Monday, 2 January 2023

What The Cutler Saw

And so it begins. 

We kick off this year's musical meanderings in Glasgow, home of such luminaries as Charity Chic, Citizen Bravo and the late Ivor Cutler. Mr Cutler would have turned 100 in two weeks' time so you can consider this an early celebration of his centenary. 

It's not as early a celebration as the one co-ordinated by Citizen Bravo though. Way back in 2020 he released "Return To Y'Hup - The World Of Ivor Cutler", featuring the songs of Ivor and guest vocals from many well-known names on the Scottish indie scene - including Emma Pollock, who has recently been seen over at Charity Chic's place.

I saw Ivor live once about 40 years ago. At the time I thought he was a bit of a cantankerous old sod, although now I am roughly the age he was then I probably am too. I can't comment on the other two fellows. 

You can pick up the Citizen Bravo album from Bandcamp if you are so inclined. Here are a couple from that plus one from Ivor's own "Jammy Smears" album.

"Size Nine And A Half" - Citizen Bravo (featuring Emma Pollock)

"Pickle Your Knees" - Citizen Bravo (featuring Karine Polwart)

"A Wooden Tree" - Ivor Cutler

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8 comments:

  1. George2 January 2023 at 08:52

    Have you heard Ivor Cutler 's cover version of the Richard Thompspn song Wheely Down?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjnVHDp1xGA

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    1. Ernie Goggins2 January 2023 at 10:35

      I hadn't but it is rather splendid. Thanks for the tip-off

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  2. C2 January 2023 at 10:03

    What a good way to kick off the year. I wish Ivor had been one of my teachers. Did you catch the lovely tribute programme to him from KT Tunstall (on Sky Arts a couple of years ago, still available to stream, I think)? Heartwarming and fascinating.

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  3. Khayem3 January 2023 at 06:37

    I don't think I've heard anything by Ivor Cutler for the best part of twenty years, thanks for shining a light on him, Ernie. The Citizen Bravo tribute sounds interesting, I'm popping over to Bandcamp to check it out.

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  4. The Swede5 January 2023 at 20:06

    I found that performance of Beautiful Cosmos genuinely moving. Between Xmas and the new year, the Word in Your Ear podcast featured an interview with Ivor Cutler's biographer Bruce Lindsay. It's well worth half an hour of your time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1XV3ZzzJlM

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    1. Spence7 January 2023 at 01:24

      Thanks for that tip - I'll give it a listen

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  5. Spence7 January 2023 at 01:23

    I've loved Ivor since first hearing him on Peel in the 80s but he was around a good while before then. I introduced him to my young boys via the birthday and holiday mix cassettes I made for them in the 90s - they ridiculed me for it at the time, but they're warming and in time they'll come to love him too.

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