In The Studio…Allegedly.

In The Studio…Allegedly.

Bar the odd demo and straight to tape live recording, there was not much in the way of recorded BGB music around. I’m not sure how it came about, but in 1989 plans were laid for an actual vinyl record..with a cover and everything.

As far as material went, the bare bones were there. Many of the blues and other standards that were played live were radically different arrangements, so George decided to write some lyrics, re jig arrangements a bit and transform them into new originals.

Some examples..

Van Morrison’s “Streets of Arklow” became “The Storm”, “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” morphed into “Long Black Train”, “Crossroads” turned into “Roll The Dice” and “Hey Miss Linda” became less specific as “Hey I Gotta Tell You”.

I was not around for the first day of recording when the basic tracks were done at Shabby Road Studios in Kilmarnock. The journey down the following day was a lyric writing frenzy for Big G, and this continued in the studio. If only I had kept the cardboard curry lid with original hand written lyrics!

The frenzy continued into the mixing stage, compounded by George spotting some fellow musos wandering around Kilmarnock with little better to do. The window was opened and a cheerfully obscene invitation to join us was hurled. Thanks to Johnny Carr for reminding me that it has he and Kenny McKay that I couldn't remember paying a visit.

At that point, ngineer Clark Sorley requested that we all please adjourn to the pub so that we could get some peace and quiet. It got done somehow though.

There then followed a protracted process, George and Shifty went down to London to get the master cut. This was performed by the legendary “Porky”, who will be known to the vinyl junkies amongst you. He added his “A Porky Prime Cut” comment to the run out groove. This was apparently only done with albums he liked, so this was praise indeed from the man who did the biz for some major artists.

When the cover was discussed, a bootleg look was decided on. Well, it was much cheaper. Shifty knew someone who could get a thousand blank white 12” sleeves done, Greg pulled in a favour and got a load of front and stickers done and we persuaded someone or other to print up some inner sleeves.

Ian Robertson (God rest you sir) provided the venue for the packaging plant, here’s how it went. Drink…

Insert album in plain white sleeve..add printed inner as album did not quite fit..stick sticker on front..stick sticker on back..write catalogue number BGB 001 on by hand…stick the odd sticker upside down and a cheeky message to relieve the tedium

Drink….

Repeat a thousand times.

The first delivery was also made by hand. Me and George took a hundred copies (bloody heavy) to the legendary Lost in Music shop in nearby de Courcey’s Arcade. A startled customer, who was about to buy an Eric Clapton album, was advised that the Alleged Album was a much better buy.

The first run of a thousand was sold really quickly after being hand delivered to all the major stores in and around Glasgow, and at gigs. A second pressing followed, with a pre-printed cover…relief! CD releases followed via German and Canadian companies, but that first DIY operation was still my favourite.

I’m finding it hard to believe that this was all twenty one years ago.

Beyond Glesga Toon

Let’s head for some Eastern venues, and go back to the beginning for a bit.

The Burns Bar in Falkirk was the first gig I ever did with Big George and the Business. As I’ve mentioned this was during the time that George was working with Jimmy Dewar. It was also the first time I ran into the guys from Blues ‘n’ Trouble. They will feature again, you see if they don’t!

Memories are dim but I do remember the guy who ran the music nights there, a chap called Davy Waugh. A big music fan was he, though he would insist on running a not very rock ‘n’ roll raffle between sets. His nights eventually moved on from the Burns Bar to other venues in Falkirk, and we played most of them including the one in a Co-Op funeral parlour.

My abiding memory of these was to do with a bright floodlight that Greg the drummer used to use. At every gig, Davy would ask to borrow this so that he could use it to illuminate the whole stage. He also used to attach a coloured gel that would always melt, resulting in stage blindness and a request to “turn that fuckin’ thing aff!”. This happened every time….every time.

He did, however, have a great PA tape which introduced me to Ted Hawkins.

Carrying on along the M8 to its conclusion we arrive in Victoria Street in Edinburgh, about halfway down the hill on the left hand side.

The best thing about the Preservation Hall was that there were no stairs involved. It was a fair old trek with a four by twelve from the front door to the stage, but it was on the flat.

The worst thing as that it had a volume limiter connected to the stage power supply. This would cut the power if the volume rose above a certain level, above which George would inevitably rise even if playing acoustic. Quite often the PA company would plug everything into the wrong socket, quite accidentally of course.

Such a great venue, which has transformed into Irish theme pub when last I looked.

Calton Road is at the back end of Waverley Station and was home to a venue called…The Venue. It had been known as the Jailhouse and we had played there once.

It became quite a regular trip through and it was great place to play with a big in house PA run by a chap called Rob Maxtone-Graham and his missus Anne. They were a great team.

I did mention that Blues ‘n’ Trouble would show up again and they have. Tim and John jammed with the guys one night, and we were due to gig with them the next night in Kinghorn in Fife. After the gig, all the gear was loaded into the van apart from George’s guitar. Drink was then taken, so I decided to leave it right beside the door so that I would not forget it upon leaving.

This ruse failed and George called me the next day to say that it had been left behind, but that the B and T guys would bring it along to the gig that night. I was sheepish but relieved when Mr Bruce presented me with the guitar case.

My relief was short lived though. Upon opening the case, I found that it contained a completely different guitar. A Strat for sure, but NOT a white one. I remember actually thinking to myself, for a good few seconds. “He’ll not notice”.

I then heard some serious giggling from George and those pesky Blues ‘n’ Trouble pranksters.

I deserved it!

We shall move further afield next time folks.

Doon The Dunny and other places…

This is where it might get a bit fuzzy folks, as there was so much packed into so many spaces, large and small space in such a short period of time.

One such space was a basement bar called Platini’s, part of another bar called Furlongs in West Nile Street in Glasgow. It hadn’t been used regularly for a good while, apart from the odd function and at first glance it didn’t look like it would work as a venue. But we set up the gear and went for it and it began to build, to the point where a health and safety inspector would have just taken early retirement.

The get in and out was fairly horrific, due its basement nature and by God it was cramped but it was one helluvagig. I’ll have to just pick out some random memories, as there are so many.

Rolfy Harris..an epic jam song that featured the immortal line “Rolf Harris, Rolf Harris..disnae get embarrassed” and featured most of the bearded one’s hits. This was performed only a few times, until the punters began to shout for it…time to stop. It was also the venue where the guys first performed Peter Gabriel’s “Biko”. I had to write the lyrics down from memory.

George was once found..after the alarm was raised..having a kip under a table in the kitchen on the top floor of the building. “What time’s this to get a man out of his bed?” was the opening line of the set.

Jimmy Dewar came along night when Shifty was indisposed, bringing with him a 1957 Strat for George to play. He took me aside, saying “If there’s any bother in here tonight, make sure you get that guitar out of here. Never mind us, we’ll cope”

Let’s move a short distance in an Easterly direction…

When I was waiting for the chaps to turn up for the first gig at La Taniere in Fox Street, I again was thinking “This isn’t gonna work”. Another fairly tiny wee bar, with the band being placed right beside the door.

Hower, spatial problems were overcome and many great stories ensued:

An East Enders actor, who played a character called Tony, wandered in one night. I remember George and Stevie Gallagher promising to take him climbing the Yarrow shipyard cranes the next day. That’s tourist information for you.

A load of recording gear was once loaded into the basement and several gigs were recorded. Punky Mendoza of Heavy Pettin’ was on the desk, wonder what happened to those?

You did have to be careful of the pool table on the upper level of the place though. One miscue and a ball could end up in a pint glass below.

The place is gone completely now…apparently the land was owned by the Archdiocese of Glasgow who decided the space would be better used to house an extra City Centre car park.

More venues near and far to come.

Episode Four..Craigtoun Calling

That was the message on the back of the T-shirts for the ill fated (well financially anyway) Fife Aid Festival of 1988. The idea was to raise money and awareness of touchy feely green issues by gathering together a big load of energy wasting sound and light equipment and running it all for the best part of two days. Add in a load of cars, vans and gas guzzling trucks and there was no doubt that we could save the planet..maaaaan.

Big George and The Business were invited, via the Pictish Embassy, to perform on one of the secondary stages and we reached the park on the outside of St Andrew’s without undue hassle. Mother Nature, ungrateful biatch that she was, had other ideas though. Performances had been stopped on Stage B due to large concentration of water gathered in the tarpaulin directly above the above the monitor desk. It looked like it was going to burst any second, and a team of stagehands were trying to coax it off the front of the stage with long brushes.

Eventually the all clear was given, the gear was set up and George and co began the set. I had been instructed to go out front for a bit to check out the sound, and to prod the engineer if necessary. All was fine, so I stood for a bit marvelling at the antics of the mud sliding maniacs in the crowd. I was then asked by a fella in a suit ( A suit? In this weather?) who the guy playing guitar was. “That’s Big George” says I. “He’s bloody good eh?” replied the suit. “Sure is” I agreed.

I never thought any more about it….

After the well received performance, we all proceeded to enter the festival spirit and head for the Main Stage. Jack Bruce was great, Runrig were Runrig and (though no one knew this at the time) Marillion were doing their last show with Fish.

After a night in the van listening to more rain, we emerged to the news that the organisers wanted us to hang around, as they needed a stand by band for Day 2. There were rumours that John Martyn may not be showing up to do his slot between Rick Wakeman and Van Morrison. A good few hours of hanging about ensued. I wandered for a while and saw sets by Steve Hackett, Davy Spillane, and Phil Manzanera and his all star band. “That looks like Scott Gorham of Lizzy,” I thought at one point, and on moving closer to the stage it was!

