The first track from the new album Understated. The first blog single was ‘Too Bad (That’s Sad)’.
Tag Archives: Scotland
Loch Lomond – Virgin Mountain (2013)
The Portland, Oregon ensemble returns with a bold, sweeping collection of new material: poignant, jubilant and eccentric in equal measure, it’s a masterclass in subtle grandeur.
Lulu – The Man Who Sold The World (1974)
The song was covered by the Scottish singer Lulu in 1974, who, according to biographer David Buckley, performed it in “a sleazy, almost Berlin cabaret style”. Lulu would recall Bowie inviting her to a concert he gave after which he met her in his hotel room saying: “I want to make an MF of a record with you because you’re a great singer.” Lulu – “I didn’t think it would happen but Bowie followed up two days later. He was übercool at the time and I just wanted to be led by him. I loved everything he did. I didn’t think ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ was the greatest song for my voice, but it was such a strong song in itself. I had no idea what it was about. In the studio Bowie kept telling me to smoke more cigarettes, to give my voice a certain quality.” Bowie produced the Lulu recording of “The Man Who Sold the World” with Mick Ronson during the Pin Ups sessions and also contributed guitar, saxophone and backing vocals. The remainder of the band included Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, Mike Garson on piano, and Aynsley Dunbar on drums. Lulu’s “The Man Who Sold the World” was released as a single on 11 January 1974 having been introduced by Lulu on the TOTP broadcast of 10 January 1974: the track only made its Top 50 debut (at #27) on the chart dated 16 January 1974 following a reprise performance by Lulu on the 24 January 1974 TOTP broadcast with a third TOTP performance by Lulu on the 7 February 1974 broadcast facilitating a boost from #13 to #5 on the chart dated 9 February 1974. In her TOTP performances in support of “The Man Who Sold the World” Lulu has been characterized as “dressed and sounding exactly like a diminutive Bowie”. On the UK Top 50 dated 16 February 1974 Lulu’s “The Man Who Sold the World” rose to #3 which proved to be the peak position for the track which subsequently made an accelerated chart descent with its overall Top 50 tenure being a comparatively brief nine weeks. Internationally “The Man Who Sold the World” afforded Lulu a major hit hit in Ireland (#8), the Netherlands (#10) and Germany (#13): the track was also a minor chart item in Australia at #81.
Paul Buchanan – Wedding Party (2012)
Part eulogy (for a friend who died), part celebration of peripheral moments which inform the everyday with flecks of epiphany, the songs (titles like Half the World, Wedding Party and Summer’s on Its Way are as evocative as the work of Edward Hopper) bleed into a poised, tingling whole. Fin de Siecle is a gorgeous Nyman-esque instrumental, but this voice can sing “the cars are in the garden now” over and over and leave you marvelling at its poetic accuracy. On the closing After Dark he offers, “Life goes by and you learn / How to watch your bridges burn,” and gently brooks no argument. [Source]
Miaoux Miaoux – Autopilot (2012)
Second blog single (first one here) from Miaoux Miaoux’s brilliant sophomore album ‘Light of the North’ released June 11th, 2012, on Chemikal Underground. Miaoux Miaoux is 26-year-old Glasgow based producer Julian Corrie, who makes spacey hypercolour indie dance pop that recalls the best of Erlend Oye, the soundscapes of Mogwai and the irresistible hooks New Order. With a stunning live show, where improvised loops and guitars collide with fizzing synths and low-slung bass, as well as producing slamming remixes for the likes of Silver Columns and Discopolis, Miaoux Miaoux looks set to make an indelible mark on 2012.
Paul Buchanan – Buy A Motor Car (Elegance Remix) (2012)
Buy A Motor Car (Elegance Remix) is from the forthcoming single release of Buy A Motor Car.
The song, according to Paul, is about “…escaping or urging someone to escape a claustrophobic relationship, as far as I can tell..”
Visuals created by Dave Daniels @ Tandem Films
Mid Air is available to purchase from the following places
Amazon (CD) - http://amzn.to/midairamazon
Amazon (Vinyl) - http://amzn.to/midairvinylamazon
Paul Buchanan.com (Digital) - http://paulbuchanan.com/
iTunes (Digital) - http://bit.ly/pbmidairitunes
Paul Buchanan – Mid Air (2012)
The Blue Nile never sold lorry-loads of albums, but for converts to their unique fusion of romantic melancholy and robust hope they remain one of the finest, most quietly righteous bands of all time. The Glasgow trio who floated effacingly onto no scene in particular in the mid-80s have parted, and singer Paul Buchanan, now 56, releases his solo debut. It’s unconscionably beautiful, and may be the most moving, precious record of 2012. [Source]
Paul Buchanan – My True Country (2012)
Blue Nile fans have learned to be patient. Very patient. In 30 years, the Glasgow band have only managed four albums. And now we’re about to (sort of) get a fifth, as Paul Buchanan has released the details of his upcoming solo album, Mid Air. We’re not ashamed to admit we did a bit of a cry when we heard the free download track. And then almost did a bit of a wee when we saw the limited edition boxset that’s available only as a preorder from Paul’s website. [Source]
Lightships – Two Lines (Raf Daddy Remix) (2012)
Lightships, the new musical outpost from Gerard Love, release their debut album Electric Cables on the 2nd April. Electric Cables is an album of tender, observational songs, played with an invigorating and easy sense of purpose; the sound of friends enjoying one another’s company and allowing ideas and experiments to flourish. It’s a complex and rewarding record that you’ll want to keep coming back to. The band are celebrating this launch by releasing a free download of a remix of opening track “Two Lines” by house music supremo Raf Daddy of the Greco-Roman collective and half of The 2 Bears. It adds a driving beat, electronic haze and killer bassline to the beautifully chiming guitar line already present in the shimmering original track. The album was recorded by Gerard Love and such Glasgow-based luminaries as Dave McGowan (guitar, Teenage Fanclub), Brendan O’Hare (drums, from the first incarnation of Teenage Fanclub), Tom Crossley (flute, International Airport and The Pastels), Jim McCulloch (clarinet) and Bob Kildea (bass, Belle & Sebastian).
Lightships will be performing their first ever shows at the beginning of May, playing shows at Glasgow’s CCA on Friday the 4th of May and The Lexington in London on Tuesday the 8th of May.
Order the album here http://bit.ly/yyWf4K
Paul Quinn & The Independent Group – Will I Ever Be Inside Of You (1995)
The Independent Group featured James Kirk (guitar, of Orange Juice), Blair Cowan (bass guitar, from Lloyd Cole and The Commotions), Campbell Owens (drums, of Aztec Camera), Robert Hodgens (guitar, of The Bluebells), and Postcard Records founder Alan Horne. The group’s first album The Phantoms and the Archetypes was released in 1992. After a further single, “Stupid Thing”, Hodgens was replaced by Mick Slaven (formerly of Jazzeaters and Del Amitri), Steve “Skip” Reid (formerly of Associates), Andy Alston, and Jane Marie O’Brien. A second album, Will I Ever Be Inside of You, was released in 1994.The band performed at the Glasgow Film Theatre, playing songs from the album while clips of films including Midnight Cowboy, The Loveless, Taxi Driver, and Un Chien Andalou played behind them.
[via Nat Beskos]
