First time in the Hug and Pint, BM had assumed it was the former Captain’s Rest but it’s in fact the former Liquid Ship, a boozer I was never in – Captain’s Rest is next block and is now called Munro’s…
In the week that Bowie died (the papers missed a headline though: “Bowie Cremation – Ashes to Ashes”, it’s what he would have wanted…) and junior doctors in England went on strike (favourite placard: “Jeremy Hunt is an a+++hole, and I should know what an a+++hole looks like, I’m a gastroenterologist”) normal musical service was resumed with the start of Celtic Connections.
Not in the official programme but on the website, the De Rosa album launch was sort of, but sort of not, part of CC, but very welcome either way.
First support was Jason Riddell, a Glasgow based guitar/vocals soloist with a nifty line in guitar picking and strumming, an unusual high and sensitive vocal technique and a self-effacing stage manner. Not many people here at this point but those who were shut themselves up and listened, he was pretty good, playing some of his own songs and ending with an REM cover, ‘Try Not To Breathe’.
Next up were Featherwest, an unusual trio, BM believes they have been recording with Paul Savage so looking forward to the fruits of that. Angular, a bit electronic with good harmonies, a bit of the Jarvis Cocker about the lead singer/guitarist, and some good beats, quite promising.
De Rosa have been back in action during 2015 (and see current ITM interview). Back to a three-piece with added keyboards/vocalist for this album launch. ‘Weem’ is not yet released but BM thinks the majority of the tracks in this set were taken from it. The placed was packed by this point, and Martin John Henry’s distinctive vocal and guitar sound was most welcome. The new material was somewhat punchier than the De Rosa of old, and all the better for it. Some songs seemed quite nostalgic, harking back as if to old memories, and it would do us well to remember De Rosa were one of the first crop of bands in the noughties (apart from the Proclaimers, ok) to use the Scottish brogue in their delivery of songs. They probably have not had the recognition they deserve but hopefully 2016 will cement this. Main set closer ‘Devils’ sounded really good and the only recognisable song to these ears was a storming encore of ‘Cathkin Braes’, a minor classic. Long may this revival, or reanimation, continue.