Whistlebinkies

Some musings on music coming soon

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It’s late, very late, but I’m determined to write something before I sleep as tomorrow will be another full-on day here in Yorkshireland. Yes, I’m down again, long-time followers will be aware mid to late June is one of my annual trips. It’s ridiculously hot here, Saturday is promising to be 29°C, I’m melting!

I’ll be pooch-sitting for a few days next week, always happy to help out, just as long as I get away by Friday morning at the latest. Well, Jed & Nicole are at Whistlebinkies at 7pm, sooo, well, you know; Saturday afternoon sees the Scat Rats in there too, sweet, but it gets even better!

On Sunday 29th June Carl Marah kicks off another tour for the release of his second single Roll the Dice, this time in the Voodoo Rooms. After Edinburgh there’s London and Glasgow, then three nights on the trot, Ullapool, Inverness and Aberdeen, a fair bit of mileage there. I was kinda tempted by the Ullapool gig, but early July? The midgies will be out in full force, erm, it needs more mulling.

Then, mid July it’s time for the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, sadly there’s no Mardi Gras in the Grassmarket on the Saturday but the Carnival is back on the Sunday in Princes Street Gardens. I’ve had a ganders through the programme, noticed the wonderful Nicole Smit has a show on Wednesday 16th July in the Famous Spiegeltent (this year at St Andrew Square), nice. Her regular music buddy Jed Potts is in there two evenings later, along with the Hillman Hunters.

I was scrolling through the daily schedule on my phone and paused on Those Dangerous Gentlemen, hmm, just something about the name, and then the fact it was at the Leith Dockers, yes, I was right, another pie for Mr Potts! A few weeks later he’s back at this year’s Fringe, five shows with The Blueswater and five with Nicole Smit all scattered through August, so plenty of chances to catch them.

There’s even more chances to see Nicole at the Fringe; she has 1 Gig, 2 Drams, for six nights (I’m intrigued by the song choices to accompany two whiskies!?), and Coven – Major Arcana Energy where the set list is chosen by tarot cards (as its a coven, Nicole is one of three spell weavers). She will also be singing at the next SoundBite evening at Leith Arches, along with Rue Marie and Ailsa & The Seahorses on Thursday 31st July.

It’s really late now, I must away to sleep, just one last thought, Carl’s new single Roll the Dice is released next Friday (Friday 27th June), why not pre-save it now? It’s a great song with an intriguing jaunty rhythm. Honest, you’ll love it!

Another great poster from Mr Marah

Sweet dreams 😴

Gonna hit the tracks again

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I returned from my European Tour today last year; I’d watched Eurovision in a hostel in Vienna, it was a very different experience! This year I’ll just be watching Eurovision in my cave, but then, excitingly, I’m off down to see Logan’s Close in London (they’re playing the New Cross Inn) before jumping on the Eurostar for another train adventure! Nothing actually booked yet apart from London and the Eurostar to Brussels, yes, it begins in just nine days time, but I do have lots of ideas bashing about in my head.

This time I have my experiences from last year, and the fact I made it home in one piece! I wasn’t going to bother with the discounted offer from Interrail earlier this year, but then, I was checking through, deleting emails, on what turned out to be the last day of the offer; it dawned on me that I didn’t have to have a plan right then! So I got me a pass for five days travel in a month. A wee while later Logan’s Close announced the London gig, hmmm, just a jaunt to London would be a wild extravagance, but if I used it as a springboard to another adventure, justified, yay.

I’m thinking Brussels, Bruges, Ghent (I’ve always fancied seeing Bruges but a few folk have assured me that Ghent is better), definitely a couple of days in Hamburg, I really enjoyed my very brief visit last year, so! I had wondered about Cologne but an older sibling has recommended Aachen instead, it must have made a big impression on them – it must be thirty or so years since they were there!

The only thing I must do soon is book the Eurostar back over, along with my train back up to Edinburgh, that’s all in the one day, the 3rd June. The following morning I shall rise and pop to the Fringe office to get two copies of the Fringe 2025 programme and start perusing! Ah, nearly midnight, time I was heading to Whistlebinkies for The Scat Rats, just one more thing, there’s now plenty more in my Instagram highlights of LC on tour ’24, I’ve been reminiscing how good they were 💛

Toodle pip!

