http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgRROPQQhog

Hi  friends,

Here is a  slideshow i made of the wonderful spinto tenor Gari Glaysher and my brother in law, actor and comedian Keith James King who compered the evening, performing at our Burns Benefit Concert at Oran Mor in Glasgow on the 28th July 09.

Singing a fun version of 'Funiculli Funiculla' for the first time together, they received
great applause and some lovely comments .

We hope the original recorded footage will soon be up to enjoy.



Love Rose



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB4t1N6HNxg

 
Michael, Janice, Our Mother Theresa,Teresa, Jose


On the 30th July my family and i, accompanied by the Spanish
Composer Jose Maria Porto Fayos on his first trip to London, attended our friend Gari Glaysher's 'Serenata' CD London Launch at The Beautiful Italian Cultural Institute in Belgravia, London.

It was a very enjoyable evening and nice to see so many people there in support of Gari, as well as his amazing family and relatives. After the wine and canapes reception we all slowly ascended the swirling staircase to an elegant white and gold drawing room where Gari sang songs from the album, accompanied on the piano by one of his music teachers and friend Robin Sevastos.

 A lovely touch by Gari,  was starting with 'Romanza' a particular favourite of Amy his website manager and art designer of the unique 'Serenata' CD Cover, wanting to dedicate the song and concert to her.

 Gari was also joined by his special friend the wonderful soprano Rebecca Watson and they sang beautiful renditions of Nella Fantasia and Con Te Partiro.


 



To end the evening there was a sumptuous buffet prepared by Gari's best friend and sponsor Enzo, who owns El Patio in Bromley where Gari had his earlier 'Serenata' CD launch on 26th June, which was also a very special night. Gari mingled with the guests and sold and signed lots of CDs which was nice to see. As always his manager and best friend Tony was there, recording events and supporting Gari with all his heart, as does his wife Jennie and son Glenn. It was especially lovely to have our friend Jose with us this time, to meet Gari again on such an important occasion for him.

My mother is still talking about Enzo's yummy pasta and aubergine dinners, looks like we may have to make a return visit to 'El Patio' soon and if we are very lucky, we may just bump into Gari giving one of his impromptu serenades there.


Love Rose

 Bill In Braveheart


Here is our great interview with the multi-talented  and big hearted Scot Bill Little of Scot Films UK kindly arranged by Alexandria. A special Thank You to our members who sent in questions, especially our Honorary Member Spinto Tenor Gari Glaysher and Actor Keith James King and scriptwriter Janet Thompson-Deaver




Posted By Alexandria

Here is the Q & A with the amazing Bill Little not only is he a fellow Scot and an awesome friend but his talents are endless and here it is, enjoy!!!


keith James King
Hi Bill
What part of Glasgow did you grow up in and has it had any influence on the type of films you want to make?

Bill
Hi Keith
I was born in the Southern General Hospital and until I was 11 years old, I was brought up in Kinning Park. Then my family moved to Cranhill which is in the East-End and I lived there till I was 17 and joined the Army, I left the Army when I was 30 and apart from 6 years living in Corby, Northants (England) and 3 months in London, I have continued to live in the East-End...Yes it was hard living in the east-end as you had to be street wise and learn to take care of yourself and as I was the oldest in a family of 5 brothers and 1 sister I thought I had to look after them, so I started out by learning boxing as I was not a good fighter and was bullied at school because I was good at school work. So I suppose you could say yes my upbringing is a big influence on the films I want to make.


Keith
Is the 'Little' Clan affiliated to any other Scottish Clan?

Bill
The Little's are what is classed as a "Headless Clan" as there is now no recognised Clan Chieftain, however we are cousins of the Wallace and Lamonts and I am married to a Henderson, so I supposed I am also part of their clan.

Keith
I read you have a motorcycle licence, do you perform you own
motorbike stunts on film and do you own your own motorbike and if so what model?

Bill
Yeah I do perform my own motorbike stunts on film, although not any more, it is me who is on the bike in the trailer and my wife will not allow me to own a bike anymore LOL

Teresa King
Hi Bill
Is this the first film you have directed or produced?


Bill
Hi Teresa
No, I wrote, Produced and Directed a film called "The Fighter" which I was ripped of with, but that is another story and I was young, stupid and didn't really know that side of the bussiness then, because of that and needing the money for my family, I stupidly sold all the rights to it.


Teresa
How challenging will it be for you to act, be the director and also be one of the producers of 'Revenge' The Movie?

Bill
Very Difficult, originally I was not going to act in it, but quite a lot of people persuaded me to do it, so as a compromise, I gave myself a smaller role and I get killed, that allows me the time to concentrate on Directing. I have brought in co-producers so they help out on that side of things and I have a very good and professional senior crew who help out with the Principal Photography.


Rose
Hi Bill
Can you please tell us a little about your self defence DVD for women, called 'Femails Fight Back'?
and with 'Revenge' The Movie being about a female who fights back against gangsters, this seems a
an important issue with you and something close to your heart?

Hi Rose
The "Females Fight Back" self-defence dvd is an Instructional dvd for females only and is not new, I did it 2 years ago, but I am not happy with it and as soon as I get the time, I will redo it. The techniques are okay, but the picture quality and sound are not quite right. Yeah it is something that I have an issue with, as I think Men who attack and sexually assault women, should be handcuffed and thrown into a cell with a bunch of women to do with what they like. Don't be fooled, women are much more agile and faster than men, however they panic and tend to be frightened when cornered by a stronger man, but they can use his strength against him if they know how. I think the law is very one-sided as most rape cases are not reported, because women are too embarressed to do that. But I have a daughter and 2 Grandaughters and I have made sure they can take care of themselves, put it this way, if any of them were assaulted, the safest place for the guy who did it would be in a cell, because I would use whatever means necessary to hunt him down and deal with him.

Rose
Many actors who portray tough guys on screen often say in interviews they are sometimes challenged by drunken men when they are out and about, to see how tough they really are. Although you are a world champion kickboxer and more, have you ever had anyone foolish enough to want to pick a fight with you?