Eventually band, crew and hangers on were ushered to the back stage area to set up in case we had to take the stage in a hurry. Alas it was not to be as a car rolled up, and John Martyn rolled out. We were consoled with a bottle if whisky and loitered in the stage side tent for a while. I spotted Mr Fish outside, and I asked him in for a drink. He politely declined as he was off to see John Martyn play.

After a while we decided to head out front to watch Van Morrison close the show, which he did in classic fashion with a pick up band that he had only met a few days before.

After the last notes, George and I found ourselves backstage and this is when it got weird. I was approached yet again by that same man in the suit. “Big George?” he said “I’d like to introduce…”

“You don’t need to introduce him!” said George “Awright Fish? How ya doin?” A brief meeting of kindred spirits ensued, until Fish remarked that the wife was giving him the “we’re leaving” look.

We left for home knackered but happy.

Epilogue

Just after the Fife Aid show, an article in The List reported that George had been asked to join Fish’s solo band. No one knew where this had come from.

We crossed paths again on a few occasions, BGB supported him on a warm up tour in 1992 and George played guitar on an unsuccessful World Cup song featuring Fish on vocals. This led to the guys playing at his 40^th birthday party, memories of which are dim but I’m sure there was an encounter with Tony Hadley at one point.

“I know you” says George “You’re a singer, right?”

Foghorn Tony replies, “That’s right”

“Hawd on, I’ve got it.” Says George “Deep Purple?!!”

The answer was unclear…

Part Three..bits and pieces

Some random short bursts and one liners from vans, shows, parties and the like.

After one if the first few gigs, while dropping off the legendary jazzer Tony McLellan, Jimmy Dewar asks me “What do you prefer to be called, is it Ricky, Richie, Richard or what?”

“I don’t really mind” I reply

“Anything but Dick eh?” says Jimmy

I still use that to this day.

***********

A friend of my father once asked George “What height are you”

“About six foot”

“Is that why they call you Big George”?

“Nope”

***********

While searching for a gig somewhere in the Highlands, Shifty enquired of a young local “Do you know where the Copacabana Barn is?”

“Are you Big George?” he replied

“Naw!!! Ahhm Big George!” replied the man in question.

It was an actual barn folks; the gear went in through the farmyard while avoiding all manner of animals. The PA was mounted on haystacks and it was so cold the guitars kept going out of tune; we had to ask the “management” to point the heaters at the “stage” to warm it up now and then.

After spending the night at the Aberdeen home Marlene Ross, late and much-missed Runrig manager, George performed with an all-star local line up at Caesar’s Palace. He had burst his trousers the night before I seem to remember…resulting in an interesting pop out incident.

BG and I were then billeted at a local bed and breakfast, to be awoken the next day by a crazy Welshman offering us a champagne breakfast. “I’ve only got the champagne, mind you,” he explained. This was not a problem.

We were then treated to a mid day strip joint (yes mid day, blazing sunshine and all) where George was initially denied entry on account of not having a shirt on. Having taken our seats in the sparsely attended venue, we were served with a pint and some stovies while an aged exotic dancer tried to drive folk wild. Classy joint…

(Please note that the above three incidents may not have taken place on the same day.or the same week..but they sure add up to a fun packed twenty fours any way you look at it)

******

To pass time during soundchecks, George would often be heard chanting “Biko! Bikoooo!” while bass drums were being done. “Get the juke box on!!” was also used as a pit down for lesser musicians.

*****

I never actually saw this one, but Shifty once told me of a “musical differences” incident between Big G and a drummer..don’t ask me which one.

It got to the stage where George was told to “stick his band up his arse” to which he replied “ Right! That’s it..OUTSIDE!”. The fact that the van was in motion at the time made no odds, and the two scrappers hit the ground with arms and legs flailing. The fact that they were both rather blootered, and wearing rather large and cumbersome greatcoats made sure that no serious damage was done.

There was a wee frisson the next day, but most of it was resolved.

We’ll finish with some true words imparted to me by George Ross Watt the celebrated philosopher.

“Richie, there’s folk that wear glasses..and there’s specky bastards”.

Til the next time troops…

Episode 2

Working with Big George and The Business really was a scaled down version of a major rock band on the road. It was all there, with moments that even Spinal Tap would not have experienced. The band went to eleven every night, whether on a big stage in Montreal or in a barn in the North of Scotland. Yes folks we gigged here, there and everywhere inbetween!

Let’s switch to memory shuffle function and see what comes up….

