Glasgow – Karahi Palace – UFO – Lights Out, Lights Out in Glasgow

Last Orders, UFO played in Glasgow this evening, one of their final gigs in the 50^th Anniversary Tour. Performances on The Old Grey Whistle Test throughout the 1970s never impressed. I must have been aware of their double live album release in 1979 – Strangers in The Night, I bought it for the first time in Tel Aviv in 1980.

As manager of the Volunteers’ Bar on Kibbutz Ashdot Ya’akov (Me’uchad) for the the first months of 1980 I was made aware of a chap in Tel Aviv who needed to sell his record collection. Helmut from Schweiz drove me on his motorbike from Emek Hayarden (Jordan Valley) to the coast. I was able to cherry pick this poor guy’s collection, Strangers in the Night – was one of a dozen records I relieved him of. Those who knew it congratulated me, it became a firm favourite. Michael Schenker’s guitar work, on side three in particular, was the standout feature to many – Lights Out – & – Rock Bottom. Paul Raymond’s keyboard backing was for me what made this the perfect album. Strangers in The Night – was one of the first albums I purchased on my return to Scotland, along with Peter Gabriel’s – Ein Deutsches Album – which I heard in a Köln record shop on the long trek back across Europe plus Rainbow – Rising. In December 1982, Michael Schenker performed with Paul Raymond in Glasgow as part of – MSG. What a time to be alive.

A Social Medium revealed that Jim and Aileen were also going to see UFO this evening, Jonathan didn’t tell me until we met up this afternoon at the Allison Arms for the Bad Boys’ Club – BBC. There had to be Curry before the gig at the O2 in Eglinton Street, so where better than Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ)? Jim, Aileen and Jonathan were elsewhere for Karahi Palace Visit #100.

The rendezvous this Sunday evening was at 18.00. Chef Rashid was at his usual cooking spot, Qaiser was again wearing an apron, a new chap was serving, this was his first day. He brought Menus, Jim was impressed, he had never seen a Menu before at Karahi Palace.

Are we having Starters? – asked Jim. It was time to text Marg and inform her we would not be at The Laurieston at 19.00. Seekh Kebab Chicken (£3.00) was the choice of – The Chaps. Aileen chose Mushroom Pakora (£2.50). As always, Jonathan ordered Keema Matar (£6.50), Jim followed Hector’s lead – Karahi Gosht (£7.90) whilst the Aileen opted for the Lady’s Curry – Chicken Tikka Patia (£7.90) which included Rice. Three Chapattis (£0.70) and three cans of Coke (£0.80) would complete the Order.

Karahi Gosht – repeated the Waiter – that sounds good, have you had it before?

I pointed to the certificate on the counter – This is Visit 102!

There are ladies who are oft present at Karahi Palace, I have never really got to grips with their role, it must be more than just clearing up and occasionally bringing Dishes to the table. One brought the Starters.

Seekh Kebab Chicken

This may well be the first time Hector has had Seekh Kebab at Karahi Palace, if having a Starter then usually Lamb Chops prevail. I would have preferred a Lamb Seekh Kebab, but in a Starter, Chicken is acceptable. There was a good – Kick – from the Kebabs, I was not expecting them to be this Spicy. Jim commented on the Salt content, I took this to be a positive, it was for me. The Hot, Red Spicy Sauce enhanced the experience. I should have this again, much lighter than Lamb Chops.

Mushroom Pakora

Nine Mushrooms in a Batter which looked menacing due to the red flecks. This is definitely a first in Curry-Heute.

The batter was spicy, the mushrooms were tender – Aileen assured me.

I doubt that I would ever order this, Mushrooms as part of a Mixed Pakora – OK – but just Mushrooms?

Karahi Gosht

I have reviewed this Curry many, many times. It is difficult to think of anything new to write, however, behold – something different.

Instead of serving us separate karahi, one big karahi contained both Jim and I’s – Karahi Gosht. For a brief moment I wondered if a second would arrive, thankfully not.

Fresh Coriander Leaves and Stems topped the mass of Meat and Masala. Jim picked out a large Green Chilli, that impressed him. Sucky Bones and Lamb Chops were present, the best of Lamb. A considerable Quantity of Oil had already collected at the base of the karahi, we both avoided overdosing. The Tomato-based Masala had the distinctive Karahi Palace Flavours. I would love to know the exact blend of Spice and Herbs which creates this masterpiece. Once again, Chef Rashid had done us proud.

Adequate – was Jim’s first comment, he repeated – Adequate. Aye right, he continued:

A combination of Lamb on-the-bone and off, the Lamb-on was more tender. The flavours were all there, absolutely fantastic, maybe a tad oily.

Indeed, and much better than anything available in his home town of Paisley, though Jim has yet to visit Green Gates (Renfrew) which I must get back to.

Keema Matar

Once again there was copious fresh Coriander. I am intrigued by the two shades of colour for the Peas. Oil was collecting around the edge of the mass of Mince, there was hardly a trace of Masala.

