Honey by TeenCanteen

So my sisters band TeenCanteen release 'Honey' via Neu! Reekie Records this weekend. Only it's not a record, it is actually a cassette! Not just any old cassette but a delicious honey scented cassette!

Each tape comes wrapped in lino print on seeded paper which you can plant and when you do, a small patch of wildflowers will grow! A download link is thankfully included for those without cassette players.

On to the song...

'Honey' was recorded at the Old Mill Studios in Strathaven and is mixed by Bill Ryder-Jones, formerly of The Coral, now striking out on his own via Domino Records.

'Honey' is a beautiful song, a cross between a polished 60's girl group ballad mixed with the raw edge of punky Throwing Muses style guitar pop.

The melody and lyrics hooked me instantly (not that I'm biased or anything).

He is fun, like the sun, and he never complains

But I'm a mess, I confess, I am more like the rain

He is perfect like a cirlce

And a summer shade of purple

He's the crash of the wave, he makes me misbehave

He's the only one I want, so it pains me to say

That I'm a square trying to fit in a circle

And I am red when I want to be purple

........

The contrast between the slow and considered verses to the raw and fast flowing chorus that has a real sense of freedom is refreshing. There is even a good old fashioned false ending at one point.

We just talk about the weather

Not the fact that we're together

But he knows I'm so in love with him

That I'll stick around through thick and thin

Like honey

There are some glorious harmonies and the lyrics are heartfelt but with a sense of humour.

I look forward to hearing what TeenCanteen have to offer in the future.

Norman Blake at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, 24/02/12

Last Friday I conveniently set up some meetings in Edinburgh so I could stay through after work and head along to the monthly arts event Neu Reekie.


Set up by Michael Pederson the night takes in film, literature and music. I've been meaning to go since the inception of the night over a year ago. As it is the last Friday of every month it always seems to clash with something in Glasgow, or with family commitments. This has resulted in me missing musical guests like Stevie Jackson and Duglas T Stewart.


After a few beers with friends from work I jumped an extremely expensive taxi up to the venue, down a wee lane off the Royal Mile.


After some outstanding beat poetry from New Yorker exiled in Edinburgh Lagh over some funky jazz and a crazy short film it was time for Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub.

A short 15-minute set was scheduled so Norman got cracking, starting with a gorgeous version of 'Dark and Lonely' from the last Teenage Fanclub album, the sublime 'Shadows'.


This was swiftly followed by the Jonny song 'You Was Me.'


Norman then played a cracking acoustic version of 'I Don't Want Control Of You' that brought a small tear to my eye as the song has really taken on a new meaning since I became a Dad last year.


Every day I look at a different face, this feelings getting stronger with every embrace


The usual Fanclub humour was evident when Norman played a one note guitar solo to a huge cheer.


Norman was joined by his friend Chloe on flute for one of my favourite songs 'Did I Say', forgetting the words half way through caused him to play the whole song again. No complaints as it is top class.

Norman ended with Chloe playing keyboards, Adam Stearns playing a little gadget and his great friend Duglas on kazoo with Norman getting one for the closing instrumental; a brilliant take on the Velvet Underground's 'What Goes On'.


A great night was had by all. I also got to speak to Norman and Duglas and things are sounding very promising for a new Fanclub album in record time (maybe I shouldn't hold my breath on that) and a Bandits album in the summer!