Jock Scot & Gareth Sager - Disc of the day

Jock Scot & Gareth Sager
The Caledonian Blues

(Invada, 2006)

True-born Scottish poet and former Pop Group guitarist let it happen. Drink possibly taken.

Over the years, Jock Scot’s been boozing pal-cum-valet to the likes of The Clash, Motörhead, Ian Dury and The Libertines, but don’t let that put you off or give you the wrong impression. Sounding loose and spontaneous, like it was recorded in a few purloined hours after Sager and Scot climbed through the studio window, here are ragged, steely guitar improvisations both harsh and melodic, over which raconteur Scot, whose rich, fruity tones make hilarity out of simple phrases like “gothic horror” or “go for a coffee”, speaks his truth on such essential matters as gawping at women out of his league, taking psychedelic drugs in Butlins and crushing heartbreak. An enthralling mixture of eloquence, natural comic timing and a tragi-comic worldview, it’s also, in parts, a heroically drunk affair - Jock’s particularly out of his mind on Hot Chocolate, croaking “everyone’s a winner baby” as he prepares to slide off his stool. As pub habitués know, some people reach their zenith of wit when there’s no audience – but with The Caledonian Blues, such malodorous magic is wondrously captured.

Ian Harrison

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 6:00 AM GMT 31/03/2008

Further Listening

Jock Scot & The Nectarine No.9 – My Personal Culloden (Postcard, 1997)

Peter Wyngarde – Peter Wyngarde (RCA Victor, 1970)

Jack Kerouac & Steve Allen – Poetry For The Beat Generation (Hanover, 1959)

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