= Tam Balfours Quality Blog =

Chinese Jocks - Shadowplay

2012-02-20T10:03:00.001Z

The Chinese Jocks perform 'Shadowplay' at the Meridian - Can't believe this was 3 and a half years ago!

Pentland Hills

2012-02-20T07:59:00.007Z

A few pics from a visit to The Pentland Hills last Wednesday with Dode_Balfour. I accidentally had the film speed set to 1600 and didn't realise until half-way through our expedition - so a few pics are a bit on the 'grainy' side.

Be Bop Deluxe - Electrical Language

2012-02-06T18:47:00.001Z

Early Morning Walkies With Pip

2012-02-03T09:29:00.000Z

Hermitage of Braid - Blackford Hill

2012-01-31T15:12:00.003Z

Went out for a wee walk yesterday and took a few snaps.

Pics from Henry's - 19/01/2012

2012-01-20T01:01:00.005Z

Big thanks to all who ventured out on not the best night of the week to see some live sounds. Only video footage taken was of Shock and Awe - Enjoy!

Desperation AM

2012-01-03T23:43:00.003Z

I know it's not the best night for going out to see a band but your attendance at Henry's would be very much appreciated by all. Half 7 kick-off -Hope to see you there.

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T13:32:00.001Z

Sunrise in Mozambique - Could be Anywhere.

Sad Society at Henry's Last Night

2011-12-30T15:50:00.006Z

See out the Year with Sad Society

2011-12-26T17:39:00.000Z

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T14:25:00.002Z

Hope you all have a Great Christmas.

The Stolen Child

2011-12-18T16:48:00.006Z

WHERE dips the rocky highland
Of Sleuth Wood in the lake,
There lies a leafy island
Where flapping herons wake
The drowsy water rats;
There we've hid our faery vats,
Full of berrys
And of reddest stolen cherries.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.

Where the wave of moonlight glosses
The dim gray sands with light,
Far off by furthest Rosses
We foot it all the night,
Weaving olden dances
Mingling hands and mingling glances
Till the moon has taken flight;
To and fro we leap
And chase the frothy bubbles,
While the world is full of troubles
And anxious in its sleep.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.

Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star,
We seek for slumbering trout
And whispering in their ears
Give them unquiet dreams;
Leaning softly out
From ferns that drop their tears
Over the young streams.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.

Away with us he's going,
The solemn-eyed:
He'll hear no more the lowing
Of the calves on the warm hillside
Or the kettle on the hob
Sing peace into his breast,
Or see the brown mice bob
Round and round the oatmeal chest.
For he comes, the human child,
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than he can understand.

World Citizen

2011-12-16T01:43:00.002Z

Kyle's Dilemma - Phobic Life

2011-12-12T22:55:00.002Z

The long awaited and much anticipated album From Kyle's Dilemma is finally out. Head over HERE to their page at Reverb Nation to check it out.

The Snow is Back

2011-12-10T16:23:00.002Z

Just a few pics taken after getting back from work this morning whilst taking Pip for a walk.

Nearly 50,000 Views!!!!

2011-12-02T13:37:00.003Z

I have to admit that I have been neglecting my humble blog these last few months - so much to do and so little time - But I can't believe that I am about to hit the 50 thou mark (since the counter was introduced) I would just like to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who takes the time to check out the site every now and then - I is digging it!!!

Some more pics from Henry's last Saturday

2011-11-25T21:35:00.006Z

Here's a few more pics of the action from Heny's Cellar Bar last Saturday - Very kind thanks to Malcolm McLean for letting me post his great photos here on my blog - Cheers Mal. Also a cheeky little video courtesy of Kenny - Nice one!

A few Pics from last Saturdays gig at Henry's

2011-11-23T10:30:00.005Z

Mostly pics of Shock and Awe but if anyone has photos of any of the other bands then I would love to see them.

The Damned - HMV Picture House Edinburgh 20 11 2011

2011-11-21T00:19:00.004Z

The Buddha of Suburbia

2011-11-18T14:17:00.001Z

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Tim Buckley - Down by the Borderline

2011-11-16T12:27:00.002Z

A man who's voice knew no bounds!

