Mailbox The List, 14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TE or The List at the CCA 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD or email letters@list.co.uk
MODERN WARFARE Re: Butterfly Kisses Who doesn't love the Glasgow institution that is Dee’s in Trongate? The Specials shopped there when they played Glasgow last year, and what's good enough for The Specials is good enough for me. Sadly, Fred Perry don't think
the same way. They have recently stopped supplying Dee's. Is anyone else up for pledging never again to grace the Fred Perry shop in Buchanan Galleries with their presence? If so, please write to their head office in Covent Garden to explain why. The address is: Fred Perry,
24 West Street, London, WC2H 9NA Your sincerely Lucy Reynolds
CITIZEN SMITH Re: John Smith – Map Or Direction Great album from an artist unknown to me before I saw him supporting David Gray in Bristol, December 2009. One of those support acts that kept the crowd interested from the start, and was given a rousing send off at the end of his set. Great delivery of his material and even had some witty banter to go with it. Well worth a listen if you like accoustic
LETTER OF THE FORTNIGHT HOUSE OF FUN Re: Beach House – Teen Dream (648) I am totally bemused by your review. Having heard a lot of hype via Grizzly Bear, Sub Pop and Bella Union, and the reviews online, I thought it wasn’t going to live up to the hoohaa. But ... Oh my God. It’s certainly one of the best records of the year already Doug. I cannae believe your comments. Very weird. The songs totally stick and don’t leave! ‘Norway’, which is on every time I turn 6Music on, is so infectious, and I love ‘Zebra’ too. I will be buying it the moment it comes out. Spotify is OK likes, but not like the real thing! Clarisse, Glasgow
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE ONE BOTTLE OF THE BLACK GROUSE WHISKY Smoky and Smooth – a marriage of fine peated Scotch malt whiskies and The Famous Grouse
music with substance and what a great guitarist. Loved his percussion guitar style. Strongly recommend going along to see him if he performs near you. Peter M Comment posted at List.co.uk DIFFERENCE OF OPINION Re: Golden years – Tracey Emin Although I am the first to admit I haven’t digested her entire life’s work, I am yet to see anything that marks her
out as being anything other than mediocre, lazy and severely overrated. She cites Egon Schiele as
an influence. Well, occasionally I can see a loose connection, but one would have to suffer from some form of insanity to draw a worthwhile comparison.
Rewards and recognition should purely be on the basis of the ability to produce great artworks, but this should be wholly based on innate talent, hard work and practice, inspiration and, at times,
useful guidance.
Often in the world of art too much importance is given to what we have between our legs, how we use it (our orientation), our colour and ethnicity or our cultural background. Such considerations can
inform or inspire interesting or inspired work but should not be a passport to recognition when your artistic ability is at best questionable.
I accept that various
minorities suffer genuine prejudice and this does to an extent explain why female artists for example tend to be neglected. At a technical level, historically (by that I mean the ability to observe, draw and paint) there have been a number of female artists who could stand as tall as ANY of their male contemporaries. Rosa Bonheur and Elizabeth Thompson were particularly gifted at their respective genres. I read Ms Emin’s CV and
apparently she is a woman of words and one would hope this would be a recognition of some element of intelligence, as opposed to the obnoxious drivel she seems to be adept at. Gary Davies Comment posted at List.co.uk
Next issue out Wednesday 3 February
All Loved Up While wanting to avoid the gushing, greetings card industry version of Valentine’s Day, we do want to give all lucky-in-love List readers the chance to make the best of the most romantic day of the year. Pick your present, restaurant and hotel carefully with our lovers’ guide. Hot Chip Geek alert. Cerebral synthesiser strike force Hot Chip are back to show you the meaning of ‘wistful electronica’ with a new album and Scottish tour dates. We review the record and get hip with the Chip.
YOU’VE GOT 15 DAYS TO LIVE 96 THE LIST 21 Jan–4 Feb 2010
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor Robin Hodge Director Simon Dessain EDITORIAL Editor Jonny Ensall Assistant Editor Kirstin Innes, Henry Northmore, Allan Radcliffe, Claire Sawers Subeditor Hamish Brown Research Manager Suzanne Black Research Siân Bevan, Tasmin Campbell, Rosalie Doubal, Laura Ennor, Henry Northmore, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd Editorial Assistant Niki Boyle Editorial Intern Kimberley Manderson, Alice White SALES & MARKETING Advertising Sales Manager Brigid Kennedy Senior Media Sales Executive Juliet Tweedie Media Sales Executive Aimi Gold, Jess McGrath Business Development Executive Adam Coulson Business Development Manager Brendan Miles Sponsorship & Promotions Manager Sheri Friers Promotions Executive Amy Russell Circulation Executive Murray Robertson PRODUCTION Art Director Krista Robertson (Maternity leave) Senior Designer Lucy Munro Production Manager Simon Armin Production Assistant Miriam Sturdee DIGITAL Web Editor Hamish Brown Senior Developer Andy Carmichael Senior Designer Bruce Combe Software Developer Iain McCusker ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Renwick Accounts Assistant Tasmin Campbell Office & HR Manager Jo Morgan Glasgow Office Manager Sharon Stephen Reception Amy Russell SECTION EDITORS Around Town Kirstin Innes Books Brian Donaldson Clubs Henry Northmore Comedy Brian Donaldson Dance Kelly Apter Eat & Drink Donald Reid Film Paul Dale Kids Kelly Apter LGBT Allan Radcliffe Music Claire Sawers News Anna Millar Shopping Kirstin Innes Theatre Allan Radcliffe Travel Kirstin Innes Visual Art Allan Radcliffe