Bill
When I was World Champion I had 2 challenges and dealt with them quickly and out of sight of the public. It is difficult to hold your temper and laugh when someone challenges you, but you have to learn to do it, cause a Judge will come down harder on you and you should have more disipline because of your training, I know what I can do and do not have to prove it to anyone. You will find that most actors who portray tough guys on screen, are not really that tough and their entourage will deal with any hassle, it is all just an image to them and it is not real, whereas I was a real fighter, but now I want to concentrate on making good films that people want to see

Rose
Do you prefer being in front of the camera or behind it and do you see yourself mostly directing/producing in the future?

Bill
I used to like being in front of the camera, but when doing stunts I am not supposed to be seen anyway. I liked it when I was acting, but get a bit embarrased when people recognise you. I now prefer to be behind the camera and I intend to Direct / Produce a lot more in the future

Rose
You have a very impressive martial arts/stunt/army record and are obviously very brave, do you have a fear of anything?

Bill
Yeah my Wife LOL........Being serious, I fear for my Grandaughters and hope they grow-up healthy and with no hassle. Also I hate wee creepy crawlies

Rose
Have you ever been in a stunt that went wrong?

Bill
Yes I did a stunt in Taggart on a Motorbike that went badly and I ended up with a broken ankle, burst every blood vessel in my calf and snapped the ligaments in my calf. I was on crutches for 5 months and had to learn to walk again.

Rose
How did Scot Films UK come about and what is your wish
for the company?

Bill
I formed Scot Films uk as I was fed up risking my life for other people and some of the films I saw being made were pretty crap. I had been told a few times that I was a pretty good writer, so I went to night school to study more and as I had worked behind the camera before as 2nd Unit Director and Stunt Coordinator I had that experiance to help me. I then decided to write and produce my own good scripts that I would hope people would go to see on the screens, subjects that I would pay money to go and see. In the future I would love to see Scot Films UK become one of the biggest Production Companies in Britain, but producing all genre of films and accepting unsolicated scripts from newcomers to give them a chance, although you cannot please everyone, I would hope to try

Rose
You used to run a casting and modelling agency and now you have to choose actors/crew etc for your own films, how hard is it to tell someone (sometimes friends) that you cannot use them, or they didn't pass the audition?

Bill
I didn't know that you knew I ran a casting and Modelling Agency, you have done your homework...Sometimes it is very hard!! I could have used my Daughter to play the lead in Revenge as she is a succesful actress and top martial-artist but I didn't want people saying she only got the job because I am her father. I sacked Kim Sonderholm from Revenge and he had been a friend and member of the cast for 3 years, but I look at it as being good for the film. A Producer sometimes has to make difficult decisions so I pretend I don't know the person and tell them I am sorry but maybe next time, I would sack myself from my acting role if I thought it would benifit the film as I have a one track mind when it comes to the film, I have to thank my Army Training for making me like that

Rose
Of all the films you have starred in or worked on, is there one that you are especially proud of or brings back the fondest memories?

Bill
That is an easy answer, it has to be Braveheart, I learnt a lot about directing by watching and asking Mel Gibson questions and he is a big practical joker so I have a lot of good memories from it


Gari Glaysher

Hi Bill,
Did you get into the stunt work through martial arts And having fought in the kick boxing and other martial arts for real, was hard to adapt when you did fight scenes in the film world?
All the very best with the film.


Hi Gari
I had to retire from fighting as I got a detached retina in my eye, too many kicks to the head LOL.....I then had a phone call to teach a couple of actors a wee fight routine for a police series and as the money was good and I was down in the dumps because I could not fight anymore I said yes. I met a stuntman on set who said I could get into stunts because I already had some of the qualifications, my first reaction was no way, I wasn't stupid enough to jump off buildings and set myself on fire, but he said he would teach me what I needed to know. It was hard at first, learning NOT to hit anyone, but the discipline you learn from Martial- Arts soon helped me to adjust. It must have been harder for you, changing to singing, at least I was still going through the motions

Alexandria and friends

Hi Bill,
Have you worked/met another fellow actor who has left such an impression on your life and if so who and how have they made this impression on you

Hi Alexandria
As I said above....Mel Gibson by teaching me so much about Directing and how to handle yourself in front of the Media, plus I also like Sean Connery because no matter what he does or what role he plays, he does it in a scottish accent, unlike so many scottish actors who deny their heritage once they make it big.

Alexandria
What is it about martial arts that appeals to you and do you have a special Martial Arts hero?

Bill
I have 2 Martial-arts Hero's one is of course Bruce Lee and the other is Chuck Norris and to me Martial-arts is a way of life, not just learning how to fight, you can go beyond that to train your mind and disipline yourself, it can make you a better person and that is what appeals to me the most

Alexandria
As a Filmmaker and a Scot, do you find that working in Scotland presents challenges that do not appear in other locations

Bill
Ah that is the $50M question, the more succesful you are in Scotland, the more people want to pull you down and the less help you get. There are too many government run offices doing the exact same jobs and run by people who haven't a clue about film-making. They have these jobs because they have a degree or wear the same school tie, but they don't live in the real world. I would like to see one office set up and run by film-makers with the authority to do whatever it takes to help our film makers, encourage them and make good decisions about a film, depending on the quality of the story, not on how much money it will make for them. Michael Caton-Jones was asked in an interview if he would ever go back to Scotland to make a film and he said NO because nobody in Glasgow makes films anymore, I intend to change that opinion


Is there a fellow actor dead/alive that you are dying to work with?

Bill
I would like to work with Matt Damon and Kate Beckinsale


Do you have any plans in regards to all the Homecoming Scotland Events that will be taking part in Scotland all through 2009?