Friday Night, Saturday Afternoon

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Yay! Normal service has resumed on my telly! Well, I got a man in. New aerial and cable, apparently it’s a great view from the roof of my tenement block (not sure that will ever tempt me up there). I stayed inside and watched for the cable reel when he dropped it down the front of the building (in case there was anyone passing below!), the bit when he was more outside my window than in the flat, trying to put the cable neatly by the downpipe was unnerving, honestly, I had a strong urge to grab hold of his legs, convinced that he was going to tip right out! He didn’t.

I celebrated with a Strawberry Shortbread snacking bar I bought at the Farmers Market last Saturday from the wonderful Co Co Co. Oh, my goodness, Rob has come up with another masterpiece, they are divine! White chocolate, strawberry mallow and blondie shortbread with a dash of strawberry white chocolate for decoration. All those flavours and textures in every bite!! He’s a chocolate alchemist.

I thought I could do some clever twist there, something about music alchemists turning the same old notes, instruments and voices into a magical, awesome sound. Would you have gone with that or is it only me?! I googled alchemy in music for some validation of my thoughts, hmmm, yeah, no. So anyhoo, Awkward Family Portraits played the Speakeasy at the Voodoo Rooms a couple of weeks ago.

Pure gold, an enchanting, other world atmosphere! Their sound transports you on whims of fancy, a tour through a golden age Hollywood movie lot; there’s some soft shoe shuffle on one stage, a hoedown next door, a charleston, americano, every scene a gem with light and shade, wit and melancholy. The mixture of AFP‘s upright bass, violin and guitar along with Julen Santamaria’s very distinctive voice and the harmonies, all blended to perfection in the intimate setting of the Speakeasy. Oh, my heartses 💛

I floated out afterwards with a contented grin and a need to stroll in the Edinburgh night air. My meanderings took me by the Jolly Judge and through the Grassmarket, where bless my soul, if I wasn’t catching a faint strain of Babestation somewhere nearby! Ah yes, Mr Marah was in Maggie Dickson’s, I’ve never been in before, so obviously it was time I gave it the once over! Not really my style, but I liked it and the bar staff were great, and it’s always fun to hear Carl in pub singer mode. We had a wee chat in his break, then I headed home, er, via Whistlebinkies where The Full Kitkat were in full swing rocking the joint. Yes, one more for the road. Hey, as Friday nights go, it was up there.

The following afternoon I was back in Whistlebinkies to catch the Scat Rats but not until the around the start of the second set (it was a sunny day outside). Now I regularly turn up into the second or third song of the first Scat Rats set, which, by coincidence is often Babestation, a fact that had made Friday night’s encounter extra amusing to me; so imagine my complete surprise that I walked into Binkies and they were playing, yes, you’ve guessed it Babestation! They never play it in the second set, never. I was freaked, but not as much as them…

It being a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon, Binkies was dead, so the guys decided to have fun, mix things up, play whatever came to mind (wish I’d bloody turned up earlier now!) When I still hadn’t appeared by the second set, Carl jokingly suggested they play Babestation as it was a surefire way to conjure me up. Yes, they were more freaked than me when I sauntered in, hahaha!! I was treated to In The Morning (not played in ages), Give It To Me a Logan’s Close classic that I don’t think I’ve ever heard the Rats play before, and newby White Lies played at the last Logan’s Close gig ( I’ve put a reel on my Instagram with two very bad splices between the two versions).

I’ll leave you with one more picture taken on that Friday evening, the old Bank of Scotland building has never looked lovelier. Toodle pip!

Mobsters, movies and music

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Did you watch Boardwalk Empire when it was on the telly? I didn’t, hey, I’m just fifteen years late. One of the many charity shops on South Clerk Street had the first two seasons on dvd for £2 each, hell yes! Steve Buscemi was the man! The first thing I saw him in was the film Miller’s Crossing, another mobster tale, back in 1990 (well worth seeking out if it’s still available). From then on he was forever popping up in my film choices through the ’90s, we’d give a little cheer whenever he appeared, haha.

