A Friday night Takeaway, another opperchancity to sample the Fayre at the local: Spice India (133 Riddle Street, Clydebank G81 2DH). Last time, Visit #1, I missed – Achari – on their menu, tonight, time to rectify. Risking the teatime rush, I sauntered along during the six o’clock news. Another Cabinet Minister has bitten the dust.
Lamb Achari Balti (£8.95) and Mushroom Rice (£3.00) was duly ordered. Last time I played the – no Peppers – card and possibly caused confusion. Capsicum and Chilli may be botanically related, as has been written often in these pages, one is an anathema as far as Curry-Heute is concerned, the other, a necessity. My Blog, my taste, but regular readers will already have guessed what’s coming.
The Bill
£11.95. As I waited I studied the Pizza menu, Toppings appear to be few, and no Black Olives.
No Complimentary Poppadoms tonight.
The Mushroom Rice filled the plate, and Hector’s dinner plate is large. Somehow, I knew I would manage every grain this evening. Tasty Rice, fresh Mushrooms.
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Lamb Achari Balti
The Meat count was well into double figures, large pieces too. The blended Masala had a decent viscosity. Hector was eating Mainstream Curry. As I decanted, I saw – shiny red. Tomato I hoped, nope. I picked out the first of many pieces of the dreaded Vegetable Mush, that which can destroy the – after-pleasure – of eating Curry, Ballast, by any other nomenclature.
On the Spice India menu, the following list – Peppers : Jalfrazi, Masaladar, Jaipuri, Jalandhari, and possibly Punjabi Masala. Achari Balti does not, so why include them? Chillies – are listed, I would find two only. Is this wind up Hector week?
December’s Mirchi Masala gave off a definite – Tang. Tonight I was hoping for the full on – Pickle Blast. The plan was to drown out any sense of this having the ubiquitous Clydebank Curry Taste.
There was a modest – kick – the Seasoning felt fine. That this was an Achari came across, but only sporadically. More Pickle was required. The two Chillies appeared to have been the major source of the Pickle Flavour. A lot more Pickle and more stirring required.
The Meat was suitably Tender, but was not giving much more than – meatiness – back. Still, significantly better than so called – Chicken Curry.
Not too shabby – was a fair conclusion. After three decades of being a Clydebank resident, it may be time to accept that – Desi – does not live here.
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Riverside (The Garage, Glasgow, April 20)
Last night, Riverside played in Glasgow for the first time in four years. A much welcomed return, however, in March 2019 on the – Wasteland – tour, Hector declared that when Riverside next took to the road, the band would be followed. Howard accompanied Hector through four gigs: Berlin, then around Polska, at the end of September last year, a veritable – road trip, but by train. That was their – 20th Anniversary Tour – even though it had spilled over into year 21. This tour is to promote the recently released album – I.D. Entity.
Somewhat frustratingly, last year, no songs from the outstanding – Wasteland – album were featured, and guess what, none on this tour either. If bands are to sell DVDs of their shows, then I suppose each tour has to feature different songs.
Riverside are: Piotr Kozieradzki (drums), Michal Lapaj (keyboards), Maciej Meller (guitar), and main composer Mariusz Duda (bass, guitar, vocals).
Hector and Marg secured a front row spot, stage right. All photos were taken on the trusty Oppo. Colin, who had never heard of Riverside until I mentioned them on the recent Bamberg trip, joined us. Riverside took to the stage at 20.00 and played for around an hour and three quarters. The stage barrier provided a bit of relief, who can stand at our age for that length of time these days? Mariusz even referred to the band as being – old – and appreciated that some of us would like seats. However, in the spirit of engagement, it was better we stood.
Six of the seven songs on I.D. Entity were spread throughout the set. Much of the older material was selected due to the – vocables – which allow a sing-along for those who like that sort of thing. When you’re a Polish band with English lyrics, touring Europe, I suppose this helps break down language barriers.
We are a Prog Band – Mariusz proudly mentioned more than once. Steven Wilson has never been sure if his works, with or without Porcupine Tree, come into that category.
The promised – sing-alongs – were declared to be – five minutes – into the respective songs. Five minutes, and then some.
02 Panic Room (Rapid Eye Movement) is one song that can never be dropped from the set. The lyric contains – Shelter of Mine – which the band have adopted as the moniker for their fan club. This is not free to join, but one can then gain access to special releases e.g. the tour DVDs. The concert from the – Wasteland – tour is available on YouTube, Oberhausen, November 2018.
Riverside can rock, they can also be majestically quiet. Why people, especially the Polish contingent who ensured they got their spot at the front beside us, have to talk though these more intimate moments … well, it’s an ongoing issue at gigs.
Being now in possession of seven Riverside CDs, I knew every song. Last year’s tour certainly helped make me more familiar with the back catalogue as performed live. The musical themes in each song are powerful. Marg assured me she could follow the story in the lyrics. People can do this? And the delivery of these lyrics is wonderful. Mariusz Duda is a gifted musician and performer, I also have two of his solo albums under the name of – Lunatic Soul. That feels like a good point to stop.
Give Riverside a listen, these days one does not have to commit to buying albums. And spot, Marg, Hector, and Colin front-right.