Bill
I would love to get involved, but I am hoping to be shooting 2 films, if all goes well. If I was asked to do something and I was available, then I would make every effort to do whatever it was

Alexandria
I hear you are working on a Knights Templar Script, what made you decide to lend a hand to this project? Do you have an interest in this mysterious Order? Is research material hard to come by for this fascinating subject?

Bill
I was actually writing a new script of my own called "Gangsters Inc" when I was asked by my Canadian friend Gina Lockhart to co-write the script. However I was not too sure at the time cause I have written one of my own called "The Border Reivers" and I thought they might have clashed. However when Gina sent me the research and synopsis she had done, I saw that she had really done her homework and I liked that. It is a fascinating subject and the thing that intriqued me was the link with scottish history as I am very into my Ancestors and what they did. You have to dig deep to find out anything about the Knights Templar as they are even to this day, very secrective, but you can find out enough by going through the history books as they pop up now and again. The script is mainly about Robert the Bruce but intermingled with stories about the Knights Templar and how they helped to make scottish history.

Alexandria
Is there a specific part in filmmaking that you dread or do you love all of it?

Bill
I dread the part of trying to raise the finance, it is the worst trying to get people to part with their money and believe in what your trying to do. I hate having to order people around, but sometimes in needs to be done to achieve your goals and like everyone else I hate getting out of my bed at 5am and maybe not getting back into it till 11pm LOL



What is your fave all time film and why and how times have you seen it?

Bill
I have a few favourite films: Braveheart because it raises Scotland's profile, Enter the Dragon because it made Bruce Lee and Martial-Arts popular, The Bruce because it was the first film I was hired on as Stunt Coordinator, there are a few more that I cannot really think of at the moment



How many year have you be driving a motorcycle? Is is dangerous doing stunts on a motorcycle? have you ever been seriously hurt on one?

Bill
I have been riding a motorbike for 17 years, it is only as dangerous as you make it. Although every precaution and safety aspect is aherred to when doing any stunt, it doesn't matter how careful you are, sometimes things go wrong that is out of your hands. Yes I have been seriously hurt and gave that answer in one of the questions above.


Alexandria
Are you anxious to go full speed ahead on Revenge and what do you think will be the release date if you can say

Bill
Myself and the cast and crew are really anxious to get started, it is very frustrating when you know that everything is in place and ready to go, but because of this credit crunch the Investors have either pulled out or are stalling and the start date gets put back. We are hoping for a release date around xmas 2009, but that depends when we get a start date


Janet
Hi Bill
Who was your inpiration to become an actor & a stuntman?
Bill
 Hi Janet
I actually spent 2 years at acting school and was getting a bit peeved with it as every time you went to auditions their was 100's and it was difficult to get a job, so I was doing some fight arranging on a T.V. Show and met a stuntman who took me through a 3 year training period to qualify and during that time I got to do more acting as part of my stunt job, so I never went back to acting school as I learnt more on the sets. I don't think I really had anyone as an inspiration as the only thing on my mind was a better standard of life for my family and to give them better than I got
Thank you all for your questions, i enjoyed answering them.
Bill
 
End


Thanks Again Bill and take care.

I just know Revenge will be a smash hit and Bill we are all behind you 150%

Hugs
Lady Alexandria and Rose
 

 
To finish here is a nice video interview with Bill from the past with Anglia TV, where he also talks about teaching self defence to women, as mentioned in the above interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k60UgtD2ZQE

We are pleased to post our recent interview with the romantic Spanish Composer and pianist Jose Maria Porto Fayos. In this interview we are also joined by our Honorary Members, Gari Glaysher, Kevin Walsh and Derek Macpherson.
 
               
 


A Little About Jose:

Born in Valencia (Spain), at the age of five years Jose emigrated to Argentina with his parents. Living in Rio Cuarto (Cordoba, Argentina) he carried out his studies and his musical formation. Being very young Jose started his activities as a professional musician as well as in groups as soloist. Referring to his facet as a composer since his return to Spain his repertory has always been strongly influenced by rhythms of such rich and varied cultures adding to it the experience obtained in different countries of Europe and the USA which contributes that his musical works cover international melodies as well as native themes of the countries mentioned before. At present He goes on composing and arranging music for himself and for other artists.


Interview:



Rose
Hi Jose
Thank you for graciously giving us this interview.
How would you best describe your musical style and what are some of your favourite sounds?

Hi Rose
It's my pleasure.
I think that my musical Style is very simple.Ilove to write pieces which can be played for young and adult musicians. My favourite sounds are strings and the piano.

Peigi
Hi jose,
Did you grow up in a household of music? When do you remember first being captivated by it all?

Hi Peigi
My father was a poet and my mother a dancer. My mother was the one who was happy when i wanted to take up the piano.

Alexandria
Hi Jose
At what age did you become interested in wanting to compose music and
as a child what kind of music did you enjoy?

Hi Alexandria
As soon as I was able to read and write music, I became
interested in composing (11 years old). As a child I enjoyed The Beatles, Tom Jones and any band which had something to be admired.

Peigi
What is your favourite music to listen to if you are relaxing? For inspiration?

Jose
Instrumental music played either by big orchestras or talented pianists.

Rose
Apart from being a wonderful composer and pianist you also sing, do you have any other hidden talents?

Jose
I am not very good at painting,but I do it from time to time.

Derek
Hi Jose
What musical influences did you absorb from your upbringing in
Argentina?

Hi Derek
I was influenced by The Tango,The Milonga, and many other Argentinian Folk Music

Rose
Do you have a favourite piano piece, classical or modern?

Jose
I enjoy any piano piece if I listen to something really sensitive.

Beth
Hi Jose
What place has inspired you the most?

Hi Beth
I think that a composer can be inspired by many places or things. A beautiful sunset, an old couple holding hands in a park,etc.

Rose
Is there a special place or country where you would love to perform?

Jose
I have never been to England and that is why I would like to perform there.

Kevin
Hi Jose
Is there any particular subject or feeling that inspires your music?