The whole cast of Boardwalk Empire are excellent (Stephen Graham pops up as Al Capone!). Oo, the whole thing, the attention to detail, mind it is a Martin Scorcese project, so yeah. Honestly, if you even vaguely enjoy gangster stories then check it out; I’ll be keeping an eye out for more of the series. I’ve also been watching the second season of My Name is Earl, I noticed the boxset at a friend’s in a pile bound for a charity shop, it will get there, just a bit later.

Earl Hickey, such a wonderful anti-hero, he’s fallible and flawed, not the brightest spark, he can be downright selfish and mean, but he tries so hard to do good and there is a kind, generous heart in there, and he loves his brother. Earl’s trying to level up his karma by doing right by everyone he’s wronged in his past; I loved this show at the time and yeah, I still love it now (especially his ex-wife Joy, pure trailer trash). And on anti-heroes, I picked up Wreck-it Ralph in a charity shop today, such a great movie, must get me some popcorn!

Meanwhile on the big screen, I went to see Death of a Unicorn last Thursday, just the title had me. A comedy horror with unicorns, Paul Rudd and the guy who played Victor Zsasz in Gotham in the cast? Yes, please (Victor Zsasz was awesome). Hmmm, I did kinda enjoy it, the unicorns were great, but the dialogue and acting felt a tad hammy and lame in parts, such a shame considering all the acting talent involved. The idea was great but the execution was lacking, this should have been so much better; maybe a European re-make could take it there?!

Thursday night this week I saw Novocaine, I’m not really sure what enticed me to go, the film poster looked really naff to me, but hey, I have my Unlimited pass. Wow! To paraphrase Bo Diddley, you can’t judge a film by looking at the poster. Novocaine is funny, well-crafted and extremely violent, I won’t lie, I was flinching and squirming a fair bit, and occasionally just shut my eyes. Hey, the main guy doesn’t feel pain, a clear indication that the violence will be ramped up!

As I just mentioned, our guy Nathan Caine is a mild-mannered assistant manager with a disorder which prevents him from feeling pain and discomfort (including having a full bladder, he has an alarm go off on his phone to remind him to go to the bathroom every three hours). He lives life very carefully and quietly, by day in the credit union office, then straight home to game; he’s also well-versed in medical first aid in case of injury. Enter a new girl at work who persuades him out to lunch and to even try a bit of her cherry pie (Nathan hasn’t eaten solid food in years for fear he might bite his tongue without realising). Our boy feels so alive! They go on a date, have sex, he’s on top of the world! The very next day the credit union gets robbed and she gets kidnapped by the gang….

…. So, a man who doesn’t feel pain, who has just had the best 24 hours in his life, has his new love snatched away by ruthless killers (they kill a lot of cops while making their escape). You just know how this is going to go!! Oh, and one of the gang has left his place booby-trapped to the max (not really sure why, but it sets up a very painful, gory scene). This is a wonderfully madcap violent film, I fully intend to see it again, without shutting my eyes!

The past two Thursdays have also seen me at Whistlebinkies for the midnight band, the same both weeks, the Louis Crosland Trio, he’s rather good, you know. Louis is another fine blues guitarist on the Edinburgh music scene. Besides his own band, Louis has also been playing with the Moanin’ Bones recently; a few of his own compositions can be found on Spotify. The crowd in Binkies last night were loving all the Jimi Hendrix covers, I also recall some Dylan, Stones, and Zeppelin (or maybe that was last week?) As yet I find his vocals a bit lacking at times, but hey, the voice will come with experience and a few more years knocking about; definitely worth seeing if you like your blues with a tinge of rock.

It’s now very late and I notice I’ve prattled on quite enough. I shall leave the other musical notes for next time, hopefully tomorrow?! ‘Til then, a pic of Louis Crosland doing his thang in Binkies. G’night!

Holy Moses!

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I’d pondered on how much I’d enjoy the Amos Moses sound; did a change in lead singer also point to a change musically? Ha, never fear, the lads are every bit as cracking as they were before, different but still the same.

Whistlebinkies was fairly quiet when I rolled in, the band were just setting up, em, not quite all the band, they were one short, one guitarist. No matter, Colm stepped up and played a mixture of both guitar parts. Oh, it was grand, basking in that late 70s rock sound again. It fair took me back to another place and time of heads down, no-nonsense, mindless boogying; friends long gone felt very close by.

