MUSIC LIST
sounds tacked on as an alterthought. Never mind. The test oi a great group is it their lailures are as gripping as their successes, and ‘Savage’ can’t be swept under the carpet. I Hue and Cry: Seduced and Abandoned (Circa). Have they or haven’t they? Split up, that is. The situation seems to change irom day to day. Probably they don’t know themselves, and the strain sounds like it’s leaked over into the music. “Strength to Strength’, ‘Labour oi Love’ and ‘I Beiuse’ still sound brilliant, and the iirst-named evokes (I swear) a 1950s' New York skyline at night, thanks in no small part to Jimmy Biondolillo’s orchestrations. ‘Goodbye to Me’ and “Human Touch’ both pass, but there’s still too much lacklustre tiller on this LP to make it the special event it should have been. I’ve been impressed by Pat Kane’s casually arrogant stage presence, but when they play ‘Labour oi Love’ twice in one set one can’t help but worry that they’re stretching their ideas too thinly. ‘Seduced and Abandoned’ suggests that this is indeed the case. I Swamp Trash: it Don't Make No Never Mind (DDT) l'm going to be a real spoilsport and whisper it at long last: Swamp Trash are about as American as our own dear l-lank Wangiord. Shee-ltl But i know they won’t mind me telling, because once this album has ploughed its way into the national consciousness they won't have to worry about this Scottish disdain ior what’s on their very doorsteps. Because: ‘Don’t Make No Never Mind’ is one ass-kickin' chunka hoedown, with enough collective energy to power a small state. (Which they did once, curiously enough, when the Allamagoosa generator just outside oi Promise City packed in, and the boys were called in to. . . aw, never mind). I Close Lobsters: Foxheads Stalk This Land (lire). You know how every rock group has a numberthat they stick at the end oi an album, or better still, a live set: a song with a riii that is repeated ad inlinltum, in which the lead guitarist abuses his instrument with increasing lrenzy until the song tails apart around him, taking care to lean his axe against the amp, where it ear-splittineg teeds back while the punters call tor an encore. Well, Close Lobsters have one oi those - but it’s not as exciting as it sounds. Their single ‘Never Seen Beiore’ was a wee pop gem, but one which the band now deem ‘over-produced’ and the LP seems to have been mixed accordingly. Much oi their live sparkle has been mutiled by unsympathetic handling; a shame, considering how good they can be live, where the urge to rock out buries the ‘twee' tag. ‘Foxheads . . .’ nevertheless hints at the intangible mystery oi Close Lobsters at their best. Keep under close scrutiny. I Glasgow: Zero Four One (Zero ill/dist. by Sonet). 041 -the code tor Glasgow, geddit? it’s annoying that that’s the only display oi the band’s alleged civic pride. As soon as the needle hits the groove we’re hearing a sound that could have emerged irom Glasgow, ltaly, Sweden, Japan or Tucson Arizona. The heavy metal ideal would seem to be bland unltonnity on an intemationai scale - a blandness every bit as vacuous as Dollar or nick
Astley, though it might be hard to convince Glasgow oi that. The List’s stance on heavy metal is generally regarded as less than enthusiastic, so who would notice it i said that this lorty minutes oi recycled rilis showed that Glasgow was a band wiped clean oi any trace oi originality? More to the point, though, who’d notice it Glasgow had never existed in the iirst place?
