natalie Imburglia, 1998
I was in love with Natalie and in love with 'Torn' - still a stunning piece of pop music that sounds fresh to this day. Natalie wowed the crowd and me. I was maybe a little easier than others!
Echo & the Bunnymen, 2003
Skipping a few years as we head to 2003. The Bunnymen were first or second on the Main Stage, where my sister Carla had just texted to say she was rather ill after drinking a bit too much the night before. The sun was out and The Bunnymen blasted through their back catalogue.
Polyphonic Spree, 2003
Talking of my sister, she introduced me to a rather special band that year; the technicolour explosion that is the Polyphonic Spree. They were absolutely superb, that debut album was brilliant. Wearing tartan robes had the crowd in the palm of their hands from the off.
Underworld, 2003
One of the best live acts I have ever had the pleasure of watching; ranging from the Barrowlands to Benicassim with T in the Park in between. On this occasion they closed the NME stage and they closed it in epic fashion with Karl Hyde really getting the crowd going.
Orbital, 2004
What a show this was. One of the brothers last before they called it a day, only to come back again. We were down the front, 'Belfast' and 'Chime' were just perfect. And did they drop Bon Jovi or Belinda Carlisle - or both? Good times.
Chemical Brothers, 2004
We hot footed it over to the Slam Tent after Orbital where the Chemical Brothers blew the place away with hit after hit. Tim Burgess joined them on stage looking rather worse for wear but the romp through 'Life Is Sweet' was a hit with me.
The Magic Numbers, 2006
How could the sun not shine for a band like The Magic Numbers. Their debut album was the sound of summer for me that year and they attracted a huge crowd to the main stage.
The Charlatans, 2006
The Charlatans again. I've seen them more than any other band. This show was one of the best I have ever seen them at.
Vigo Thieves, 2012
And so to last year when Vigo Thieves played the BBC Introducing Stage - I say played, they tore it apart with a euphoric set that showcased exactly how big their songs are. Check this incredible fan footage for 'Heartbeats'.
This weeks 5 for Friday has just been inspired by hearing the sublime 808 State on Lauren Laverne's 6 Music show.
So we'll kick off with them and see where we go...
Then we go into the jazz infusioned 'Rose Rouge' by St Germain, I used to DJ occasionally in Glasgow and this always went down well.
As we're going with kind of blissed out, ambient, chilled tunes, this is a real classic from Groove Armada. A hands-in-the-air, hug-your-mates moment.
Ooh the memories of post night clubbing parties...
We'll pick up the pace and bring things forward with 2 Bears and 'Church'. Joe Goddard from Hot Chip at his best. And how about a bit of Orbital to end - gorgeous bubbling synth sounds.
