A very interesting CD just landed in my letterbox today. Old Nanoook, tireless supporter of the Flower Kings, has sent me ‘Guitar Safari‘ by Sir Clive & The Raging Cartographers. Closer inspection reveals, under the pith helmet, Pete Prown of Guitar Garden fame. Pete appears on ‘Gardens of Virahanka‘ as the voice of Achilles.
So what does a Guitar Safari sound like? Well, Sir Clive has done a lot of globetrotting. The opening track ‘Attack of the Mysterons’ seems to originate from British SF puppet shows of the ’60s, but ‘Quiet Blues’ and ‘Haybale’ are pure Americana. Then ‘Evil Surf’ is just that: surf rock with an evil twist.
Mr Prown brings his vast experience as a guitar player to this CD, exhibiting accomplished laid back jazz and intense shredding, European style rock and the blues; a tour de force of guitar styles. This one is definitely going in my car stereo for the summer as I safari across the lands of Aye.
A very happy 14th July to our Gallic friends. Scotland has a long history of friendship with France and, in the spirit of the 
Just went to a gig at the Venue, here in Dumfries, supporting my neighbour Andy Simpson and his band, the Fighting 69th. Andy is a great bassist and we enjoyed his music.