Wednesday 22 June 2005

At 3.30pm yesterday afternoon I was paddling on a beach in Orkney. At 8.15pm I was in the front row of Fred Frith's solo gig at the CCA. And a completely jaw-dropping musical experience it was too. I could write paragraphs here about how good he was, but instead I'll suggest that if you find out that the man is playing a solo concert on the same continent as you, sell your possessions, fly there and sit at the front. 45 minutes of some of the most highly concentrated musicianship I think I have ever heard.

The venue were expecting a concert of two halves: when he came out to sell CDs from the front of the stage, someone from the CCA asked him what time he'd be finished. 'Oh, anyone who heard that will tell you - I'm finished.' I don't think she got the joke.

later

DMcG (with shiny forehead - it was very hot) meets his guitar hero: four eyebrows and two orange shirts.