The glory that was Tutti Frutti ('how come they're speakin' funny? It's for weans...')

Having obtained the unobtainable, thanks to eBay, I have been completely gobsmacked on reacquainting myself with John Byrne's truly astonishing 1980s TV series Tutti Frutti. The fact that anyone who wants to see it (and hear the phenomenal, cracklingly funny dialogue) has to watch a fuzzy DVD copy of an off-air VHS is a disgrace, though I understand that the failure of producers at the time to obtain music clearance may mean it will never see the light of day again, officially at least.
It's by a long shot the best Scottish-made TV series ever, and for me just edges Spinal Tap as the funniest filmic depiction of on-the-road band life (that rehearsal with nappy-damped drums, the Farleys rusk/corkscrew/dummy teat interface...). Ensemble acting is great too: Coltrane is fantastic, Richard Wilson splendid but this is Emma Thompson's finest six hours and Ron Donachie comes close to stealing the whole thing. The recreations of 60s Ready Steady Go footage are exacting.It's inconceivable that something like this (shot on film, or at least until the money ran out in the later stages)could be produced today. It's, like, art, man. Though I recall producer Andy Park was incredibly patronising, not to say rude to me when I tried to interview him about it back in the day.
I was working for the Beeb at QM Drive when Tutti Frutti was being made, and I recall a memo being sent round the building demanding that "in future, no 35mm equipment is to be hired or film stock purchased for any purpose without express permission of senior management." It turned out the Tutti Frutti title sequence had been shot on 35 mil at truly extraordinary expense.
Still, it is a wonderful piece of work. How come people like John Byrne and Alasdair Gray get to be great writers AND painters? Plus one of them marries Tilda Swinton to boot. It's no' fair!

Cold sores, tea, whisky and more music

Cold sores are NOT healed by the regular application of cold tea bags to the affected area, by the way. Just thought I'd mention it. Whisky seems to work well (cask strength preferably) both internally and externally.
Meanwhile, we're all getting geared up for the gig next Friday at Eshaness Hall, the cosiest in Shetland, (go on, fly in for it; there's space to land several helicopters) with JOHNNIE AND THE NOTIONS, MALACHY TALLACK, THE PEERIE HILLSWICK LASSES and the experimental VINYL CHOICE, in which folk will be able to have their long-unheard LPs and 45s played for a small donation.
It's all in aid of the CATS ct scanner appeal, which you can find out more about HERE.

Where's Shetland?

I would truly and honestly like to apologise to the operator and supervisor at the Scottish Ambulance Service in Inverness, at whom I have just shouted angrily. But good grief, if sending emergency ambulances out to parts of Shetland is your job, some basic knowledge of the islands' geography might be a good idea. And if I can find a postcode by going to 192.com, surely, dear hearts, you can too.

View from the Radiocroft!

 

It's Wednesday, it's one of those high-pressure Shetland days (weird radio reception, banks of fog, searing blue skies). Cycled to the Radiocroft, where I'll be broadcasting with the window open...on this. 

Shetland Folk Festival flashbacks...

Phew, it's all over. Well, apart from tonight's trip sooth aboard the ferry for those visiting artistes who have survived with their sea legs intact.
I'm already in Aberdeen (where I worked out overnight that I've stayed in over 20 different hotels in the past five years)but the flashbacks from the festival just keep on coming. Particular highlights for me were, obviously, playing for the first time in 17 years (David, James and Andrew did wonderfully well as part of Johnnie and the Notions) at Tingwall; Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan's stunning and hilarious approach to the blues; Wrygrass's display of local instrumental brilliance and the truly amazing shoes of Elena James. Her music, and her band The Continental Two, was pretty wonderful too.
Inspiring stuff. Just to remind you that The Tom Morton Two have a CD which you can buy HERE. As well as in the following fine establishments: The Hillswick Shop, The Ollaberry Shop, Clive's, The Brae Garage, the Brae Stores and Tangwick Haa. At £7.99, it's a steal!