Tangerine Dream are touring again in 2019 and the only UK venues appear to have been the Barbican (London) and BAad (Glasgow) where they performed last night. Hector and Marg were there. Hector first saw Tangerine Dream at the Kelvin Hall (Glasgow) back in 1974,
one month after seeing CAN at Glasgow’s City Hall where TD also performed the following year. This Glasgow venue was a new one for Hector, online photos showed a hangar like auditorium sometimes with occasional chairs in situ. The venue was contacted, surely no one expects an audience, particularly of a certain age as Tangerine Dream fans must all be by now, to stand? Standing was confirmed though the suggestion of – a few chairs – and – come early – was mooted.
Marg and Hector arrived at 18.30 to find a crowd of weans queued around the adjacent block housing Barrowlands, not our queue obviously. People were inside BAad already, a restaurant in full swing. We were let in from the cold at the promised 19.00 and managed to find one space on a pew of four. A chap was on stage adjusting wiring at a table centre stage. A young lady stood beside him, a screen showed kaleidoscopic projections, sounds were accompanying.
Doris (?) stood for the next seventy five minutes occasionally addressing a switch or two, watching the projections, smiling occasionally, looking pleased with herself. Who was this? Were we to assume these were her compositions? As the set progressed so the sounds became more Tangerine Dream-like, the sounds of TD in the 1980s, crazy.
In the interval there was quite a bit of chatter with my neighbours. Hector was wearing a Klaus Schulze t-shirt, which surrounding stalwarts recognised the significance of. Edgar Froese, co-founder of Tangerine Dream with Klaus Schulze in 1967, was ever-present until his passing in 2015, Jerome Froese, Edgar’s son, joined in 1990. I must have seen Tangerine Dream in that era. Jerome Froese left in 2006. I was informed that Jerome Froese subsequently joined up with Johannes Schmoelling of the 1980s TD line up, and they have released material as – Loom. The current line-up for Tangerine Dream therefore has no original members, the words – Tribute Act – came to mind. Thorsten Quaeschning joined Tangerine Dream in 2005, Edgar Froese essentially bequeathed him the band. Violinist, Hoshiko Yamane, joined in 2011 with Ulrich Schnauss becoming part of the 2015 release Quantum Key / Quantum Gate.
At 20.30 last night, what is now Tangerine Dream, took to the stage. The familiar Betrayal (Sorcerer, 1997) kicked things off. Love on a Real Train (Dream Sequence, 1985) and Horizon Parts 1 and 2 (Horizon, 2014) followed on. Some of the lead Violin work was moving to say the least, the Sequencers hit Bass notes that no stringed instrument could ever create. The – TD Sound – was there, loud at times, quiet at others. Why was the chatter of surrounding chaps drowning out the music? How much Bier do people have to drink during a concert? Had we all been seated then due reverence would have been paid.
Marg and Hector were perched on a shelf at the top of the pew which was thankfully well supported by a pillar. People chose to stand behind us at the Bar rather than try to get in to the very full standing area. The Restaurant was still knocking out meals, the aroma of garlic alternated with what smelled like burnt toast. There was a mezzanine above us, I had asked if there were chairs up there. A chap at the foot of the stairs said he was only to let people upstairs who had a wristband.
How do I get a wristband? – I don’t know.
Were people actually having dinner throughout this show? We were happy to have our perch, though bums were becoming uncomfortably numb. I do not get – BAad.
Thorsten Quaeschning looked quite pleased with himself throughout the gig and gave regular smiles to those directly in front of him. His head would gently rock from side to side in an approving manner, he looked happy to see the turnout in Glasgow. Ulrich Schnauss had his back to the audience for most of the show. His table had an array of electronics with one keyboard which permitted a side on view from the audience. 
For me, the best moments were when Hoshiko Yamane was in full flow. Her lead lines matched the sounds of Tangerine Dream tracks and were reminiscent of Bernard Xolotl’s – Procession – album and the work of Anna Phoebe of AVA who supported Anathema in Glasgow last year.
