Not just a double gig week - but back to back on Tuesday and Wednesday. A week of firsts and lasts too.
Tuesday was a trip to Bath to see Edwyn Collins with old friends David, Ben and Colin. The four of us in the car had also travelled together to see Orange Juice in 1984 and we met another old chum in Michael. It seemed an appropriate way to see the man off as he takes on the last tour of his career.
Early reports had said his Glasgow show was 'bittersweet'. We didn't get that, we got uplifting. After all his health problems he could still tackle a 90-minute 22-song set and the voice was still there.
That set was split 50/50 between Orange Juice songs and his solo work. Falling and Laughing was a highlight but I've chosen The Campaign for Real Rock, the opening track of his 1994 album Gorgeous George. A dig at style over substance and the watering down of rock, particularly at festivals, it's a pretty good manifesto.
And on the subject of real rock, the next night it was a trip to Oxford to see Coach Party. The gig was an 'outstore' show (a first for me) to celebrate the release of new album Caramel at the Jericho Tavern. Also my first time at that cracking little venue.
The band played the album live and then did a signing. It was another superb, energetic show with my favourite from the new album (at the moment) being Disco Dream.
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