Hi Kevin
I can be inspired by many things.A rainny day, a beautiful landscape, but many times I wake up hearing a melody in my mind and then I sit at the piano to hear how it sounds.

Rose
I love Flamenco and the exciting, passionate rythms of the Tango, Rumba, Samba etc, have you written much of this type of music or songs?

Jose
Yes I have written all kind of rythms,but only a few of them appear in my CD's

Alexandria
Are other members of your family Composers or Musicians?

Jose
No, But my father was a poet and my mother a dancer.

Rose
You wrote a Beautiful song dedicated to your father called 'Guardian de Estrellas' he must have been very special to you.

Jose
My father was a good man, and also a good friend.Ilearnt many things from him. He taught me to respect old people and always to try to learn something from them.

Beth
Of the old classical composers who do you admire and why?

Jose
I admire J.S.Bach when I listen to his romantic pieces.

Rose
Which modern day composers do you admire?

Jose
I admire Ennio Morricone,John Barry,Jerry Goldsmith,John Williams,etc

Peigi
What musician has had the greatest influence on your own music and/or your life?

Jose
Mr Ennio Morricone because he was one of the soundtrack composers who created a wonderful style.

Kevin
Is there an instrument you can't play but would like to?

Jose
Yes, The Trumpet because many people think that it is only a matter of
blowing. But I think one must be born to play it.

Rose
I know it's difficult Jose, but do you have a favourite piece from all of your work?

Jose
No, It is like having many children.They can be different but you love
all of them.

Gari
Hi Jose
I have listened to a lot of your music and i know you have many
inspirations from the classical and jazz world. Are you an opera fan and if so, who is your favourite composer/s and artists?

Hi Gari
Yes I am an opera fan.My favourite composer is Verdi and my favourite artists are Luciano Pavarotti,Gary Glaysher and Kathleen Procter-Moore.

Rose
I understand you have written a song for Gari called 'Valencia', the place where you were born, can you tell us a little about it and have you
written songs or music for your friends before?

Jose
The Lyrics speak about a singer who has fallen in love with Valencia, and sings to her like if she were a woman. Painters,writers etc did the same.

Nicholas
Hi Jose
Is there one musical composer living or dead that has really inspired
you and continues to inspire you and why?

Hi Nicholas
Yes Ennio Morricone and John Barry inspire me because they
created a new style,and made many films famous more because of the soundtracks than for the films themself.

Rose
Have you composed any music for commercials/TV before and as you are an admirer of composers of filmtracks, would you like to write the score for a film and what type of film would appeal to you?

Jose
Yes i have, but international commercial firms have the last word and they usually choose music which has been a hit, at least for a few weeks. Any kind of film would appeal to me. The film director usually helps
you a lot by giving you an idea about what he would like to have in every part of the score.

Rose
You were recently in the Top 10 Australian Indie Easy Listening Charts,
does it still surprise you to know your music is being listened to all over the world?

Jose
I felt honoured to know that people enjoy my music so far away.

Beth
If you could visit another country that you haven't been to, what one
would that be?

Jose
England, because it is a wonderful country with lovely friends.

Rose
Do you like Scottish/Celtic music and could you see yourself composing something along these lines?

Jose
Yes i like Scottish/Celtic music. A composer must be ready to write any kind of music, of course after
listening for hours to the music of the country which the music is dedicated to.

Alexandria
Do you believe that a musical piece or performance should tell a story
and should truly leave an impression of the audience or listener?

Jose
Yes, I do. An instrumental song may be beautiful, but the Lyrics can
leave a wonderful message.

Rose
Have you had work personally commissioned before and do you still take
commissions?

Jose
Yes I have. I love composing and I am happy when I have to take new
commissions.

Kevin
Do you ever feel challenged to write music that's outside your "comfort
area" For example. I tend to write music that has a "Celtic" influence
but sometimes try to write things that are completely different as a mental
challenge and to stretch myself a little?

Jose
You are right. I have always liked to learn as much as I can. Every
country has its own traditional music and many times it is also a challenge for me to write something similar to their music.

Rose
You have written lots of wonderful songs and pieces of music, do you
ever run out of inspiration? and do you go through long periods where
you just cannot seem to be able to sit down to write something new, not
even wanting to play your old music and if so, does this worry you?

Jose
There are many famous bands and composers who spend more than a year
without writing anything new.But other famous composers do not have the time to have a break.

Finally Jose
Do you have any new compositions on the way for us to enjoy? and what do you wish for your future?

Jose
I am trying to compose a nice tango for a wonderful friend. I think that
a composer's future depends on his audience.

END

A big thank you once again to Jose, Gari, Kevin, Derek, Nicholas, Alexandria, Peigi and Beth for taking part and giving us a great interview.

Love Rose


More Links To Jose And His Music:

http://www.myspace.com/joseporto
http://www.soundclick.com/josemariaporto
http://www.musicforte.com/member/Jose_Maria_Porto

 
              

We are pleased to post this special RT Robert Burns interview with the distinguished Dr. Gerard Carruthers from The Centre For Robert Burns Studies, Glasgow University.
 




A short biography on Dr. Gerard.

Gerard Carruthers was lecturer in the Department of English Studies, University of Strathclyde (1995- 2000), where he taught American, English and Scottish literatures. He served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Glasgow-Strathclyde School of Scottish Studies, and as a member of the UCAS (Scotland) English Panel. Previously he was Research Fellow at the Centre for Walter Scott Studies, University of Aberdeen (1993-5).

Gerard Carruthers is a graduate of the universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde and of St Andrew's College of Education, Glasgow. His PhD thesis was on 'The Invention of Scottish Literature During the Long Eighteenth Century'.

He is currently supervising postgraduate dissertations on Ulster Scots Poetry of the Eighteenth & Nineteenth Centuries, Eighteenth-Century Literary Rhetoric, and Robert Burns; he has supervised successful PhD theses on Robert Fergusson and Seamus Heaney and successful MPhil theses on Robert Burns, 'Bunkermen & Lasses o' Pairts: Contemporary Scottish Fiction' and on 'Utopian and Dystopian Landscapes in Twentieth-Century Scottish Literature'.