The usual Tuesday night eleven o’clock one set suited Amos Moses for a run through of their set on the High Fade tour. The lads were quite obviously enjoying being back in Binkies, almost as much as I enjoyed having them back?! I had thought it would be my one opportunity to see them (not being a big fan of HF I hadn’t bought a ticket), but, well, sometimes, just being my own sweet, unassuming self can bring unexpected joy – reader, I got to see them again on the Friday night in Sneaky Pete’s!

How good was that? Amos Moses before The Scat Rats late Tuesday night in Binkies, then early Friday evening Amos Moses in Sneaky’s before popping along to The Caves for Logan’s Close!! Oh, my heartses!! Manuel arrived in town from Argentina on the Wednesday in time for the HF gigs, so it was a complete Amos Moses that I saw on the Friday. Oh boy, that was such fun! So exhilarating! Some mighty fine rockin’ and rollin’ going on there; really, if you get the chance to see them live, go!!

I couldn’t leave without buying their new cd Live At Oran Mór (from another AM/HF gig in Glasgow last year). Six live tracks to keep me going ’til next time, including my favourite of the band’s new stuff The Lobster it’s a whole heap of fun, I was pleased to see it on there (maybe the next single? Hmm?!) Oh, and new on Spotify is Amos Moses‘ latest single Rock n’ Roll, a great song for that, just waitin’ on summer playlist.

Toodle pip! Next time, that Elsie gig.

A new year, hello

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Errr, Happy New Year everyone! Yes, I know, it’s appalling, ten days into the new year, sorry! I’ve kept meaning to write something, but Gotham keeps getting in the way. I reclaimed my three season boxset from a sibling at Christmas; it’s actually impossible to only watch one episode I’ve decided. No matter how determined I am, it can’t be done. So I’ll at least start something now before I stop for tea and the Scat Rats at Stramash at seven.

It’s now only a week to go until the next full Logan’s Close outing at The Caves, yay. The last update this afternoon said there’s 20 tickets left so I doubt there’ll be any left on the night, just sayin’. On ticket sales, did I mention that the talented Mr Marah has announced a small solo tour, tickets now available? Well, more like quick darts around Scotland and England, so far; if anyone has a sweet local space where he could do his thang, just let him know, help him spread the gospel according to Carlos!

It’s a solo single tour – his first single Siren Song is coming out on St Valentine’s Day, five days before the first show at Sneaky Pete’s (where else!?). You could pop along to Carl Marah on social media and pre-save it, why not? And it turns out, my Instragram reel of Carl playing in the Auld Hundred in December is the Siren Song! See, I just know a great song when I hear it.

More music news, the band previously known as Ol’Times will be back over in Edinburgh next week. Now known as Amos Moses they’ll be supporting Edinburgh band High Fade on their UK tour, but before that starts Amos Moses will be playing in Whistlebinkies on Tuesday night before the Scat Rats at midnight, sweet!! Well, at least that’s what Binkies are saying, for now, you know why I’m a little dubious.

Why the change of name? A slight change in line-up, sadly Gabriele (singer) has moved on, it looks like Colm, guitarist and occasional singer has taken over on lead vocals. But will the new sound move me like the Ol’Times did? Gabriele was charismatic with a raffish charm, exciting to watch; Amos Moses will be a very different band. AC/DC after Bon, Van Halen after Dave, Marillion after Fish; for me, once amazing bands that then barely registered in my ears. But kudos to the band for the name change, it’s a good way to underline the fresh start. Yeah, I’m quite keen to see this new band!

Anyhoo, it’s getting on (did you spot where I broke off for tea?). I could just fit in one episode of Gotham before I turn in. I’ll leave you with my customary New Year Arthur’s Seat pic, my meeting a snowbaby as I headed back down, and Carl Marah‘s tour dates.

My slightly delayed start to the New Year
Even a slight smattering of snow and they appear!!

See, there’s room to squeeze in a few more!

A few quick quavers

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Oo, November’s almost gone – can I write a quick post before it runs out? Just a few musical notes 🎶 Two quickies for those in Australia: I happened to spot on Instagram that Lord Rochester, an awesome rock’n’roll trio I saw in September are on your shores just now, if they’re near you check them out; and Accordion Ryan is taking his Pop Bangers to Perth, WA, for Fringe World 2025, boy, does that guy travel around!