Isaac Brutal Returns.

2011-11-07T23:50:00.000Z

Foggy Afternoon

2011-11-07T23:20:00.002Z

New Unreal Tech Demo

2011-11-03T18:36:00.003Z

Check this shit out - Amazing graphics from the new Unreal Engine...Well, It's not that new but thought I should share.

Selfish Gene - Kyle's Dilemma

2011-10-21T15:29:00.004+01:00

Another blast from days gone by - Selfish Gene play Kyle's Dilemma at Chamber Studios circa 1998.

Cheap Night Out

2011-10-21T12:39:00.004+01:00

Here's a right old Blast from the Past - I remember this from Aiky's record collection (or maybe it was his Brothers?) I know nothing about this band apart from this single which came with a free fanzine. But it ain't too shabby!

The Pipster

2011-10-15T13:05:00.003+01:00

Neglected Bicycles

2011-10-15T11:39:00.005+01:00

I have noticed while walking the streets that there are a lot of lonely, neglected and sometimes brutally dismembered bicycles out there, waiting for owners who will probably never return. Here is but a small selection.

Reflected lights on the Union Canal at 6AM

2011-10-07T08:19:00.001+01:00

Some cool Sky pics from the last two days

2011-09-29T09:04:00.001+01:00

Desperation AM: Desperation a.m. resume

2011-09-26T22:05:00.000+01:00

Desperation AM: Desperation a.m. resume: This Thursday see's Desperation a.m. resume rehearsals at Banana Row Edinburgh after drummer Chaz's lay off through injury. Certainly lookin...

Dead Island

2011-09-10T20:36:00.002+01:00

Attention all Balfours: Dead Island has been released, so far me and Phaidaux have got it installed. Get it now and join in the mayhem :)

In Glasgow

2011-09-07T23:34:00.004+01:00

A few snaps from a shopping trip to Glasgow the other day.

Down at the duck pond

2011-08-22T15:53:00.004+01:00

Clouds

2011-08-19T10:43:00.008+01:00

A small selection of cloud pics from the archives.

Desperation A.M

2011-08-04T09:26:00.002+01:00

Here's a cheeky little clip of us in the practice room running through a couple of potential covers - Not too bad for first attempts imo :)

Testing GoPro Chest Harness

2011-08-04T08:05:00.007+01:00

This is just a little 'Spin round the block' test run using the GoPro Chest Harness - I also have a helmet-mount (stop tittering) but I like the point of view from the chest harness better - just need to change the angle slightly so that there is less of my knees in the frame......And I know that the Bell is a bit Gay (haven't got round to removing that yet) but it comes in handy when cycling along the narrow Canal Path when there is lots of folks blocking the way - Means you don't have to holler at people and can keep the speed up - Would love to get a Harpo Marx style horn instead though - If anyone has one or knows where to get one then let me know :)

Back to Main Page HERE

Out And About Today

2011-07-30T18:48:00.005+01:00

Had a wee jaunt down to Silverknowes / Crammond then up to Cammo and finally Corstorphine Hill.

Into the Pentlands

2011-07-04T06:41:00.004+01:00

Managed to venture a bit further today, up into The Pentland Hills and past Clubbiedean & Torduff reservoirs - It was very Hot!

The Tunnel of Doom

2011-06-28T17:09:00.003+01:00

Hope this nice weather keeps up - Managed a cheeky little jaunt up to Balerno via the Tunnel of Doom.

Coloursound today

2011-06-25T23:07:00.004+01:00

A few pics from Coloursound today - Recording drum tracks for John's latest project - Hopefully have some finished material to share sometime soon.

Ianfest 2011

2011-06-18T21:16:00.018+01:00

Pics from Ianfest 2011

Back to MAIN page.

Please come along to Ianfest

2011-06-09T23:54:00.000+01:00

Duck

2011-06-06T22:29:00.001+01:00

More Leaves

2011-04-30T09:24:00.004+01:00

Verden Studios Last Night

2011-04-20T15:41:00.001+01:00

King Blues at King Tuts

2011-04-04T16:49:00.002+01:00

A very small selection of pics from King Tut's last night - Sonic Boom Six and King Blues.

Wallace Memorial/Stirling

2011-04-03T02:38:00.002+01:00

Road Markings etc

2011-03-30T19:12:00.003+01:00

Gretsch Catalina 14x5 Snare

2011-03-23T15:00:00.004Z

Just ordered a new snare drum as I am getting slightly cheesed-off with the shitty Snare drums that adorn the kits in Coloursound, It's not that the snares are bad - They are just not looked after by fellow drummers who use them day in day out. And I'm not blaming Boab for not looking after them either - costly business. But the time has come.

The Damned

2011-03-18T19:56:00.001Z

The Damned are playing at the HMV Picturehouse on Sunday the 20th of November.

Legendary Jazz drummer Joe Morello dies at 82

2011-03-13T18:53:00.002Z

One of the most famous drummers in jazz music history has died.

Family members say Joe Morello died Saturday at his home in northern New Jersey. A cause of death was not immediately available.

Morello, who was 82, was best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. He was a member of the group for more than 12 years and was featured on such jazz classics as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk."

Morello also played with many leading jazz musicians over the years, including pianist Marian McPartland's Hickory House Trio in the early `50s.

After Brubeck disbanded the quartet in 1968, Morello turned to teaching and writing instructional books.

Comparative size of the Earth

2011-03-11T02:10:00.003Z

This is a pretty cool video showing you the size of the Earth compared to other known planets/stars in our Galaxy.

Pics from last night

2011-03-06T11:22:00.007Z

A very big thanx to all who ventured along to Henry's last night.

North Berwick - Bass Rock

2011-02-27T16:45:00.002Z

A few pics taken on a flying visit to North Berwick today.

Sad Society and Chinese Jocks

2011-02-14T20:07:00.003Z

The Sads and Jocks will be entertaing on Saturday the 5th of March - Henry's Cellar Bar. You know you want to!!

Isaac Brutal at Dylan Uncovered

2011-02-13T21:22:00.002Z

A few pics from last Thursday's gig at The Vooddoo Rooms - Thanks to Malcolm Mclean.

Bond composer John Barry dies aged 77

2011-02-01T15:56:00.003Z

Composer John Barry, famous for his work on Born Free, Out of Africa and the James Bond films, has died in New York of a heart attack aged 77.

Born John Barry Prendergast in 1933, the York-born musician first found fame as leader of the John Barry Seven.

His arrangement of Monty Norman's James Bond theme led to him composing scores for 11 films in the series, among them Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice.

His work saw him win five Oscars, while he received a Bafta fellowship in 2005.

His most recent film score featured in the 2001 war thriller Enigma, while a musical version of Brighton Rock, created with lyricist Don Black, had its London premiere in 2004.

Black, who worked with the composer on his Born Free, Thunderball and Diamonds are Forever theme songs, said Barry remained unaffected by his international success.

"The thing about John that I will always remember was he never changed," he said.

"He was very much the Yorkshireman, whether he was in Beverly Hills or Manhattan."

Sir Tim Rice - who worked with Barry on All Time High, the song heard over the title sequence of 1983 Bond movie Octopussy - also cited the composer's roots, remembering the "slight Yorkshire tinge to his voice which he never lost".

"Film seemed to bring out the very best in him," he said of a man who "was able to catch the mood of a scene or a whole film by the genius of orchestration with fairly conventional instruments".

Awarded an OBE in 1999 for his services to music, Barry was renowned for his lush strings, orchestral swells and elegant melodies.

His work found a new audience when Robbie Williams featured music from You Only Live Twice on his 1998 hit single Millennium.

Current Bond film composer David Arnold paid tribute to his predecessor via Twitter.

"I am profoundly saddened by the news but profoundly thankful for everything he did for music and for me personally," he said.

Barry's son-in-law, BBC business reporter Simon Jack, said he "truly loved writing music as much as people enjoyed listening to it".

"He saw himself as much a dramatist as a composer and his music was inextricably linked to the stories told on the screen."

Jack also remembered him as "a wickedly funny man" whose "passion, genius and sense of humour will be terribly missed by his family and friends".

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Born Free star Virginia McKenna said Barry was "a wonderful musician and composer".

Close friend Michael Crawford, meanwhile, said he had written "some of the most memorable and beautiful film scores we could ever wish to hear".

Barry's first Oscars came in 1967 for his Born Free score and its iconic title theme.

More Academy Awards followed for the soundtracks he wrote for The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa and Dances with Wolves.

Barry also won four Grammys, a Bafta for The Lion in Winter and a Golden Globe for Out of Africa.

His work for TV included the themes for Juke Box Jury and The Persuaders, while his non-soundtrack work included the albums Eternal Echoes and The Beyondness of Things.

In 2002 he was named an Honorary Freeman of the City of York, an honour he received at a venue in the city where he once used to play trumpet in the 1950s.

Barry, who lived in Oyster Bay, Long Island, is survived by Laurie, his wife of 33 years, his four children and five grandchildren.

His family said funeral arrangements would be private and that a memorial service would be held in the UK later this year.

Dylan Tribute Night

2011-01-18T01:42:00.002Z

Come along to the Voodoo Rooms on Thursday the 10th of Feb for a night of musical homage to Mr Chuckle Trousers himself...Bob Dylan. You will be entertained by The Isaac Brutal Band, Shock and Awe and many others.......You know you want to.

Blotisfoo

2011-01-10T19:22:00.004Z

I am pleased to announce the launch of our (me and Mabozza Aitken's) new website - Blotisfoo. You can find the link on the right-hand side of this page - just scroll down a bit. The aim of this site is to bring you the latest funny, weird, cool and interesting pics and information from the internet without you having to do the searching - we will do it for you! - so please pop by blotisfoo regularly to find out what is going on.

We will appreciate it

Chaz & Aiky

Happy 2011 to Everyone.

2010-12-31T09:58:00.002Z

I will sort out the 'new' music player so that it doesn't automatically play when you visit.

Some more snow pics from the last couple of weeks.

2010-12-26T10:56:00.001Z

Merry Christmas from Tam Balfour

2010-12-24T14:23:00.000Z

Captain Beefheart R.I.P

2010-12-18T18:53:00.004Z

Don Van Vliet 1941 - 2010

With a growling bass voice, that whooped and hollered in the manner of one of his earliest heroes, bluesman Howlin' Wolf, Captain Beefheart became a hugely influential figure in rock music.

Artists like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Franz Ferdinand, Oasis, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The White Stripes are among those who have cited him as an influence.

Later, under his real name Don Van Vliet, he became an acclaimed painter.

He was born in 1941 in suburban Glendale, California, where his father drove a baker's van. He was an only child, and his grandparents lived next door. His family indulged his artistic talents - he was sculpting from the age of four.

As a teenager, he discovered the blues along with childhood friend Frank Zappa, who was to remain a friend, and rival, throughout his life.

Together, in Lancaster, California, in the Mojave Desert, Zappa and Van Vliet came up with the name Captain Beefheart and the latter formed a blues band, His Magic Band, in the mid-1960s.

Trout Mask Replica

Though the band's title remained with Beefheart over two decades, the band's membership was to change frequently.

After establishing themselves with a small but devoted following, the band, augmented by a 20-year-old slide guitarist named Ry Cooder, made their first album, Safe as Milk, in 1967.

Although blues-inspired, the album reflected the era of psychedelia by its surrealist tendencies. It also hinted at the avante-garde that was to become Captain Beefheart's trademark.

Various record labels wanted to establish Captain Beefheart as an American alternative to the British blues bands of the 1960s or as a pop band to rival The Beatles.

But Van Vliet would not allow them to curb his artistic expression and there were frequent fallings out.

Many fans regard his masterpiece to be the 1969 album, Trout Mask Replica, a dadaist blend of blues, free-form jazz, rock and beat poetry.

Legal disputes

Sometimes manic, always unpredictable, the album was at first deemed as impenetrable. Yet, to its supporters, it showed itself to be a complex mix of metaphor and use of wordplay. "A verbal prankster" was how British DJ John Peel described Beefheart.

The album was produced by Frank Zappa who gave his friend full artistic rein.

"If it had been produced by any professional, famous producer," Zappa said later, "there could have been a number of suicides involved."

John Peel described Beefheart as being " driven in pursuit of his music to the borderline between imbalance and genius."

He suffered constantly from anxiety attacks. For Trout Mask Replica, he kept his musicians in a house for the eight months it took to write the double album, only allowing them out once a week to get groceries.

There was very little money with which to buy anything but the most basic of provisions. The conditions were described by one band member as "cult-like".When Zappa eventually got to record the album, it took less than five hours. The lyrics were nonsensical and surreal, and the band members were given nicknames like Mascara Snake, Zoot Horn Rollo and Rockette Morton.

The album dispensed with a regular rock beat, constantly changing its songs' time signatures. "I don't like hypnotics," said Beefheart, "I want things to change like the patterns and shadows that fall from the sun."

Artist

His next album, Lick My Decals Off, Baby was equally experimental in nature, but subsequent offerings such as The Spotlight Kid and Clear Spot were far more commercially viable.

Beefheart's often errant behaviour caused no end of problems with record companies and, in the 1970s, he became embroiled in various legal disputes which precluded his ability to tour. This deprived audiences of one of the finest live acts of the era.

He also proved too hard a taskmaster for many of the band members and there was constant to-ing and fro-ing.

His next two albums Unconditionally Guaranteed and Bluejeans and Moonbeams were derided by fans as being too commercial, but the later Bat Chain Puller and Ice Cream for Crow were acclaimed.

Throughout his music career, Captain Beefheart kept up a prolific output of sketches and paintings. He was eventually persuaded that if he was to be taken seriously as an artist and not regarded simply as a musician who paints, he should give up music.

He returned to his home near the Mojave Desert in southern California and became reclusive. He became more and more renowned as an abstract expressionist whose work, like his music, is regarded as original innovative. It fetches high prices.

Eventually, Captain Beefheart/Don Van Vliet was unable to paint after contracting multiple sclerosis.

His work, whether in music or drawing, was never mainstream and only ever gained a relatively small following, but he was a larger-than-life character who pushed the boundaries of his art in a way which influenced many who followed in his wake.

R.I.P Captain

African reunion/Xmas night out

2010-12-18T17:41:00.005Z

Good laugh last night and great to catch up with folks again. Hope everyone got home ok (ie didn't have to wait ages on a bus or taxi) Me and Nat got a taxi at Tollcross and it was worth the £6 to go just up the road.

'tis the season to be jolly

2010-12-07T20:47:00.003Z

So......here's some random stuff from the Interweb that amused me and hopefully you too.

Dumbass Fail

Sniper

Hulk Throws A Bear

Very Cold!

2010-11-29T19:33:00.003Z

Nice!!

2010-11-21T23:58:00.000Z

Sad Society and the Sex Pistols Experience.

2010-11-20T10:05:00.007Z

Some pics from Skye - Part 2

2010-11-20T09:48:00.011Z

Again, these are in no particular order.

Some pics from Skye - Part 1

2010-11-20T09:29:00.011Z

These are in no particular order.

Sad Society Last Night - Barclay Church

2010-11-07T14:54:00.005Z

Some pics from last night

2010-10-30T15:36:00.009+01:00

Video clips from Piss & Nostril Flashback added to bottom of this post.

Gig Reminder - Piss Tomorrow

2010-10-28T18:18:00.002+01:00

Bedlam

2010-10-28T16:28:00.003+01:00

Mark Fleming has just published the follow-up to last summer’s BrainBomb (a rollercoaster novel about sex, drugs rock n roll and psychiatric hospital).

