26 April - Morrissey and Sons & Daughters @ Greenock Town Hall.

This tour was to promote Morrisseys latest album "Ringleaders of the Tormentors", which debuted at number 1 recently. I do like the new album, but it just seems like more of the same and there doesn't seem to be anything new, but its still growing on me and I am enjoying it. That said, a few years ago it seemed that we'd never have any new Morrissey material so we should be overjoyed by every new released and on the whole I'd say I am.

Sons and Daughters opened tonight and they were excellent. I'd seen the support Franz Ferdinand at the QMU before but they've come on leaps and bounds since then and I must admit that I could watch and listen to lead singer Adele Bethel all night. They played a few new songs, which also sounded great, although Johnny Cash was the highlight for me, what a top song.

This tour follows the last with s few dates in Town Halls. I like these quirky dates and rather than buy tickets for the Carling Academy in Glasgow decided to travel to Greenock Town Hall instead. These gigs seem to be more intimate and different than normal big venues and this was no exception.

The set list was exactly the same as that of the first night of the tour in Manchester and was;

'First Of The Gang To Die'
'Still Ill'
'You Have Killed Me'
'I Just Want To See The Boy Happy'
'The Youngest Was The Most Loved'
'My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye'
'Reader Meet Author'
'Girlfriend In A Coma'
'To Me You Are A Work Of Art'
'I Will See You In Far Off Places'
'At Last I Am Born'
'Let Me Kiss You'
'Trouble Loves Me'
'A Song From Under The Floorboards'
'How Soon Is Now'
'Life Is A Pigsty'
'Irish Blood, English Heart'

It was a really good night but Mozza gigs are a bit predicatble now and aren't as special as they used to be, but I'm sure that won't stop me seeing him again this year at some point, of that I have no doubt.

Al

I'm currently listening to...

1. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - "Rabbit Fur Coat" (Rough Trade)
2. Be Your Own Pet - "Be Your Own Pet" (X L Recordings)
3. Nick Drake - "Five Leaves Left" (Island)
4. Morrissey - "Ringleader of the Tormentors" (Attack)
5. The Wedding Present - "George Best" (Cooking Vinyl)

Plus shed loads of 7" singles!

19 April - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins @ GUU Debating Chamber, Glasgow.

I still can't believe that I managed to get a couple of tickets for this. Being slow off the mark, all agencies soon advertised that the gig was sold out but a last ditched attempt was successful and I am so glad I persevered.



The Debating Chamber at Glasgow University Union (not to be confused with the Queen Margaret Union) is like a church and I recon holds about 400/500, and it was the first time I'd been but I'd heard excellent reviews especially after Arcade Fire played there and the reports were right. Its very intimate without being small, and by being all seated meant the views were all pretty much unrestricted.

Jonathan Rice opened, I suppose it's easy to get support slots when your going out with the main act and his set was ok, I'm not a huge fan. He’s a bit like 90s Scottish band Del Amitra for me and I won't rush out to see him again.

But the same certainly can't be said for Jenny Lewis. Her set was amazing and the best gig I've been to this year. She wouldn't be out of place in the 60's and I hope she'll be as fondly remembered as the top women singers of that decade as she is easily as good. A beautiful voice, assisted by the fine Watson twins, and some of the most beautiful songs I think I've ever heard. If you don't already own her new album "Rabbit Fur Coat" then go out and buy it, believe me you won't be disappointed.

4 April - Guillemots, Beerjacket and Mistys Big Adventure @ King Tuts, Glasgow

I offered to sell cds for Beerjacket tonight; therefore I totally missed his set, although from where I was standing it sounded excellent. The sound was tip top and there were a good amount of people in despite the very early start.

Mistys Big Adventure was by some way the strangest band I have ever seen. There were about 10 of them and the lead singer seemed to be dressed as a Muppet. Not my cup of teas but they seemed to have healthy following.

I love The Guillemots and their set didn't disappoint, however as I was completely knackered I left early but satisfied by the half hour I saw. They will be huge and deservedly so in my humble opinion.

21 March - The Raconteurs @ ABC, Glasgow.

Seeing Jack White onstage in a small venue like then ABC in a kilt and the same band as Brendan Benson and a bass player seems like some strange dream, but it is indeed true. Taking a break from The White Stripes and teaming up with his old friend Brendan Benson, he has formed a band but although I did enjoy the show, I'm not sure exactly why he has decided to do it.

I'm a big fan of The White Stripes and Brendan Bensons solo albums but together I'm not sure if it entirely works. Some of the songs sound decidedly White Stripes influenced and the others like Brendan. I'm sure they will do well but I have the feeling it will do more for Brendan’s career than Jacks.

12 March - The Concretes (postponed)

Woke up today and the world was white. About 2 feet of snow covered Coatbridge and any chance of driving to Mono for The Concretes album launch was gone. What a disappointment, even worse was the snow was cleared on Monday morning meaning we couldn't even have a nice duvet day from work.

19 March - Beerjacket and Lou Hickey @ The Mixing Rooms, Glasgow

I'd never been in The Mixing Rooms before and it’s a strange set up. A thin long room and the stage, for want of a better term, is half way along the wall directly across from the main door. So the singer is 5 foot away from the comings and goings, which must be at very annoying.

Beerjacket seemed to be affected by this and even more so by the constant talking, which again in such a small venue must be off putting, but as per usual he played some great tunes and showcased his new album Accident History, which I would advise everyone to buy.



Lou Hickey was excellent, a lovely voice and accompanied by one of my favourite instruments, the cello! Check her out on myspace.