Back in 2008 as part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, Glasgow was named as a UNESCO City of Music in recognition of its musical history as well as the significant role the city plays in promoting music in modern times. With an average of 120 music events, covering an extensive range of genres, being staged in Glasgow every week, the city more than deserved the title.
As today is St Andrew's Day it seemed apt to pay tribute a couple of bands that,although not strictly speaking from Glasgow, have had a huge influence on the Glasgow music scene over the last 30 years or so.
There's not much that I can add that has not already been said before about Edwyn Collins. In light of everything that has happened to Edwyn over the last few years there can be few more inspirational and influential people in Scottish music. I never saw Orange Juice play live but did manage to see him early on in his solo career at Glasgow School Of Art and in recent years I have had the great honour of seeing him live on quite a few occasions including his triumphant gig in the breathtaking main auditorium at Oran Mor. After many thought that we would not see Edwyn play live again he has not only done so but also produced some of the best music of his career and has never sounded better live. We salute you Sir Edwyn.
Today Spools Paradise also pays tribute to a band who are unparalleled among their generation for both their unwavering adherence to and brilliant reinvention of the classic guitar pop of bands like Big Star and The Byrds. If there is a more perfect pop album than Grand Prix it would be hard to find. Blessed with the talents of three formidable singers and songwriters who all share an unerring knack for crafting immediately infectious melodies Teenage Fanclub have consistently released great music for the last 20 years or so. Gorgeous three-part harmonies and beautiful melodies performed and produced perfectly for 20 odd years is quite an achievement. Long live The Fannies.
Edwyn Collins - Don't Shilly Shally
Teenage Fanclub - Neil Jung
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