MOKIJST
Transits
Bums on seats
Further to Sheena Robinson‘s letter in issue 167 of The List I was appalled to read in the press that there are plans afoot to put all the Local Authority-run theatres out to compulsory competitive tendering. While the artistic standards at Scotland‘s civic theatres may vary. the likes of the Brunton Theatre make sure that we get to see some halfdecent performances from time to time.
Attempts to apply the accountant's bizarre notions ofcost-benefit analysis to the arts should be resisted. There is no doubt that COT will have zero benefits for the civic theatres and negative benefits for theatregoers. We would get bums-on-seats shows playing strictly to the lowest common denominator. While that may be acceptable to the cultural Philistine who dreamt up the idea. it does not appeal to me. If] want Barnum, I will go to the Playhouse. If I want a bit ofsolid theatre let me wander up the road to the Brunton.
I suggest that it is an issue which should be raised in the pages ofyour magazine. and please, no more Nero impersonations from the Scottish Arts Council. Isn‘t it time they actually stood up and did something to oppose the savage attacks that are being mounted on the arts in Scotland?
Mary McLeod Stonybank Musselburgh.
Transfer List
I must put right an error which crept into the otherwise politically correct letter from Isabel Fletcher in The List 166. There is nothing illegal about market-rigging. It might be a bit on the dodgy side. but it sure ain’t going to get you busted. unlike other fun activities I could mention. What do you think the Net Price agreement for books was all about? Come to think ofit. there just ain‘t any such thing as a free market — and if you can find one then my name‘s Alex Miller.
Andy Wallace
Brunswick Road
Edinburgh.
All Lush-ed up after their gig at
Vinyl final
In reply to Ms 1. Fletcher. I accept that for a minority of people there is a joy ofwatching their favourite trendy LP spinning on a turntable and reminiscing about when those scratches where inflicted on it. BUT! The majority of the music buying public (consumer power) are willing to pay extra for CDs to avoid the snap crackle and pop of vinyl.
I think that the extra cost ofCDs is worth it due to their superior sound quality and robustness. Even though. I feel there is an element of rip offon the part of record companies. (Why does a CD that costs £12 in Scotland only cost £7 in Germany or the USA?)
My own motivation for changing to CDs was after my daughter wrecked two £30 record cartridges in a row. She and her brother have since been caught using CDs as frisbees with no detrimental effect on the sound quality.
W. Dyke Glasgow.
People power
Further to the recent article Dream Beans which highlighted some of the issues surrounding the iniquities and injustices ofworld trade using coffee as an example. I would like to add that. however far removed control of these issues seem to the individual it is in the end the consumer who influences markets. and the consumer who is the citizen who can address their government to take action regarding fairer world trade. The colonial inheritance of most of the developing countries has meant reliance on often a single. or few.
' ‘cash crops‘ exported as raw
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY
the Queen’s Hall? Just Luge-ed out after too much Olympic TV? Or plain Glass-ed away after Gormenghast? Well don’t sit there moaning into your pint, write a letter to The List.
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materials to the North. with the poorer countries facing increasing pressure with the collapse of real prices ofcommoditics since the beginning of the 80s. the pressures of the debt burden with the requirement for foreign exchange, and a world trade system which is anything but a ‘free market‘, with tariff controls and protectionist measures working to the advantage ofthe North.
Individuals. as consumers, can take action - not just in considering what you purchase and its production. but in calling on the Government through writing to your MP and asking them to take up these issues in parliament.
Roona Simpson Falkland Street Glasgow.
Esquilo Umm. [think that was what our comestibles expert was trying to say when she recommended Cafe Direct. We recommend thatyou get along to our Glasgow office where a bottle of Jose (.‘ueri'o Tequila is waiting for you.
NotFunny
Why did the Mexican agave fiend take his mother-in-Iaw to the top of a cliff? Because he wanted Tequila! Surely that earns me a bottle?
Simon McDonald
Argyle Street
Glasgow.
No way. pal.
Ringing wet
I have just read Alastair Mabbott’s review of the Rhythm Hill EP ‘Start As You Mean To Go On’. Laugh, I nearly did.
So Rhythm Hill sound like ‘baby wet‘s‘, oh I. and the Teenage Fanclub sound like Pavarotti. A little tip for you Al, listen to the record before you review it. You obviously saw the track ‘Never Learned To Hide‘ on the sleeve notes and thought it was the same track that appeared on the ‘Honey At The Core‘ compilation album. Well not so, yes the names the same, but it’s a totally reworked version.
Secondly, the EP is released on the Blooming Generation/Daisy Music label which is not the band’s own label, it’s mine.
Next time Al, get your homework done first. or even better go see one of Scotland’s best new bands live and find out what Rhythm Hill are all about Iain Strefford Daisy Music Coatbridge.
‘Hate to disabuse your “Comic Strip" image ofthe - hey - Rock Critic,
Iain, ' writes Alastair Mabbott, ‘but at no time in my life have I reviewed a record without listening to it first. In Rhythm Hill’s case, half a dozen times with a sincere wish to find something that would allow me to place hand on heart and recommend it to recession-hit record-buyers. I'm sorry for the confusion over record labels, but I stand by the rest. Thanks for spelling my name right though. ’
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LA UGII'I'Iz'R! Mel and Griff get head to head with Scotland. HORROR! Scorsese directs De Niro (left) in (.‘ape Fear. ()I’ISRA! l’avarotti's return visit to his chums in Glasgow. ill/56:4! Eric Clapton. David ltyrne and Barry White live.
ALL TIIIS PLUS: Nick Nolte stars in Prince of Tides . . . TAG teams up with David Henry Ilvvang for The Dance and the Railroad. . . (Sun rock out . . . Scottish Ballet adds (,‘oppelitt to the repertoire . . . and much. much more.
72 The List 14 - 27 February 1992
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