Uncategorized

On 60 North Radio and Mixcloud Listen to the show on Mixcloud here: https://www.mixcloud.com/tom-morton2/toms-beatcroft-anti-social-26-may/ The death of two people overshadowed this week – one was Professor Donald (“Donnie Foot”) Macleod, Free Church theologian, journalist and charismatic (small ‘c’) communicator in both English and Gaelic. The other was Tina Turner, hugely influential performer, writer and survivor…

A 24-hour raid on London from Glasgow by train I promised myself, when the pandemic hit, that if I survived, I would one day travel on the new Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Scotland. Preferably to somewhere like Crianlarich, Fort William or Bridge of Orchy, but if not, Glasgow would do. To seal that…

Songs by Bruce Cockburn, Nick Cave, one Patty and another Patti Proper show this week, with speaking and everything… the Mixcloud link is here. Still find it odd that I didn’t know Andi Oliver had been in Rip Rig and Panic. Oh well. I met her, or at least was presented with a prize by…

When God and guitars were all that mattered “Hallo, and welcome to a rather different audioletter, or Beatcroft Social, or self-indulgent trawl through my musical antecedents. I’m not going to introduce each track individually on air, so to speak (or not). The longish article below partly explains where this comes from and why I chose…

Some verses regarding fashionable canines This was provoked by the sheer number of so-called hypoallergenic dogs (mutt breeds that either don’t shed their hair, or have little or none of the stuff) currently having their organic vegetarian excrement scraped off the Troon promenade. Our rescue sheepdog/Staffie cross Dexter is nothing like as hairy as the…

A sonic missive from Troon I’ll be writing a wee essay about being in Troon this time (some odd memories resurface), but the one-hour show which went out on 60 North Radio this evening (Friday) was put together here, in the wee flat we have as our mainland bolthole. The weather has been, on the…

Want to know about the Free Kirk? Alex Macdonald’s brutal new thriller may open your theological eyes… Despite its many recent and continuing  travails, the Scottish National Party’s membership numbers have increased, apparently. Has the same been true for the Free Church of Scotland, its profile skyrocketing through the public visibility of member and (very…

As heard on 60 North Radio. The poem! the playlist! The sounds! The Dreichness Snow in April’s fine Above the tundra line Where Capercaillie dwell In an icy hell Pursued by hikers And mountain bikers The outdoor purists Very hardy tourists Seeking endorphin thrills Without the aid of pills Except for Ibuprofen Which they take…

Waiting for a better nation to arrive… Strange days indeed in Scotland, waiting as we do for Alasdair Gray’s better nation to arrive. I’m waking up early each morning, reaching for the phone and despairing at the latest revelation. Sure, there are the comedy camper vans, the titivating tents, the ill-advised First Minister one-liners, like…

Just music and music-related chat in this show. Playlist follows… The show goes out on 60 North Radio at 7.00pm on Fridays. You can stream it on Mixcloud here. Josienne Clarke — Anyone But Me Phil Cordell — Londonderry Lieutenant Pigeon — And the Fun Goes On Mungo Jerry — She Rowed Steely Dan —…