His new book is Bedlam. This time it’s a short-story collection. All 13 tales feature his usual style – ferocious pace, comic and tragic characters, a bit of sex drugs and rock n roll (of course), lots of sex violence and profanity, as well as a smattering of war criminals, gang initiation, casuals, Goth parties, Death Row inmates and guys using rohypnol in an Edinburgh city centre club.

Read an excerpt as well as a review by legendary punk vocalist Honey Bane on Mark's Blog

You can order it from Amazon for £7.95.

Random Pics

2010-10-25T13:18:00.003+01:00

Kyle's Dilemma

2010-10-13T00:12:00.001+01:00

Coming soon.................................................

PISS Are Back!!!

2010-10-09T20:02:00.004+01:00

A couple of short video clips from our holiday in Africa

2010-09-26T08:20:00.003+01:00

Liquid adventures at Dino's Bar, Tofo Beach, Mozambique.

A Very short clip of the drive through the outskirts of Maputo, Mozambique.

Happy Birthday to Cab

2010-09-24T00:04:00.001+01:00

5 Years Old Today.

2010-09-16T19:03:00.002+01:00

Tam_Balfour's Quality Blog celebrates 5 years of random nonsense today.

The Axidents: A Retrospective

2010-09-12T23:56:00.014+01:00

A small selection of pics taken between 2005 and 2010.

Belated Birthday Bash

2010-08-31T00:44:00.004+01:00

Just a reminder for anyone who doesn't know - I will be going out for a belated Birthday night oot on Friday the 3rd of September. We will be going for curry and then heading along to The Firkin for about half 10ish - Hope to see you there.

The New York Dolls

2010-08-28T13:30:00.004+01:00

The New York Dolls live at The Liquid Room last night.

Who are the Mystery Girls?

The Summertime Browns

2010-08-19T00:39:00.005+01:00

Yup, there aint no cure.

Here is an impromptu jam of Bosanova Baby.

The Miniska Police - Omegaman

2010-08-18T20:26:00.004+01:00

This is very cool, especially as they do a cover of 'Omega Man', which even The Police never played live. I hope they come to Edinburgh :)

Jam with Shadey and Flash Yesterday

2010-08-18T08:38:00.002+01:00

Blast From The Past

2010-08-17T09:04:00.003+01:00

Damon Finlay, Dougie Lamb and myself making a right old racket at Niddry Street practise rooms circa 1985.

Africa - Part 20: Our last day/the journey home

2010-08-11T13:34:00.011+01:00

After 3 weeks of Sun, Sea, long drives, massive meat consumption, wild animals, Malaria tablets and legendary drinking sessions, we find ourselves on the last day of our hols. We have to be out of our pad by 11am which is no mean feat considering that Kay and Jen were up until 6am (Very funny night which involved smoking nearly all of Shade/Cabs African Oregano cigarettes) We head over to Jackie's Folks for a farewell buffet and to chill out for a few hours until we head for Johannesburg at 3pm. It's a 4 hour drive to the airport - We say goodbye to Cab, who is staying for another 10 days, and drop off our cars (they did us proud!) We have a few hours to kill at the airport so we head off to 'The Keg' for some food and a few beers - I would recommend the 'Fun Guy Basket'. Shade has his pic taken with Nelson Mandela. No pics taken on the plane journey to Amsterdam as it was mostly in darkness and I couldn't be arsed getting my camera out of my bag which was stowed away in the luggage compartment. We have another 4+ hours to kill in Amsterdam so we do what we know best: find a bar close to a smoking area. The flight back to Glasgow seems to go very quickly and before we know it we are in the terminal waiting for our baggage, which turns out to be back in Amsterdam - sheesh (we get it the next day) The drive back to Edinburgh is a real Scottish welcome home in the pissing rain.
Hope you enjoyed the pics - It was an absolutely amazing experience and we are all due Cab, Jax (and her Folks), Caroline and Romano a massive thankyou for making it a hell of a lot easier (but not all the time Cab!!! lol) I sifted through 3218 pics to try and put it all into some sort of cohesive chain of events and I think it nearly worked!

Chaz

The drive from our Gaff in White River to Jackie's Folks (for hard-core fans only LOL)