SINGLES
I The Pastels: Comin’ Through (Glass) Stephen Pastel can't sing iortoiiee-l mean, really bad - but the title track oi this 12in is the sort oi song you want to use ridiculous words like ‘sprightiy’ and ’channing’ about. i’ll try to resist the temptation. The coda is just the sort oi thing Mo Tucker would sing at the end oi each side oi the Veivets’ third album. The Pastels aren’t alrald, it would seem, oi admitting that particular iniluence. While striking many as intolerany precious, The Pastels have developed a distinct personality in a mire oi iaceiess wimps, and since ‘Truck Train Tractor’ have shown they’re not to be tied down to preconceived notions. Get the 12in and you’ll have a worthy lollow-up and companion to the ‘Up For A Bit’ LP. I Billy Jones: Badio Party (Beejayzus). ‘Edinburgh’s most popular solo entertainer’ hooks up with a real band in a re-recorded version oi the best track irom his ‘ou’est-ce Oue C’est?’ LP, an unpretentious nostalgia romp to a tins-style rock ’n’ roll backing. Everybody irom Goiiin and itlng to Hendrix gets a namecheck, but the production’s a bit thin lor the radio play tor which it’s eminently suited. I Bliss: Your Love Meant Everything (Survival). Edinburgh’s bus service meant that i missed Bliss when they supported Hue and Cry recently, and l'm quite sorry about that now l’ve heard the single. it’s the kind oi torchy jazz song that goes down very well at this time oi night. The song itseli stands up well, which is a nice surprise. Hope they don’t go the way oi Weekend, ie total obscurity, rather that they’d stick around to show Sade a thing or two. I MltIlLTBA: lmmobllise (Mute); it’s definitely too late at night to handle stuli like this. MltllLTltA is basically Frank Tovey, he oi Fad Gadget lame, playing around with his studio toys in a trendy bit oi sound collage. I like the horsey bits, i must admit. Perhaps it he’d made it completely irom equestrian noises he could have had a Christmas hit on his hands-you know, like those sampled dogs barking their way through ‘Jerusalem’ or ‘My Old Man's a Dustman’ or whatever it was - but what’s in a 12in single these days, £3.29? I wouldn’t part with that ior it. I The Boy Hairdressers: Golden Shower(53rd & 3rd). I think there’s more going on in Alva Street than we're being told: llrst ’Hory Hides Me Baw’, now ‘Goiden Shower.’ Never mind. it’s the Springsteenesgue guitar riti on this that really makes it, a suitably perverse iinish to a song that starts oii like the sort oi ditty you hear when you till the lid oil a musical box. The spirit oi The Velvet Underground lurks here as well, slugging it out with The Smiths as the Boys attempt a bit oi the old :ngzr-in-the-ear iolkslnging on the
-s e.
ART & EXHIBITIONS LIST
I Art is listed by city iirst then by venue, running in alphabetical order. Please send details to Alice Bain not later than to days beiore publication date.
GLASGOW
I ANNAN GALLERY 130 West Campbell Street. 221 5087/8. Mon—Fri 9am—5pm; Sat 9.30am—12.30pm.
Christmas Exhibition Until end Dec. A host ofinvited artists including Robert Eggington. lan Orchardson and Irvine Russell.
I ART GALLERY G MUSEUM, KELVINGROVE 357 3929. Mon—Sat 1()am-—5pm:Sun l—5pm. Restaurant. [D] Voluntary guides are available free ofcharge to conduct parties or individuals round the main galleries. Contact the enquiry desk.
The Floating World Until early .Ian.
Printing with Wood Until Jan 1988.
Some British Bird Artists and their Inspiration Until 28 Feb. A rare stuffed Great Auk takes pride ofplace in this exhibition of natural history meetsthe artist. Edward Lear. Joseph (‘rawhall and CF. Tunnicliffe are among the artists included. who took a special interest in birds and their illustration. Examples from the museum‘s bird collection are displayed alongside complementary bookplates.
Christmas Present Until 5 i an.
I BARCLAY LENNIE FINE ART 203 Bath Street. 226 5413. Mon—Fri l(lam—5pm;Sat 10am—1pm.
Mary Gallagher Until Sat 28 Nov. Paintings. pastels and drawings.
I BLYTRSWOOO GALLERY 161 West George Street. 226 5529. Mon—Fri 10am—5.30pm; Sat 10am—1pm.
Recent Acquisitions Until end Nov. Work by graduates of Glasgow School of Art.
I THE BURRELL COLLECTION I’ollokshaws Road. 649 7151. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. Rest. [D]
The glittering prizes of one man‘s wealth shown under one roof. The surrounding park offers a taste of the country.
Chinese Bronzes-Art and Ritual Mon 7 Dec—7 Feb. Anything which has survived nearly three thousand years instills a special awe and fascination. These bronzes from the British Museum are no exception. Vessels for wine and food offerings. weapons and chariot fittings from the Shang (c 1700 BC) and Zhou (c 1050 BC) dynasties. Examples from the Burrell Collection will complement the display.
I COLLINS GALLERY University of Strathclyde. 22 Richmond Street, 552 4400ext 2682/2416. Mon—Fri 10am—5pm; Sat 12—4pm.
Fay Godwin Until Wed 23 Dec. Collins continues with photography exhibitions with work shown at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.
I COMPASS GALLERY 178 West Regent Street. 221 6370. Mon—Sat loam—5.30pm. Christmas Show The Compass hold probably the best-known Christmas show in Glasgow. the first being held 20 years ago. Everything from affordable jewellery and ceramics to prints by artists like Frank
Auerbach and Ken Currie.
I CYRIL GERBER FINE ART 148 West Regent Street. 221 3095. Mon—Fri 9.30am-—5.30pm; Sat 9.30am~ 12.30pm. Winter Collection Until end Dee. Small paintings and drawings.
I FINE ART SOCIETY 134131ythswood Street. 332 4027. Mon— Fri 9.30am--5.30pm; Sat illam~ 1pm. Maureen Binnie Until 31 Dec. Paintings by this recent graduate of Glasgow School of Art. (‘olourful work. large gouaches. mainly Iandsape.
I GLASGOW ARTS CENTRE 12 Washington Street. 221 4526..\1on—1-'ri 10am—5pm;Sat Iii—5pm.
The Observation Tree Sat 28 Nov —end Dec. Paintings. painted tin and ceramic sculpture interpret the title. Work by Tommy Lydon (currently also showing at Third Eye ('entreflohn Main. Jane Taylor and Robbie Kelly.
GLASGOW PRINT STUOIO 25 King Street. 5520704. Mon-ASat 10am~-5.3(lpm.
Move The Print Studio workshops and gallery have closed down at Ingram Street and will be fully operational in the spring at 22 King Street. sharing premises with W.A.S. l’.S. .‘vleantime. the studio is based at 25 King Street.
I GLASGOW UNIVERSITY LIBRARY llillhead. Mon Fri 9. 15am» 9. 15pm; Sat 9. 15am—12. 15pm.
Trotsky Until Fri 18 Dec. Materier fromthe l.‘niyersiiy’sTrotsky collection.
I GLASGOW SOCIETY OF WOMEN ARTISTS NS. Macfarlane Ltd. 557 Sauchiehall Street. Mon—Fri 9am-5pm.
Annual Exhibition Until Fri 1 1 Dec.
I HAGGS CASTLE 100 St Andrews Drive. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun 2- 5pm. Glasgow‘s museum for children.
Making Faces: For Children Mon 30 Nov—22 Feb.
I HILLREAO LIBRARY 34813yres Road. 339 7223. Mon— Fri 9.30am— 1pm. 2—8pm; Sat 9.30am—1pm and 2-—5pm. (‘Iosed Wed. Visual Artists Register Glasgow An indeon slidesand artists' details to help you find work you like and presumably would like to see more ofor buy.
Meg Teller Until end Dec. Landscape oils. I RILLI‘IEAD UNDERGROUND GALLERY (‘resswell Street. Mon—Sat 10am—6pm. Christmas Show Until end Dec. Work by Lesley Banks and Hazel Jennings.
I RUGI‘ISON GALLERY 1 Clevedon Gardens, 334 2473. Tue—Sat Noon—4pm. 7—9pm. All exhibitions Tue I—Sat 12 Dec. Hoger Millar New works in metal.
PIIIIIo RBBYBS Paintings and prints. Dorothy DICK A small selection of sculpture.
I RUNTERIAN ART GALLERY University of Glasgow. llillhead Street. 3305431 . Mon—Fri 9.30am—5pm; Sat 9.30am— 1pm. The Mackintosh House Gallery: Open as above but closed for lunch 12.30—1.3(lpm. 50p admission on weekday afternoons and Saturdays. A reconstruction ofthe architect‘s home fitted with original furniture.
Mackintosh Graphics Until Dec. ()riginal designs and printed graphics for posters. invitations. menus. advertising labels etc. and representative examples by
J
The List 27 Nov — 10 Dec 1987 31