Shall I cut and paste what you said last time? – I suggested to Jonathan. This he considered to be a good move:

Slightly oilier than last time, a good mix of flavours.

Chicken Tikka Patia

I never thought I would see the day when Karahi Palace would serve up a Curry with the horrible – Red Food Dye. The recipe I was given on my Curry Course had this unnecessary ingredient, my posted recipe for Chicken Patia excludes it. I have only cooked Chicken Patia twice in the time of Curry-Heute, Marg and I couldn’t get enough of it once upon a time, until one day – we had.

Aileen’s account:

Tangy, and next time I would order Chicken Breast not Chicken Tikka, it was overpowering.

The Bill

The Waiter asked if we wished one Bill or to pay separately.

What is more difficult for you? – I asked, he had to learn. Separate it was.

Hector – £11.60, Jim – £12.40, Aileen – £11.20, Jonathan – £11.00. Simples, or so I thought. The poor chap was all over the place, he asked Aileen for a hideous amount. She had to point out that the Rice was inclusive. Jim too was overcharged, I asked to see the actual Bill. £4.00 for each for the Seekh Kebabs. I pointed to the Menu where it clearly said £3.00, he pointed to another part where it said £4.00. We had Starters. In the end he let us each pay what we thought we owed. It was his first day.

The Aftermath

Marg, back from a Hen Night in Aberdoom was in the queue for UFO, she was inside the venue by the time we walked along Nelson Street.

Tara Lynch

Tara Lynch, aka Gui-Tara, was an unknown until this evening. Fronting her own Band she kicked off her set with an instrumental, this greatly impressed. Not since seeing Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen many moons ago had I witnessed such energetic playing. The set alternated with instrumentals and songs. The lyrics for the songs felt unnecessary when Tara’s ability on Guitar was what shone throughout the set.

Marg had managed to find a spot fairly close to the front, so a couple of decent photos were captured. Everyone around us appeared to be enjoying the set, my only issue was with the Bass player. With the many sounds available, why have the Bass tuned to match the thud of the Bass Drum? Surely something more melodic, resonant, would be better? Here is what Lara posted on a social medium about tonight:

GLASGOW!!!!! This was by far one of the highlights of this tour. What a crowd!!! You cheered so loudly upon our entrance to the stage…again after each and every song…and collectively said “Noooooooo” in disappointment when I announced our last song of the night. I will return!!!

UFO

With Michael Schenker long gone and Vinnie Moore encamped on Guitar since 2004, it was a matter of to what extent would he try to replicate the Schenker – Gibson Flying V – Guitar sound? Also, would Phil Mogg, now in his seventies and the only ever-present in the the UFO line-up, still have a voice? How many tracks from – Strangers in The Night – would be performed? With over twenty albums to choose from and forty years since – Strangers in The Night – was released, there would have to be songs which few would know.

A hand bell was rung – Last Orders – to announce the arrival of UFO onstage. The set-list has been the same on each leg of the tour until tonight with Alex Harvey’s – Faith Healer – being used as an intro to Mother Mary (Force It). Well, they were in Glasgow! Four studio albums provided the songs which appeared on – Strangers in the Night. Tonight, in addition to Mother Mary, we were treated to Lights Out, Love to Love and Too Hot to Handle from the  Lights Out album; Mother Mary and Shoot Shoot from Force It; Cherry and Only You Can Rock Me from Obsession; Doctor Doctor and Rock Bottom from Phenomenon. I’m a Loser from No Heavy Petting was the one song missing tonight I would love to have heard.

Andy Parker, from the original line-up, was on Drums and new boy Rob de Luca on Bass. Paul Raymond, back for his fourth stint with UFO was on Rhythm Guitar and Keyboards.

Phil Mogg, wearing a pork pie hat, looked every one of his seventy years. The hat came off eventually to reveal that he is one of – the handsome chaps. The voice was there, tonally at least, though the strength has dissipated. Both Paul and especially Rob backed up Phil on vocals, the latter really blended into the UFO sound of yesteryear.

Vinnie Moore, I knew the name but have none of his records. He had to play the Schenker chord progressions but the solos were his own until he was forced back to the Schenker motifs to conclude each song. Moore’s Guitar sound was markedly different from Schenker’s, a higher pitch, I suppose it had to be.

Before the encores of Doctor Doctor and Shoot Shoot we were treated to a rendition of – I belong to Glasgow – sung a cappella by Phil.

It has taken me nearly forty years to see the man who sang so magnificently on – Strangers in The Night. Tonight was a treat, Hector is getting on too. It’s thirty nine years since Helmut and I sat at a coffee house in Jenin (The West Bank) and chatted with the locals.

Update, Saturday, April 13th, 2019

The UFO gig in Glasgow was Sunday last week, alas, Paul Raymond has joined – The Immortals.  I hope I made it clear in my review above that I regarded him as the anchor for what made the delight that was UFO.