At 21.20 Paul Frick of – Brandt Brauer Frick – joined the band onstage. He played the lead piano part on Ricochet Part 2 (Ricochet, 1975), at last something I recognised. Stratosfear (Stratosfear, 1975) followed on, again from my era. The rest of the set featured extended version of tracks from Quantum Gate / Quantum Key: It Is Time to Leave When Everyone Is Dancing – may hold a special irony. Tangerine Dream were the pioneers in Electronica, not Dance Music which IMHO destroyed the genre.
At 22.30 the final piece began – Identity Proven Matrix. Marg was firmly sat on the seat of the pew, knackered. By 23.00 Hector was desperate to depart, it was 23.15 when Tangerine Dream called it a night. Self indulgence – would have been an understatement for the last hour. Some of the latter music did have its moments, especially when the Violin featured.
With UFO and Hawkwind both doing fifty year anniversary gigs in Glasgow this year, there is a feeling that this may well be the last time to see such acts. Hector has tickets for quite a few bands in the coming weeks. As usual, Curry should be part of the night out unless someone thinks they have a veto. Who would dare?
Curry-Heute
A Saturday afternoon in Glasgow, Das Ritual Curry-Heute. John, who missed last Saturday’s extravaganza, contacted me en route to Karahi Palace (51 – 53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ) saying that he wished he knew I was going. If Hector is in Glasgow on a Saturday there shall be Curry @15.00, whoever wishes to join me is welcome to do so, just ask.
Last Saturday, Karahi Palace excelled themselves which was fitting for Visit #100. Archie had his favoured Palak Gosht which I couldn’t wait to sample in full, therefore today’s venue and choice of Curry was a no-brainer.
Arriving at 15.00, Qaiser was there to greet, I was able to take one of the two optimum tables on the ground floor seating area.
Is Palak Gosht (£6.50) available? – Qaiser confirmed this was possible. A Paratha (£1.80) would complete the Order. A Paratha for a change.
Chef Rashid and Chef #3 were on duty, I assume it was Rashid who did the honours. Meanwhile, Catch Phrase was on TV, how the graphics have improved since the early days, though participation was limited due to the widescreen TV not being set up correctly. A young boy brought an initially appreciated Jug of Tap Water. Why could I taste – Bleach – in the Water?
Qaiser brought the Curry and Bread, as always at Karahi Palace, a Feast fit for a Hector.
Palak Gosht
No Ginger Strips today, simply an abundance of Fresh Coriander and slices of large Green Chillies. The Masala was pretty much non-existent, just a coating of Herbs on the Meat. The Oil had already collected at the base of the bowl. Hector was eating his Curry from a bowl once more.
The first intake of Meat with Chillies instigated a – Wow! This was another Magnificent creation. Archie had let us have a Soupçon last Saturday, the Bitterness which tends to put me off this Dish was simply missing. This was a very Smooth, Herb-rich Curry. The Meat, the largest pieces I have seen this week, was of the highest Quality, so Soft, Tender. Brilliant, and I have eaten Quality Lamb this week in both Manchester (Kabana) and Bradford (Sarina’s).
The Paratha had all the classic signs of authenticity: Layering, Flakiness and the Swirl. I would manage all but a tenth, I must have been hungry.
The Spice Level in the Palak Gosht was manageable, especially after the self-inflicted woes at Kabana on Thursday. The Seasoning was exactly as Hector seeks, near the top end of the scale. Archie said last week that this was the best Palak Gosht he had ever experienced, I have to agree. However, I did find it heavy going towards the bottom of the bowl. I still miss the Kofta Palak as served once upon a time at Cafe Salma. Karahi Palace have Kofta Saag (£6.50) on the Menu, I must ask for this, but not next visit, then it will be back to – The Usual.
The Bill
£8.70 Much more amenable without the indulgence of Lamb Chops.
The Aftermath
I thanked both Qaiser and Chef Rashid for their outstanding Fayre for Karahi Palace #100 last Saturday. Qaiser was amused that they did not have enough karahi for our individual orders. As he said, normally people in a group would order by the Kilo, and so they would use their large karahi. Hector had other ideas.