Having not been to the Caves for two years was there twice in a weekend, first for the Big Red Door Fundraiser, second for Departure Lounge, with the Souljazz Orchestra, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and Bass Clef.
The Big Red Door was an interesting one .. the entire crowd looked like this. No exaggeration. Some cracking music though. The Banana Sessions were a super start to the night, especially their Prodigy medley. Then just about the most ridiculous band I’ve ever seen playing catchy reggae that didn’t make much sense. A singer wearing zebra-print tights, a Newcastle United t-shirt, a sailor’s hat and a superb beard. A bassist in trousers and cape. A guitarist in boxer shorts and a t-shirt three or four sizes too small. Another guitarist who looked like he’d wandered in after a few cans on the Meadows, playing an unmiced box with strings that surely nobody could hear. It was great fun and I’ve got no idea who they were. The Horndogs finished up, they play exactly what I wish I’d got myself into when I came to Edinburgh.
Was well up for Departure Lounge -- this video of the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble had me pretty excited
The Souljazz Orchestra were cracking, some really exciting afrobeat with tenor and alto saxophonists that looked just like the two men in the Jam lizards sketch and a wonderful baritone. Highly recommend them. The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble were a bit more PARTY and YEAH! and PARTY than the tunes I hoped they’d play, but I was more frustrated by all the people trying to shove past when there was nowhere to go. Rather ruined it.
Pretty mad that of the nine members of HBE, eight are brothers, they have four mothers between them and another fifteen brothers.
I’m writing this as Gordon Brown apologises for being rude and honest.
‘I’ve just been talking to Gillian, etc. etc. GHASTLY SMILE GHASTLY SMILE.’
I really hope we don’t have to put up with another four years of Brown’s fakery.