MUSIC LIST
Edwyn Collins is promoting his second solo single, ‘My Beloved girl’, in a . 16-date tour which takes in Edinburgh’s Oueen’s Hall on Thursday 19 Nov and Glasgow’s Oueen Margaret Union on Saturday 21 Nov. For those who’ve iorgotten, Edwyn was lormeriy singer with Orange Juice, one oi the most erratically brilliant groups oi the early 80s, who split alter their third LP in 1984. Silence was broken when drummer Zeke Manyika’s new band Doctor Love swung into action and when Malcolm Boss’s critically- ravaged High Bees tentatively played a lew gigs, but oi Edwyn was heard little until the characteristically whimsical solo single ‘Don’t Shilly Shally’. So how had Edwyn occupied himsell during his break? ‘At lirst, I was not exactly disillusioned, but I wanted a break lrom it alter Orange Juice to get a kind oi perspective on what I really wanted to do. So I went away on holiday, initially, and then i bumped into my old male Dennis Bovell, and he was the impetus to get the group organised.’ Along with Edwyn, bassist Dovell lorms the nucleus oi the new group. Already an acclaimed reggae producer and artist he was lirst approached by
but the talents of Nicaraguan musicians Luis Enrique, Mejia Godoy and Mancotal should draw those
0 Mama’s eoys Venue, Calton Roao, 557 3073. 7.30pm. Irish hard rock band. Not heavy metal, we’re told, but with a name like that . . .
o Ranacanteen Music Box, Victoria Street, 220 1708. £1 after 9pm. Now gigging again after a lengthy break , this should be enjoyable, if non-stick, pop.
0 Willow" Preservation Hall, Victoria Street, 226 3816. £1 after 9.30pm. Bluesy.
0 Strategy Lord Damley, West Port, 229 4341. 10pm. Free. Modern-sounding rock.
0 The Big Wheel Cassis, Abercromby Place, 557 4744.
SATURDAY 14
0 Mighty Lemon Drops QMU, University Gardens, 339 9784. 8pm. £3.50. One of last year’s next big things, although they have still to encounter any serious success.
Edinburgh
0 The Proclaimers and Fun Patrol Usher Hall, Lothian Road, 228 1155. 7.30pm. £5, £4. Had to chortle at the Independent’s recent description of The Proclaimers’ dress sense as ‘Presbyterian chic’ , but the twins approach their music with a seriousness and intensity that makes for some very moving songs.
0 Alexander O’lleal Playhouse Theatre, Greenside Place, 557 2590. 7.30pm. £8.50, £7.50. Silky-smooth, smoochy soul, in the mode of Vandross, Prendergrass et al. If you
punters fed up with Bragg’s agit-pop.
55‘
their only real hit, ‘liip it Up’. He stayed to work on the brilliant swansong ol the tour-piece betore it was whittled down to Edwyn and Zeke, the mini-LP Texas Fever, arguably their iinest moment since the early Postcard singles. The dubmaster, it seems, intimidated just about everyone who stepped into his studio. Not having heard his reputation, says Edwyn, ‘We thought he was just joking’. The pair have got along iamously ever since.
Andy Anderson, iormer Cure drummer, joined the group alter
iinishlng Iggy Pop’s last tour, replacing
thought Lenny Henry’s Theophilus P. Wildebeeste routine was funny you’ll split your sides at this. 0 The Motorcycle Boy Venue, Calton Road, 557 3073. 7.30pm. See panel. 0 Transaction Calton Studios, Calton Road, 556 7066. o Tam White and The Dexters Platform 1, Rutland Street. R&B meets soul head-on in Edinburgh’s great bluesman’s nine-piece ensemble. Great live act. 0 Alter Eight Mince Music Box, Victoria Street, 220 1708. £1 after 9pm. Pleasant and proficient jazz-funk combo. O Shiver ’n’ Shake Preservation Hall, Victoria Street, 226 3816. £1 after m. 0 Sheer Greed Lord Darnley, West Port, 229 4341. 10pm. Free.
SUNDAY 15
Glasgow
0 The Pastels Mayfair, 490 Sauchiehall Street, 332 3872. Seem to have been around for years, but the Pastels have built up a loyal support in both the music press and around Glasgow. I have never been able to see anything worth admiring in them, as a listen to their ’Up For A Bit With . . .’ album proved.
o RiverDetectives Fixx, Miller Street. 9.30pm. Free. One of the most promising local bands of the moment, the River Detectives are starting a series of acoustic gigs at the Fixx, mixing their own songs with some cover versions. These have very high ‘I saw it first’ value.
Edinburgh
0 Gin Sling and Lin Soundcheck
Dave Bully, now oil with Aztec Camera again. Alex Gray plays keyboards and Steve Skinner, veteran guitarist oi Orange Juice.
‘I really enjoy playing live this time around, because latterly with DJ there was a general ieeling that the group had run its course, so that didn’t make lor the best atmosphere. Four individuals all pulling in dilterent directions on the tour bus didn’t exactly make tor a great situation. i mean, i was as responsible as anyone lor the intensity oi it all, to put it mildly, but this time around, having learnt irom the experience, there’s- and i know it sounds like a bit oi an anachronism - that old rock ’n’ roll gang leeling. There’s got to be that empathy between you -the rock ’n’ roll gang’s coming to town.’ He giggles away, not lorthe lirst time.
‘My Beloved Girl’ is indeed pretty rocky, and well produced, in the sense that it sounds lresh, not bland. It’s not like anything Edwyn’s recorded belore. There’s even a vague hint oi the glam 70s in its brashness and ‘you you’ backing vocals. It’s pretty hot stult and, says the man, a lot more indicative oi his current set than ‘Don't Shilly Shally’: ‘l wanted to make it clearthat it wasn’t going to be a nostalgic wallow in OJ’s greatest hits. ldon’t see why in 1987 people aren’t making 1987 rock ’n’ roll records.’ (Mab)
BAND PROFILE: EDWYN COLLINS
Rock Club, Venue, Calton Road, 557 3073. 7.30pm. £1.50. Weekly heavy rock/metal club, this week featuring Newcastle bands.
0 Tam White and The Dexters Preservation Hall, Victoria Street, 226 3816. See Sat 14.
O Roccoco Oddfellows, Forrest Road, 2201816. 8pm. Free.
MONDAY 16 Edinburgh
0 Fiaco Jimenez Venue, Calton Road, 557 3073. 7.30pm. The grand master of Tex Mex music, over here with his band, The San Antonio Tex Mex All-Stars. Used extensively by Ry Cooder, on his ‘Chicken Skin Music’ album particularly, Jimenez won a Grammy award this year in the patronising-sounding ‘American Ethnic Music’ category. Should be a good one.
0 The Big Wheel Music Box, Victoria Street, 220 1708. 9.30pm. Free. Commercial chart-aimed pop. At least they’re trying.
0 Ransom Preservation Hall, Victoria Street, 226 3816. 9.30pm. Free. Heavy rock/metal.
0 The Volunteers Canny Man’s, Momingside Road, 447 1484. 8.30pm. Free.
0 The Sea Lord Damley, West Port, 229 4341. 10pm. Free.
TUESDAY 17 Glasgow
0 Thomson McCall Fixx, Miller Street. 9.30pm. Free. A band from Hamilton, and that’s as much as I know.
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The List 13 — 26 November 1987 35