This one could have been 1992, as I remember Neil Young’s Harvest Moon had just come out. The German company who had released the CD version of The Alleged Album has gathered together a motley collection of the artists on the label (BGB were the only artists who were both still alive or gigging regularly)

to do a gig at the Manchester International 2.

It sounds good doesn’t it? Prepare for the reality..

We were advised to be there as early as possible for the soundcheck, so all converged at George Ross Watt HQ at stupid o’clock to await Shifty and the van. Gear loaded and bodies on seats front and back we headed South, with much banter and the usual soundtrack on the cassette machine.

Manchester itself was located without much of a problem, but the location of the International 2 itself proved to be more elusive. I remember passing Strangeways Prison on at least two occasions, once on the left and once on the right. The alleged map was again consulted, and a new route planned.

We seemed to be in the right area when we spotted an AA sign pointing us in the direction of “Psychedelic Rave-Manchester International 2”. George commented, “That’d better be an old fucking sign!” Having located the venue, we tried to get in. After some Glesga strength hammering on doors and windows, we managed to find someone. They called for the “promoter”, who was the UK arm of the Worldwide Records operation.

Chris was from Cheshire, and perhaps the slowest person (in terms of both movement and intellect) I have ever encountered. “The PA is not due until 4pm” he informed us, as we looked at the current time of 11am. “We thought you’d be late so got you to come down early, but don’t worry you can book into the hotel now.” He gave us directions for the hotel, but advised that we would have to assume the identities of a local firm of builders as the hotel “weren’t too keen on musicians”. The explanation given was that a running battle between The Orb and the Chippendales had once taken place in the hotel corridors. We doubted our ability to match this.

The hotel was indeed posh, a converted warehouse in Manchester City Centre, and we somehow managed to pass as an out take from Auf Wiedersehen Pet to get checked in. Deke and I shared a room, which seemed to be right in the very heart of the building. Wondering why there were still windows in such a location, we opened the curtains to reveal a fake New York skyline. No wonder a fight broke out. Relaxing was done for a short period….

After following the length of string, we again passed Strangeways and arrived back at the utter dive that was the International. Chris informed us, as if we couldn’t already see, that things were behind schedule. There was good news however, the beer had arrived and was in the dressing room. He actually meant the venue’s kitchen, but there was indeed beer. Beer of 3.5% ABV….

We did our best but it was not having anywhere near the desired effect, or indeed any effect. Imagine the joy that ensued when George located some that was 4.2%! The soundcheck was duly done at was then announced that the chaps would not be on stage until 10pm. Appearing above one half of obscure 70’s one tiny hit wonders Medicine Head and Pete Brown (lyricist for Cream) but below utterly unheard of 70’s prog band Body was indeed the icing on the cake! We retired again to the dressing room, having decided that an increased quantity of a decreased strength bevvy may be the way forward.

This kinda captures it…

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4120297&id=1981034659

The BGB performance itself was as per the usual high standard, though the gig was running later and later. So late if fact that the plug was pulled and the lights turned on during the “triumphant” headline performance by Body, who I was surprised to see on stage as I though most of there were fellow road crew types taking advantage of the low percentage rider!

We returned home with a sober song in our hearts.

Let’s begin at the beginning, well slightly before as the scene has to be set.

I had been introduced to Big George and The Business by my good friend Craig Daly, and had been along to every gig possible. The main venue was The Exchequer on Glasgow’s Dumbarton Road (Lord know what they have changed it into now) and many great nights were enjoyed.

One particular night the usual musical conversations turned to singers we loved, and I went into my usual appreciation of Jimmy Dewar. One of the company mentioned that he sometimes jammed with George, and it was then pointed out that he had just come in through the door. I had never seen Jimmy in the flesh before, and a more unassuming guy you would never set eyes upon. When he took to the mike though, it was something special to say the least.

Fast forward a few months……

I had finished Falkirk College earlier that year, and when Big G mentioned that he would be gigging at the town’s Burns Bar I said to him that I would most likely pop through for the gig. “Do you want a lift through in the van?” was the reply. Well I wasn’t going to turn down a lift was I?

I waited at the pick up point in the Exchequer the next week, and was duly picked up by Eric Thompson the then sound engineer, driver and one man road crew. It was then off to George Ross Watt mansions, well number 75 Plean Street, to pick up Big G. On the way to collect Jimmy, the question was asked that would change it all for the next nine years…”Do you want a job as a roadie? It’s a fiver a night”. Needless to say I took the plunge and was introduced to Jim Dewar junior, who showed me the ropes..well the cables and plugs to more accurate.

All went well and at the end of the night Jimmy was the man who paid me that first five pounds, asking “That’s what you were told you would get yeah?.

There was lots more to come, many great people to meet, vans to travel in to places near and far and memories that will last forever.

More to come folks....