GadgetVicar

A Night With The Rat Pack

We had an amazing event at St Silas' last Saturday night - "An Evening With The Rat Pack". It revealed some of the hidden talent we have in the congregation including among our youngest members. The Cheung family were front and centre. Many thanks to all who made it happen.

It was a lovely evening. We had a bit of a problem with the venue initially, as it was meant to be in the church, but as the boiler is currently being replaced, we have no heating. At the last minute, we moved it into the new hall, and I thought it was just perfect for this kind of event. All's well....

I made the first half (went to see The Pierces at the ABC), and as a result, apparently missed some of the best performances. Here is a flavour of what was on offer:

Making The Most Of A Weekend Off

I've had a weekend off! That's something I've been really bad at doing, but then I "only work one day a week", so what have I got to complain about?

Only it wasn't really a weekend off, because yesterday I had the privilege of preaching at St Andrews University Chapel. I talked briefly about pursuing studies and research (referring to the Ig Nobel Awards) but then preached on Philippians 3:4b-14, focussing on our pursuit of Christ, who has pursued us. The new chaplain, Donald MacEwan, gave me a warm and friendly welcome as well as an excellent lunch. It was a joy to minister again in such a lovely place of worship, whose people continue to have such an orientation towards mission in the University.

I also managed to visit a few other places of historical interest: Castle Campbell (photograph on the right) in  Dollar Glen (it was once called "Castle Gloom", but it's a spectacular setting on any day), Loch Leven Castle (a boat trip and befriending a melanistic mutant pheasant were additional joys), Burleigh Castle (we got the keys on a second visit later in the afternoon which made it much more interesting),  Broughty Castle (a mixture of medieval, 19th, and 20th century architecture with some worthwhile art in the museum galleries), Arbroath Abbey (spectacular and peaceful) and Claypotts Castle (which we couldn't get into but we enjoyed nonetheless). I'm a member of Historic Scotland which makes the cost of visiting all these places such a bargain. I learn new things about our history with every visit.

I even endured the misery of watching England beat Scotland on Saturday, but the joy of the Irish victory before chapel on Sunday.

Added to all that was the joy of spending time with my oldest and dearest friends, whose counsel and hospitality I still benefit from after thirty years. It's a wonder that they've put up with me for so long.......

Returning to Glasgow last night, I enjoyed the lovely Nerina Pallot in concert at Oran Mor on Sunday night. She's got some good songs (she wrote Better Than Today, which Kylie Minogue covered) a great voice and has the most charming between-songs-banter I've ever heard.

A good weekend. I'd best get back to answering the emails that build up after three days away!

Clarence Clemons - "The Big Man"

The Secret Sisters

I'd seen The Secret Sisters on Jools' Hootenanny and been impressed. I didn't know they were playing in Glasgow until yesterday afternoon when I discovered that the band I was meant to be seeing last night had postponed their gig at King Tut's until September. Checking out what else was on, I discovered the Sisters were playing at Oran Mor, so, suckers that we are for old-time country, the McCarthy Brothers went to see the sisters from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

We were blown away. First up came the support, Simon Lynge. I'm sure he is the first Greenlandic (right term or should it be Greenlander?) singer/songwriter to play in Glasgow, or am I missing someone? He has a lovely voice, good melodies and I enjoyed his banter which, though it focussed on death, was never depressing - his story about not being able to bury bodies because of the lack of topsoil and what children do with the skulls they find was kind of cute.

The Secret Sisters were excellent. Sweet harmonies married to beautiful versions of others' songs, including Hank Williams' 'Your Cheating Heart', the Everly Brothers' 'Devoted To You', as well old gospel numbers and a few of their own songs made for a diverse and engaging set. Their in-between song conversation seemed natural and the few mistakes (forgetting to plug in the guitar they swapped between themselves and getting chords wrong) just added to their charm. The crowd was also very diverse with perhaps the oldest giggers I've ever encountered, 'teddy-boys' and teenagers all present. Most interesting to me was the rapturous reception the gospel numbers got. This maybe reflects our time's ability to detach any meaning from the media? Given the warm welcome they received, I would imagine they'll be back in Glasgow soon. I can't recommend them highly enough.

The Royal Wedding

The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Queen Margaret Union Tonight

I hope they play this new one!

 

"I'd Give My Liver To See You"

Elbow's new album "Build A Rocket Boys" is released today. It's another joyful and exuberant collection of songs that serves to remind me why I love music so much. They play in Glasgow on Tuesday 15th March. Do you think I might go? Here's a wee live excerpt of a song from the new recording: 'With Love'.

PJ Harvey - The Words That Maketh Murder

She has a new album out on Monday called Let England Shake:

Belle & Sebastian - I Want The World To Stop

The wonderful Belle & Sebastian play three nights at Barrowlands starting tonight. Can't make tonight, which is the only one with tickets still available (got myself a gig at our Carols by Candlelight service) and I'm not on the guest list(!) for the other nights. Serves me right for being slow off the mark.....

Moonlighting

I really don't have another job on Sunday nights: