Ian Smith – Hurty Gurty Man, Merchant City Festival, Glasgow 2009

Mischief La-Bas

Welcome to the world of Mischief La-Bas, a performance company specialising in interactive comedy, walkabout characters, corporate event entertainment and outdoor theatre. For over 15 years, they have devoted themselves to ‘gently warping the underlay of the fabric of society’.

The Hurty Gurty Man

Occasionally over the years, Ian Smith has inflicted his singing on the public in a variety of guises, from ersatz pop singer to faux crooner. In this instance however, he wishes to return to street level, whether you like it or not. Subverting the jolly image of the Organ Grinder by croaking out inappropriate chansons of doom and despair, he will ignore his plague-ridden minkey and vehemently refuse your money. Musicians Andy Frizell and La Chunky agreed to prepare his organ.

http://www.mischieflabas.co.uk/

Scott Walker version of Angels of Ashes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Walker_(singer)

Really beautiful song that I’d never heard until Ian’s lovely rendition during the Merchant City Festival. I’d be interested in learning more about the song and will look into this further. In the meantime though I found interesting parallels between Lorraine Lamond‘s stained glass work and Chagall – see video and link below.