Jed Potts and Nicole Smit are back playing Whistlebinkies regularly, a real mixed bag of treats depending how the mood takes them, country, soulful, playful, bluesy, always a pleasure! A real treat back in October was seeing The Best Bad Influence playing in Stramash, I do hope they come back again soon, I love me a bit of rockabilly.

November saw the Miracle Glass Company playing the Ballroom in The Voodoo Rooms to a capacity crowd (which included yours truly). A welcome return, an awesome evening. I will get round to putting a reel or two on Instagram, at some point.

Oo, for the first time in aaages, Jed Potts and the Hillman Hunters played Stramash, honestly it has been a long while (and it’s been some time since I saw Nicole and the Back-up Crew there, ahem, just sayin’). They were bloody good, of course. And thanks to Mr Potts diligent media posts, I’m debating whether to head to the Jazz Bar for 9pm Wednesday 9th December to see Blueswater play (ticketed, but there’s usually some at the door); also, tickets are available for this year’s Blue Christmas 2024 at La Belle Angele on Sunday 22nd December. If you’re in Edinburgh it’s a sure way to get into the Christmas spirit with plenty of festive favourites performed by some of the best blues musicians around these parts!

Yes, I know there’s a lot to spend your money on in December but don’t forget to buy a ticket to see Logan’s Close in January. While you’re at it, why not buy another for your best pal’s Christmas present? Really, that gloves and scarf set is a lousy present and you know it!

Anyhoo, it’s now December. Woohoo.

A proper Winfrey feel

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Who’s Winfrey? And is a Winfrey feel something I’d like?! Does Winfrey ask permission before he goes feeling around? I guess that would be an improper Winfrey feel. Anyhoo, it’s late Monday evening, I’m debating whether to go see The Scat Rats later in Stramash, later as in after midnight. I am still up and for once spotted Stramash’s Facebook post for the week’s line-up before Monday ends. See, despite the line-up poster for the month and the website both saying it’s the Gorms playing tonight, it isn’t, yet again it’s The Scat Rats, they’ve played the slot for a wee while now but I’ve either been away or not seen the Facebook post til too late. Okay, so the poster has a time when it has to be printed, so the odd change afterwards will happen, but what’s the excuse for not correcting the website, huh?

The lads will be back at Stramash at a very respectable seven o’clock on Friday, oh, and at Whistlebinkies tomorrow midnight. Should I stay or should I go? Will it be all bangers tonight or might they stick in a new number? Oh yes, there’s plenty of new LC tunes coming in the near future and the lads told me back at the end of September that they’d be trying some out at Scat Rats gigs, so far I’ve caught one (with being away so much). And did I ever mention the Logan’s Close gig in January? No, I don’t think I did; originally it was to be in December at Summerhall, but with all the problems ongoing there, the show has been moved to The Caves on 17th January. If you’re gonna be in Edinburgh then, treat yourself to a ticket for Christmas!

Also out and about with new songs is Mr Marah! Yes, Carl Marah has decided to do something with all his other non-LC music, watch this space!! And if you’re very lucky, you may catch the odd one during his solo sets around town. I happened to catch him in the Auld Hundred on Rose Street some weeks ago; it wasn’t particularly busy so he played about four of his own, and boy, they were good! The Auld Hundred is a fine wee pub about halfway along Rose Street, there’s often live music on from nine o’clock and an Open Mic night on a Sunday.

You know what? I’m just going to pop out a while! G’ night!

My inner night owl loved that! It feels so long since I’ve been in Stramash for the late night band, but tonight was a wonderful return. If you’re quick there’s a story on my Instagram. So glad I chose to go. Just do it!!

Messrs Marah and Rough doing their thang

The end of summertime

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The summer is fast running out now, evenings are darker, the wind is cooler but the sun still been dishing out the odd warm day. We’ve had a few days touching 20° since I last posted, and today was rather nicer than forecast, lucky for me as I was in the Park this afternoon doing a bit more brambling. I’d noticed some rather juicy-looking brambles a couple of days ago (no container unfortunately!), so I headed back today once they would have had one more good blast of sunshine (to raise the sugar content).

Brambles can be very deceptive little sods; they might look shiny black, ready, but nope, still clinging on tightly refusing to budge. Others look ready but are actually overripe, too much juiciness that almost explodes on touch. A ripe, well-formed bramble will come away with a gentle tug; often found in a more dapply light than too much harsh direct sunlight. Believe me, I’ve learnt plenty about the art of brambling these last few years!

I had time to sit a while just taking in the scenery, looking across the big dip to the old quarries and the sweet, slightly treed area to the left (definitely not enough to say wooded just a few dotted about), a photo just can’t do justice to it, at least not with my mobile. Oh, the colours, hues, the movements in the breeze; it struck me just how good my long sight is and how grateful I am to be able to enjoy all the detail.

But I thought I’d take a pic, anyway

Last week we had three beautiful warm days, that slid into the most gorgeous evenings and sunsets. Quite a number of folk headed up to the high areas in Holyrood Park to take in the last of the sun and dusk. Of course, there were plenty of new students in the mix, I wonder if they realise those evenings were nothing like the norm?

Arthur’s Seat – a top spot for a good sunset

Heading home well after 8 o’clock on the Tuesday, I made a slight detour to pass Whistlebinkies as they hadn’t put anything on social media about the midnight band – oh, a wise move, those Scat Rats were on, yay. I’d figured there should be a good chance it would be them, and how, they were buzzing! And tomorrow evening (ah, it’s after midnight, so, later on today…) the Scat Rats are back at Stramash. Oh yeah, that reminds me, last Thursday night I was expecting to see Babyface and the Beltin’ Boys at Stramash.

The sun is sunk, now comes the next colour palate

Erm, there was no Babyface (a bearded face instead), just the one regular Beltin’ Boy on lead guitar, a different double bass player, and a familiar face on drums – Gavin from Logan’s Close! I was thrown when I first walked in, as the tune was not one that would ever feature in the usual BFaTBB playlist; it felt a tad odd but by ‘eck, that chap could sing, Summertime and House of the Rising Sun were particularly fine. And what a joy to see Gavin, yay.

The top of Salisbury Crags always has a few folk at sunset

Oh cripes, it’s very late. I must away to get some beauty sleep. I may well edit this a bit in the morning when I’m more awake but it’ll do for now.

Sweet dreams!

Best laid plans of mice and moose

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After my last post a week ago, I fully intended to knuckle down and write every other day about my European wanderings, and make a serious start on this year’s Fringe programme. Unfortunately the gods had other ideas and laid the moose matriarch low, very low, so everything went out the window. It’s been a busy, taut time; thank god for the NHS, they’ve been brilliant. I’m in Edinburgh for just a couple of days to sort some things out, a wee chill out, then back down to Yorkshireland tomorrow.

I arrived yesterday at noon, so was able to trot along to the Farmers Market to stock up on some good quality frozen meats to take back down (for some good, quality, hearty frozen dishes for mother’s freezer). Co Co Co. were at the Market with another new chocolate, Strawberries & Cream, well, I had to, and a packet of Crème Brûlée (mother’s favourites).

Later in the afternoon the R&R really began when I popped in Whistlebinkies to catch Jed Potts and Nicole Smit doing their thing, just what the doctor ordered! Washed down with some Olicana, Stewart’s latest brew. I’ve since checked out their tasting notes, Stewart’s say mango, grapefruit and passionfruit; I say peapod. Honestly, the first sniff was like opening a bag of peapods, the taste did nothing to change that thought. Oh, I did like it in some weird way, but I couldn’t drink a lot of it.

There’s a film in cinemas at the moment with Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy, oh my heartses. The Bikeriders is one hell of a movie with a soundtrack to match (currently playing on my Spotify). The writer/director Jeff Nichols was inspired by a photo book by one Danny Lyon who took photographs and tape recordings of a chapter of outlaw motorcyclists between 1963 and 1967. Apparently the recordings Lyon made of Kathy, played by Comer in the film, are still around to listen to, gonna have to check them out. All three of the leads are mesmerising to watch, and another accent nailed by Comer! Hopefully I’ll get to see it again before it disappears from the big screen.

Time for my bed, still got a lot to do tomorrow before I hit the road south. Still no sign of a drought in Yorkshireland this summer….

G’night!