I went for the first time to see a friend, Jamie McKay, perform a solo acoustic gig at Bannerman’s Bar in Edinburgh. For a bit of back story on Jamie, he played drums in a band who were/are local heroes of mine called The Haze. The Haze were a cracking rock and roll band from Bathgate in the mid to late 90’s, who inspired many acts from the area to form bands, but sadly never made the big-time and split.
Influences of The Haze can be heard in locals bands like Dead Sea Souls and Carter (now defunct), and their legacy lives on through people like myself and guys like Sean Kerwin, who were huge fans of the band. Jamie has been writing and performing his own material for roughly 3 years across the Central Belt, as well as on a national tour with Carter and has some really brilliant songs.
The opener ‘Love Shines Through’ is a fine song, worthy of mainstream airplay, and instantly showed that Jamie was perhaps being held back in The Haze. Others such as ‘Sad Plastic’ and ‘Say Goodbye’ proved that Jamie is definitely one the best singer-songwriters around at the minute. Every song is perfectly constructed and the choruses hook you in from the opening chords, and Jamie also has a knack of making the audience feel the exact emotion each song is attempting to describe. He closed his set with a ballad entitled ‘Edge Of The World’, which could melt even the coldest of hearts, and puts many more famous contemporaries to shame.
I wanted to hear more. A lot more!
I genuinely believe that with the right promotion and exposure, Jamie could become a singer-songwriter that sells millions of records. I don’t make statements like that often. Jamie was unsuccessful in auditioning for The X-Factor for this current series, which is not a bad thing in my opinion. What sets Jamie apart from the majority of the wannabes on those ‘talent’ programmes, is that as well as being a gifted musician, he has the songs and the heart to back it up. Being a good singer is one thing, but being able to write exceptional songs as well is a lot harder, and Jamie excels at both.
I am never disappointed, and I know the new Oasis album is gonna be fantastic. 'Dig Out Your Soul' will be the 7th studio album by the UK's biggest and best band, and a tour to promote it will commence this autumn (although I failed to get tickets ).
I heard the first single from the album called 'The Shock Of The Lightning' last week on the radio, and today got to download 'Falling Down' for pre-ordering the album off iTunes. Both tracks are amazing, and although I'm gutted to be missing out on seeing them live this time round, I cannot wait for the album to be released.
There's more of a groove to these tracks, and the sound is bloody huge. I can't get over how massive the sound is!! I love Oasis most when they push their amps to 11, and so far the new album is living up to my tastes.
I have heard rumours that one of the best tracks is a ballad by Liam called 'I'm Outta Time'. I have grown increasingly loving towards Liam's songs, and I'm glad he now has the confidence to put his songs to the band. There's not just one genius in the Gallagher family
Since I love the band, I will not bow to the inivetable illegal download which will probably become available, and I will be there outside a record shop at 9am on 29th September for the single and then 6th October 2008 to buy a copy of the album.
I will always buy genuine copies of my favourite artists music, as I do not want to cheat my heroes that have given me so much happiness over the years.
I went to see a gig tonight at City Cafe in Edinburgh. The act I was there to see was Super Adventure Club, who were playing an acoustic gig, and the lowdown on SAC is that two of them used to play in a band called Stepdads, who all graduated from Jewel and Esk Valley College. SAC are all brilliant musicians, and the songs are a lot more accesible than the Stepdads material used to be. Bruce Wallace is scarily good on guitar and Mandy Clarke's bass playing and adorable vocals really endeared the band to the audience.
The night was organised by a group called The Banana Sessions, who opened and closed the show. The Banana Sessions are a fantastic band who I struggle to pigeon hole, as they sing songs about such things as tea, rabbits and frogs! The singer Roberta Pia has a smooth and husky voice which compliments the flute of Tom Pickles perfectly. Tom it turns is a virtuoso on the flute, and jams with all the other bands as well, and upon chatting to the guy, is a genuinely nice guy with a real passion for music.
The other band Big Hand were a ska band playing an acoustic set, which as they explained sounds nothing like the album they were promoting! The highlight for me was Phil Ramsay, who played both trumpet and melodica, and invited audience members to provide unusual mutes for the trumpet! This guy is a real character, and seems to be the heart and soul of the band, who really looks like he is having a great time, all of the time!
All in all, I have to say that I seen some of the best live music I've ever seen in Edinburgh for years, which suggested the unsigned scene in the capital may not be as dead as it once appeared. The Banana Sessions convene every second Wednesday for acoustic performances, and I for one will be back!
I have EP 'Get Yir Teapot Oot' to satisfy me till then.
