Sunday, April 01, 2018

Beatcroft Social rebooted! Full playlist and Tom checks out of hospital specially…


Well, I must say...that was an interesting experience. Easter Saturday: The rebooted Beatcroft Social is due to go out live for two hours on the launch of the renewed and rebooted Shetland Webcams website, and key to our six-week crowdfunding campaign ‘Redeye’ aimed at securing the future of the project.


A new binaural audio setup at Sumburgh Head; loads of work done by Andy and Iain to get the show
on the digital road; much preparation by yours truly, a great playlist (in my opinion) and…


I’m in hospital. Have been since Good Friday night. Complications (suspected) from my angioplasty
after Christmas. Will I get out in time? Have a heart!


Well, it was all looking good at 10.00am, but by 4.00pm, still in my jammies, still in Ward 3 of the
great Gilbert Bain Hospital, I was becoming concerned. I had been given the go ahead to present the
show, but there was a blood test and drugs to get...if the blood test was normal, all was, if you will, go.


It was. Prescription filled, not at the Chelsea Drugstore, and off I trundled to the studio. Not in my
jammies. Though I’m not sure that blinding orange fleece was much of an improvement.


And we had a great night. I hope you enjoyed it if you were watching and/or listening, and of course t
he entire show is streaming (audio only) on Mixcloud here



The weather was wonderful, and the cameras, from 7.00-9.00pm (Shetland Time) showed some truly
spectacular scenes, including a ‘supermoon’ rising over Bressay, a wonderful sunset and the
beginnings of the season’s bird activity at Sumburgh Head. Heard binaurally due to our new and
excellent audio tech.


It was brilliant to hear from folk throughout the world - Hawaii, California, all over the UK and Europe
and beyond - and the generosity of supporters worldwide in giving to our ‘Redeye’ crowdfunding
campaign has humbled us all. Thank you so much. Anyone who wants to contribute can do so
here. And remember there are all sorts of incentives - mugs, T-shirts, a special, private
midsummer online gig - as well as namechecks and belonging to our exclusive Redeye club.
If we have a club, which I’m sure we do...


We’re back live next Saturday, with our regular Shetland Sunday Teas round-up and more
features. I’m sure my health will hold up, but hey, the Gilbert Bain Hospital is only a couple of
minutes from the studio.  Meanwhile, here’s the playlist for Saturday night. Happy to try and
fulfil your requests, by the way, if they’re not too obscure. Thank you all so much
- and thanks to Shetland Broadband for sponsoring the show. See you soon.


The Jam: That’s Entertainment
Brinsley Schwarz: What’s So Funny (About Peace, Love and Understanding)
Paul McCartney: Wanderlust
Martin Stephenson and the Daintees: Wholly Humble Heart
Wilson Pickett: Let’s Get An Understanding
Rod Stewart: You Wear It Well
Chris Difford: 1975
Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers: The Best of Times
T Rex: Jeepster
Kim Richey: Wreck Your Wheels
Gretchen Peters: The Aviator’s Song
Manic Street Preachers: Dylan and Caitlin
Tom Russell and Eliza Gilkyson: The Sparrow of Swansea
Any Trouble: The Trouble With Love
Elvis Costello: Pump It Up
Flamin’ Groovies: Shake Some Action
Culture: Two Sevens Clash
Lee Dorsey, Betty Harris: Love Lots of Lovin’
Dropkick: Out of Tune
Rubinoos: I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
Shocking Blue: Send Me a Postcard
Incredible String Band: The Hedgehog Song
Son of the Chief: Seasons Change
Richard and Linda Thompson: I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight