update - april 23, 2002

as the band closes in on wrapping up the recording, the studio time is getting a little broken up - a day here and there. but everything should be done soon. below is an update from john douglas:

We are getting some sunshine these days…spring is kicking in…saw some stars the other day…Norman and Gerry from the Teenage Fanclub popped in at the studio…on our shopping trip we spotted Carol Smillie (TV personality, Rear of the Year 2001)…Glamorous Glasgow indeed…Other News…Frank won £40 on the Grand National….for a £2 bet..nice…we’re getting pretty good at the daily crosswords (Herald, Scotsman,Times)…favourite clue so far… Eh? (3,4,2,3,5)..answer to follow. We rehearsed with the string players in a Glasgow flat…4 floors up..sun streaming in the big bay window…music floating out…a magical day.

One week later….we got the string players in the studio yesterday..4 of them..all very enthusiastic..loved the songs… Greg, the arranger and 1st violin, buzzing like a little kid…totally into it. First song, Country Air…” a discreet arrangement for a discreet song ” Greg tells us with his Geordie lilt……A huge ,collective, internal sigh of relief from us as the idea of having strings on these songs turns from an expensive gamble to a joy…next song..Its a Miracle..the string arrangement takes this tune to a surprising, yet familiar place…a 70’s Birmingham Discotheque…perfect. Third song ..Usually…a big orchestral job is done on this one…it takes us into the early hours..sounded wonderful…and then they were gone..such a good day, yesterday…still feel elated today..apparently the planets were aligned last night…hmmm….more of the strange and wonderful world of the Trash Cans to follow…Stephen will be in touch…

Love

John