He was an external examiner on the BA in Cultural Studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute. During the summer of 2002 he was W. Ormiston Roy Memorial Research Fellow at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA.

He is a member of the steering committee of the Distributed Burns Collection, of the Abbotsford Library Research Project committee and of the organising group for the Royal Society of Edinburgh Robert Burns Celebrations 2009. He is co-organiser of the Burns International conference held annually at the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. He is a frequent contributor to the media.
.........................................................................................................................

                                              
We wish to begin by thanking Dr. Gerard for taking time out of his busy schedule and kindly giving us this special interview, it is most appreciated.



Davina
Dr. Gerard, At what age was your interest in Burns sparked and what was it about Burns that caused this?


Dr Gerard
I was taken to Burns's cottage as a five year old boy by my parents, and something about this experience stuck with me, a kind of atmosphere re Burns's life and work though I'm hard put now to define with any precision what it was that a small boy related to. My serious involvement with Burns though came in the late 1980s when I undertook a PhD on Scottish Literature of the long eighteenth century with a chapter in the dissertation on Burns. Working on this, I realized that here we have not only a great poet, but one of the world's greatest songwriters too.


Peigi
Dr. Gerard, Has Burns been over-analyzed in Academia? Would he himself approve of how his works have been dissected? Or would he still believe that a ''spark o' Nature's fire," is learning enough?


Dr Gerard
I suppose I'm a typical academic, I believe that you can't have too much analysis. I wary about speaking for Burns, but I suspect he'd be proud that he has both great 'popular' and 'academic' appeal over two centuries later. Also, I think the idea of the 'spark o' Nature's fire' was something he believed in – up to a point. Natural ability/genius is an important thing. However, Burns was well-read and well-educated, and to a standard at least as high as the typical university student of his age. I've just edited The Edinburgh Companion to Robert Burns (out in summer 2009), and there are two very interesting essays in there by my American colleagues, Dr Corey Andrews on Burns as a critic, and Dr Steve McKenna on Burns's reading of Virgil. What Corey and Steve both show is that Burns takes literary criticism, indeed he practices this, very thoughtfully and seriously.


Alexandria
Dr. Gerard,Was there a single event or poem that made you want to learn more about Robert Burns?


Dr. Gerard
I used to perform in a band that played, variously, folk and rock music around the pubs. I was already doing Burns as part of my PhD as I've said, but I had to learn 'Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation' for performance in 1988. And this song just blew me away and cemented my fascination with Burns. Also, I grew up in Clydebank in the west of Scotland and my father was part of a very active trade union movement. We were a Catholic family and so my father wouldn't join the Communist party. He was a staunch Labour Party man, though he had a number of friends who were Communists, and through the years I increasingly came into contact with a whole swathe of Communists and Socialists who venerated Burns. I grew up, then, aware of the great humanitarian significance of Burns who stood for that 'can do from a humble background' and 'a man's a man for a' that' attitudes.


Rose
Dr. Gerard, How do you feel about a recent quote from Jeremy Paxman, calling Burns' poems ''sentimental doggerel"?


Dr. Gerard
Actually, Jeremy Paxman remains one of my favorite television news and current affairs interviewers. I think, however, he is entering into grumpy middle age. I have no problem with him finding Burns to be not his cup of tea, but he shouldn't spout nonsense about 'doggerel'. Burns is a poet of unquestionable technical panache whose rhythms and rhymes are usually highly accomplished. I found myself in the position of 'opponent in chief' to Paxman when he made his comments, and I was quoted extensively in the British and international media. Some people were agitating for Jeremy to have a discussion with me on Burns on the Newsnight programme, but he (or his producer seemed not to be keen). Another thing he should not have been doing was venting his spleen with these comments in the introduction to Chambers Biographical Dictionary. And an irony is that Robert Chambers, one of the founders of this publication was a very distinguished Burns scholar!


Davina
Would you like to have lived in the years of the Enlightenment and rubbed shoulders with Burns, Scott and Dr. Blacklock to name just three?


Dr. Gerard
In a word: no. I'm too fond of our 21st century home comforts such as central heating and a shower whenever I want one! I would love to travel back in time for a day however, to see Burns and, a bit before this David Hume. I'm also a huge Scott fan. There is, as I call it, a 'bampot' version of Scottish cultural history which sees Burns as poet of the people and Scott as snobbish patrician. They were very different kinds of people, but they did have some similarities in that both are great pioneers and broadcasters of Scottish popular culture and Scottish history. Burns and Scott together, great imaginers that they are, together largely invent modern Scotland, as I'm fond of telling my students.


Nicholas
Dr Gerard, Do you have a favourite Robert Burns poem and why is it your favourite?


Dr. Gerard
My favourite Burns poem without a doubt is 'A Poet's Welcome to his Love Begotten Daughter' about the illegitimate child he fathered to Betsy Paton. It is both tender and defiant, saying I don't care what people say about the circumstances of her birth, I love my child and that's all that counts. It is, if I may use the phrase, 'pro-life' in a very beautiful way. We can't always defend Burns's behavior where women are concerned (though some bardolators attempt a whitewash), but here we have Burns at his best defending both his lover and their child.


Rose
If you could have written just one poem/song or work of Robert Burns, which one would you have wanted it be?


Dr. Gerard
It's would have to be 'Tam o' Shanter' for its sheer psychological brilliance (laughing at the stupidity of the male psyche, I'd argue) as well as for its comedy. Also, my goodness, that man can brilliantly sustain narrative sense and entertainment across over 100 couplets. Jeremy Paxman read and wonder!


Alexandria
How did you come to be involved in the event The Robert Burns Conspiracies and become one of the panel experts?

Dr. Gerard
Burns has attracted frauds, forgers and fanatics, sometimes pushing dubious lines in good faith at other points trying to con people because they have a particular political or cultural agenda. You find suggestions that the British government effectively murdered him (which the historical facts do not support as an idea). If it doesn't seem too much like advertising my wares, might I point you towards a book I've produced with my co-editor Johnny Rodger which will be out in January 2009 from Sandstone Press. Among other things, this book, Fickle Man: Robert Burns in the 21st Century deals with some of the conspiracies and strange legends surrounding Burns. I've used the 'Burns conspiracies' idea in high schools as something that really hooks kids.


Nicholas
What is your theory on whether Robert Burns sent guns to the French revolutionaries, do you personally believe it?


Dr. Gerard
I think it unlikely that the poet sent guns to the French revolutionaries (when he'd have got more canons for his money just by sending them cash – they did have such guns in France!). I'm on the Abbotsford Library Research Committee, and apparently there were documents there pertaining to the story of Burns and the guns. Some of these are now apparently missing and I'm currently trying to investigate the situation. My own hunch is that Walter Scott was suspicious of the story (which first appeared in the biography of the poet by Scott's son-in-law, John Gibson Lockhart). Jennie Orr, one of my graduate students and I have written a bit about this in Fickle Man mentioned above, but in future I want to carry out a fuller study of Scott's investigation of the affair. What you have to remember is that Lockhart was more or less looking for stories that proved Burns was a bit impulsive, less than a complete gentleman! The guns to France story, I think was one such episode, a rather right-wing inspired legend (Lockhart was a Tory) which elements of the left among Burns's fans later adopt as part of the poet's radical credentials but history and common sense suggest the story to be unlikely.


Janet
Dr. Gerard, "In your mind," how do you see Robert Burns Ayrshire muse, "Coila" fit into this"?


Dr. Gerard
In one sense, Coila is not to be taken all that seriously. Her appearance in 'The Vision' is part of Burns's comical self-mockery. On the other hand, she is a device to allow him to set out his stall as a bard of Ayrshire, a regional bard. At bottom, she helps him say, 'poetry can happen in eighteenth-century Ayrshire.' But I don't think she even qualifies as serious imaginary friend.


Davina
In your opinion will modern poets like Robert Garrioch, Edwin Morgan, Sydney Goodsir Smith and MacDiamid still be read in 250 years time?

Dr. Gerard
Difficult to say. Eddie Morgan, I think, is the best of the poets you mention. Smith and Garioch are good but, frankly, minor in the grand scheme of things. MacDiarmid writes lots of rubbish, though I think that his early lyrics such as 'The Bonnie Broukit Bairn' are beautiful. He is also the most important Scottish cultural activist of the 20th century. I've edited Scottish Poems for Everyman and Alfred A. Knopf which will be published in the US in January 2009. I've tried to represent what I think are the most important poetic currents in Scotland through history. Morgan and MacDiarmid are included but not Smith and Garioch. Morgan is a great love poet and a great observer of human life, along with Iain Crichton Smith the closest thing to Burns Scotland has produced in the 20th century. I think these two, and maybe Sorley MacLean of all Scotland's twentieth century poets will be read in 250 years.

Peigi
When Scotland becomes independent do you think any of Burns' songs will be used for the official national anthem?

Dr. Gerard
I think Scotland may well become independent, especially if the Conservatives were to form the next British government. Popular opinion would possibly be more behind 'Flower of Scotland' or even 'Scotland the Brave' as a Scottish national anthem, and I think it is quite likely that a new anthem would be composed possibly by someone like James Macmillan. My own vote for a Burns national anthem would be 'Bruce's Address at Bannockburn'

Davina
Considering that more and more Burns Suppers are now dual gender affairs, do you think that they have a valid place in bringing a better understanding of Burns to a wider audience?


Dr. Gerard
There are still all male Burns suppers, an idea that makes me uncomfortable. Happily, however, there are fewer and fewer of these. I think Burns suppers are about social enjoyment and that's fine. With a good speaker and performer or two, yes, indeed: people will learn about Burns in an unforced way. Already there are many so-called 'amateurs' and enthusiasts as well as professional academics who know huge amounts about Burns and who have a great interest. No other poet, I think, can rival Burns in this regard and I'm immensely grateful that this interest is out there and is so big and wide.


Davina
There has to be more to an Immortal Memory than just going over Burns life. Who have you heard who has delivered the best Immortal Memory and what aspect did it take?


Dr. Gerard
Gosh, that is difficult. I've heard a number but two pals, Ken Simpson and Willie McIlvanney (one of Scotland's greatest fiction writers) stand out. Ken is great at describing the sheer human sympathy and wryness to be found in Burns's work. Willie is wonderful at imagining and describing the compromises Burns had to make as a man to earn a living. What both dwell on is the sheer power of Burns's imagination. Recently, I've been very interested to read Lord Roseberry's late nineteenth century 'addresses' on Burns at various public occasions these are well worth a look. Clark McGinn is a tremendously witty Burns speaker (precisely because he has a deep understanding of the life and work). I'd recommend Clark's Ultimate Burns Supper book to anyone who does not know it.


Alexandria
Why do you think that the name Robert Burns is always surrounded by controversial issues and it is sometimes forgotten how most of his poems are masterpieces?


Dr. Gerard
Again, there are many things one could say, and I think this is a big issue where we need more scholarly investigation. Burns's life was not without controversy (especially sexually) and for reasons which have never been entirely explained the poet has become a cipher for all kinds of people of all shades of ideological belief who think he speaks for them. Part of the answer is that Burns does speak in voices, not because he is insincere, but because he has huge sympathy with different kinds of people, different kinds of mentality. He is also a romantic figure and so attracts glory-hunting charlatans as well as the sincerely deluded! To say nothing of the majority of people with an interest who simply find his life fascinating and his work great. I think there is growing appreciation of the greatness of Burns's poetry. He is increasingly taught in universities throughout the world. I've recently been appointed General Editor of the multi-volume Oxford University Press edition of the Works of Robert Burns and I and my colleagues in a very large time are all mindful that over the next ten to fifteen years that we want to produce an edition that says more than anything, 'Burns is a great writer, a great artist.'


Rose
Do you think it is about time a truly wonderful film was made on the life of Robert Burns to celebrate the 250th Anniversary and have you an opinion as to who might make a great Robert Burns?


Dr. Gerard
Yes, that would be good and I suppose I daren't not mention Gerard Butler! He would make a good Burns, I believe. The one American actor, in my admittedly limited knowledge, who I think could carry it off would be Johnny Depp. There seems to be a curse though where Burns film are concerned. I had a long chat with Vadim Jean the director who had Gerard Butler lined up to play Burns. But this was seven years ago and I've no idea why nothing seems to be in any advanced state of production. I fear 2009 will pass and no film will appear – a missed opportunity.


Davina
Election fever is in the air in the USA. For which current U.K. political party do you think Burns had an affinity?


Dr. Gerard
In the British context, Burns would be rightly satirical towards them all. He'd have some affinity with the many good people in both the Labour and the Scottish National parties, but even these two nowadays are somewhat slickly institutional and I don't think Burns would be a member of any political party. My guess is that a Burns living in the 21st century would be a bit too independent-minded for that.





Alexandria
Do you have any plans for any Homecoming Scotland 2009 events and are you getting involved with any Robert Burns Celebrations?


Dr. Gerard
I'll be speaking in Glasgow, Oxford, St Andrews, Prague, Vancouver, South Carolina and other places in 2009. I'll also be giving a talk at the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh on 'Burns and his Biographers'. This will have Homecoming endorsement. I also advised on the Burns exhibition, 'Zig Zag, the Paths of Robert Burns' which will tour Scotland as a Homecoming backed project during 2009. It is already opened, however, at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. It has been quite brilliantly put together by Kenneth Dunn, Imogen Gibbs and Robert Betteridge.



Beth
Dr. Gerard, Will there be a Homecoming Scotland 2009 event(s) that are aimed at sparking the interest of children towards Robert Burns? I work as a teacher-aide (children 9-15 in NY). I wish more academic time was spent on classical writings, including of course, Robert Burns. However, with state testing, so much of the exciting educational topics are whittled down or non-existent. As I understand, Robert Burns loved children. Are there presently, or will there be, any websites created about Robert Burns that are geared towards children 9-15?

Dr. Gerard
At our Glasgow three day conference in January we're having a panel and a competition re Burns and children's writing in association with 'Itchycoo' (check out what they're doing for kids, including a brilliant new publication). Also, the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh is putting together some great modern material of relevance to teaching younger age groups. Check out both Itchycoo and SPL websites for more details (as well as that of our own Burns Centre).


Alexandria
Do you think all the Homecoming Scotland Events will bring more worldwide attention to Scotland and to Robert Burns?

Dr. Gerard
I hope so. It is like anything really. If things are well done and inspiring then an appropriate stir will be caused. Watch that space! The 'Zig Zag' exhibition I've just mentioned portends well, and fingers crossed!


Beth
If someone attending Homecoming Scotland 2009 was just becoming acquainted with Robert Burns' writings, aside from his more famous pieces, what other not-so-well known piece(s) would you recommend to them to delve into?


Dr. Gerard
'A Poet's Welcome', as I've mentioned. I'd suggest though they should start the likes of 'Tam o' Shanter', 'To a Louse' and so on. I'd also suggest a good way in would be to listen to the complete songs recorded for Linn records under the production of Fred Freeman. I'd maybe direct a bit of initial attention too to the less 'Scottish' pieces such as 'A Winter Night', which I think is very finely meditative and although increasingly better known I'd like to see people reading 'Address of Beelzebub' when they begin with Burns – a brilliant satire and a fine example of Burns as one of the first modern lowland Scottish writers to speak up for the highlands.


Rose
Can you please tell us what is being planned at The Centre For Robert Burns Studies and Glasgow University for the celebrations and what do you hope to achieve by the end of 2009?

Dr. Gerard
At Glasgow we're having a three day conference (over seventy academic papers and some excellent performance as well), from 15th-17th January. If interested, please check out our website for the Centre for Robert Burns Studies which I direct at Glasgow University. There will be a premiere of a new setting of Burns's 'Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots' by James Macmillan and a performance of The Merry Muses by Sheena Wellington among other things. We'll properly launch the Oxford University Press edition which I've mentioned already as well as the book, Fickle Man and a limited facsimile edition of Walter Scott's book edition (1823) of Burns's The Fornicators' Court, a project undertaken by the Faculty of Advocates and the Abbotsford Library Research Committee. This book will be finely produced and has an introduction written by my graduate student Pauline Gray (who is doing a PhD on Burns and Bawdry) and by me. Only 1,000 copies will be available so if you want one of these get in quick!

Thank you all for your questions and your kind interest and I wish you all a great Burns year in 2009!
END

                                                            
We wish to once again thank Dr. Gerard for his informative and interesting answers and to our members who sent us some great questions.

More information can be found on Dr Gerard and The Centre For Robert Burns Studies on this link below, with a link to The Homecoming website too:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/robertburnsstudies/

http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com/default.html

Rose and Alexandria

Here is some exciting and wonderful news from another of our very
special Honorary Members, eminent Burnsian David Sibbald.

We so enjoyed reading this news from David it's just fantastic and a great honour, congratulations to David.

 

My time is currently taken up with the launch of the new CD but I wanted to let you know of breaking news about the Homecoming.

Glasgow are planning an outdoor Burns Supper to take place in George Square on the 25th January. They will cordon off the traffic around this square and expect about 25,000 people to be present.

The last time that the streets around George Square were cordoned off was at the unveiling of Burns Statue in 1877. About 30,000 people attended this event.

Can we beat this?
It promises to be one of the largest events staged for the Homecoming.

At present we know that there will be Choirs, Pipe Bands and that I will propose the Immortal Memory.

I believe that this will be transmitted Worldwide on the Internet but I will let you know of further details as I receive them.

I hope you all can make this and I look forward to meeting you all on the night.

David Sibbald

 

Please also checkout David's wonderful new CD of 'The Greatest Love Poems In The World' which you can purchase here:

http://www.robertburns.plus.com/form.htm

 

Love Rose

 

Saturday night i attended a Phabulous Phantom Themed Dinner Party at the Beautiful Victorian Warren House in Kingston-Upon-Thames, joined by my brother Michael and his partner Janice.  As we entered the panelled hall, log fires were burning giving a cosy warm welcome,  we were led into a lovely georgian style salon with sparkling chandeliers for a champagne reception, more fires glowing, rose petals on the tables and POTO music in the background, the atmosphere was being set from the beginning. The other guests began arriving, some ladies had brought along their masks in anticipation. There were around 28 guests in all, almost equal men and women which was nice. Then the doors to the ballroom were opened to reveal a beautiful room, with more pillars, decorative plasterwork, candles burning everywhere, big chandeliers sparkling and the table looked wonderful. Masks, rose petals, candelabras, little menus tied in black ribbons very elegant, it was all a joy to see and giving an 1880's atmosphere, as was the intention.

We had a sumptious parisian themed dinner, the company was great and the wine and conversation flowed. I had heard one of the couples there had got married in Venice with a POTO theme, that made me smile, this has always been my fantasy, i loved it.

As if this all wasn't enough, one of our Honorary Members at LCL/RT the amazing spinto tenor Gari Glaysher was going to sing songs from Phantom with the lovely Rebecca Watson as Christine, what a treat.

 Gari and Rebecca were just wonderful, looking handsome and beautiful and made an effort to create a little of the story for us. Starting with the lovely Think Of Me, then Gari leading Rebecca in the stirring Phantom Of The Opera, moving around the table as much as they could and then Gari sang the Music Of The Night. I especially loved it when Gari sang the beautiful 'All I Ask Of You' as the Phantom instead of Raoul, something us Ladies Of The Lair so wanted to see happen, beautfiul to watch and hear, their voices are superb. Rebecca then sang the lovely Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, I hadn't known beforehand that Gari was going to sing as Don Juan in The Point Of No Return, so when he entered the room in the black mask i just had to give a little whistle, Don Juan has that effect on me as some of you know  luckily all the guests were quite merry by then as the conversation beforehand had got a bit jovial, so i thought it was okay. It was lovely to see, again superbly sung and an unforgettable ending to the performance. Everyone thought they were just great and complimented them. Afterwards Gari came around with roses for the ladies, very romantic. I was wishing  all the Ladies Of The Lair could have attended this special night too, it was just lovely and i know they would have adored it just like me. I now have another favourite, Gari makes a striking Phantom and of course his voice is tremendous, as is Rebeccas.

I  thank the lovely ladies Karyn and Samantha from Warren House for taking such good care of us and for putting on such an enchanting event and hope there will be another one in the not too distant future, i cannot wait.

As a charming Scotsman, who also gave us a little Robert Burns another connection there, summed it up at the table, it was far more than he had expected, great place, great company, great  food and great singers.

I think it is safe to say there are many, many other wonderful Phantom fans out there we don't know about and have yet to meet.

The Music Of The Night Will Never Be Over.

 

 Warren House Details  below:

http://www.warrenhouse.com/index.php

 

 

Love Rose

As we are soon to celebrate our 1000th aricle on RT Robert Burns, I thought this was most appropriate, it's part of a great article from The Daily Mail yesterday on Bob Dylan and Robert Burns. I think you will enjoy this as much as i did. Red, Red Rose is my favourite poem as well, so simple yet says it all.

 

 

The Article:

Dylan's Selection: Burns's Red, Red Rose


O my luve is like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June;

O my luve's like the melodie

That's sweetly play'd in tune.


As fair art thou, my bonny lass

So deep in luve am i;

And i will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.




'His powerful songs have inspired generations of other musicians.


Now Bob Dylan has named his own greatest inspiration....as the Scottish poet Robert Burns.


The American singer-songwriter was asked to say which lyric or verse has had the biggest effect on his life.


He selected the 1794 song A Red, Red Rose which is often published as a poem, penned by the man regarded as Scotland's national poet.


According to some experts it was based on a song Burns heard a girl singing.


The poet himself, a pioneer of the Romantic movement, referred to it as a

'simple old Scots song which i had picked up in the country'.


Dr Gerard Carruthers, director of the Centre for Robert Burns Studies at the

University of Glasgow, said 'A Red, Red Rose is one of the greatest love songs of all time. It's a song that resonates down the ages. It's part of the Burns song canon.

'It's one of his most emotive and emotional, perhaps his biggest expression of love.

'Burns was a hugely committed artist who dealt with everyday emotions and big emotions so in that sense it's not a surprise he's influenced Dylan.

'I imagine Dylan will still be loved in 200 years as much as Burns is'.

Dylan revealed his connection to the verse as part of the music retailer HMV's My Inspiration campaign, started by David Bowie two years ago.


Dylan is the 100th artist to take part.

Paul Rees, editor-in-chief of music magazine Q, said 'You can rely on Dylan

to be different.
Most musicians have chosen other musicians as their

inspiration and lot of them have chosen Dylan himself'.

'Lyrically, Dylan is very literary. You could imagine the influence of this.


The best Bob Dylan lyrics have that sort of romanticism.

'Burns was a folk hero and Dylan is also very much of that American song book tradition of traditional folk music.



As a final word i would like to say, with all the famous. wealthy and amazing people around the world that so admire Robert Burns, Burnsians, Scholars, Film people, Actors, Musicians, Politicians etc, why is it so hard to get a truly wonderful Robert Burns film made of his life and legacy once and for all?


Surely with co-operation and goodwill without too much thought of big profits, they could all put their talents, passions and resources together, with the Scottish people and fnally achieve this.

Rose .