Hector’s second Curry of the week, nothing unusual there, but a second gig and hence write-up, busy times. Tonight it was Riverside (Polska) supported by Lesoir (Nederland). As with The Pineapple Thief reviewed on Thursday, I have been slowly getting into Riverside in the last few years. Lesoir I had never heard of until today. It is good to expand one’s musical diaspora and not just go to see the tried and tested.
Being a Saturday there had to be Curry-Heute, Howard, who would accompany Hector to SWG3 for tonight’s gig, was keen to join me for the entire day. He’ll be thinking we’re friends next.
It has been a while since I enjoyed the delightful pleasure that is Yadgar Kebab House (148 Calder St, Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP). Yadgar was the first venue to reach #100 reviews on Curry-Heute. Having celebrated Visit #100 at Karahi Palace recently, a return to Yadgar was overdue. Even though it is possible that by the end of this year, Karahi Palace will have more visits, Yadgar still set the standard by which all Curry is judged.
Normally Hector advises Shkoor, Mein Host in advance what is desired. Howard agreed that we should simply drop in today at 14.00 and sample the Daily Specials. Arriving a few minutes early I was happy to survey what was on offer and see Lamb with something plus Keema Aloo Mutter. Chicken may well have been present in the alternative Dishes. Shkoor appeared from the dining area, he identified the Lamb Curry as Tinday Gosht.
Kadu is what I know this as – I proferred to Shkoor. He began to explain the difference, but was distracted. Research reveals that Tinda is a Gourd whilst Kadu is a Pumpkin. One can eat both, but musical instruments can be made from Gourd not Pumpkin. Those who found this tome whilst searching for a Riverside review will just have to wait, this is primarily a Curry Blog.
Shkoor also mentioned Aloo Gobi was available and planted the seed for – Paratha. When Howard arrived I invited him to inspect what was on display, he was happy with what had evolved in the previous minutes: two portions of Tinday Gosht, one of Aloo Gosht and two Paratha. The Order was relayed to Shkoor:
Two portions, not two kilos…
Two cans of Mango Rubicon were placed on the table followed moments later by a plate of Spiced Onions, the pile of Poppadoms arrived thereafter. Shkoor asked if we were in a hurry. The gig starts around 18.30, we have a few hours.
I had to confess to Shkoor that Karahi Palace, his major competitor on Curry-Heute, had recently reached Visit #100, he was aware of this. So he does keep tabs.
A new young employee brought a plate of Freshly prepared Fish Pakora. He enquired if we desired any accompaniments. I asked for the Hot (temperature) Chilli Sauce. Such is the Yadgar experience, and why people are always happy to accompany Hector here on his visits, food simply arrives.
Fish Pakora
Six pieces, two were decidedly – Large – no frivolous Garnish, no waste. Taking one of the large pieces I decided not to wait for the Hot Sauce or use a fork, this was so much better. Eating Fish with one’s fingers, it’s a very British thing. The Fish was Scottish Haddock, only our waters produce such chunky, white Fish. This Haddock was seriously Fresh, and Piping Hot, a treat in its own right. The Batter was Spiced, the combination of Heat and Spice was quite superb. Cue the Hot Sauce, even more pleasure.
I turned the plate so that the remaining large piece was nearer Howard, he declined the offer and took the small piece instead, friendship.
We were eating the last morsels when Shkoor asked if we wished the Mains right away. A break was agreed, time to let the Fish digest.
Tinday Gosht
Lamb in a Shorva with slices of a slimy Vegetable. This is not the Curry which Hector typically seeks, however, it was for something different from our usual Karahi variants which brought us here. The Curry was served in a single plate, was this one large portion or two small ones? No more came, we took our share.
Time to address the Paratha: this was from Wholemeal Flour and was Large, Shiny, Layered and Flaky. Only on tearing off the ritual strip did the – Spiral – reveal itself.
The Lamb was on-the-bone, Tender, yet still required a degree of chewing. The Tinda was cut into wedges, very soft and made no obvious impact in terms of Flavour, however, such was the Overall Flavour from the Shorva there may have been a subtle contribution. The Spice and Seasoning were at a decent level, when Shkoor asked for my verdict:
A pleasant change – was the immediate response.
A thought for the future, I wonder how Apple and Tinda would work together in a Masala.
Aloo Gobi
Cauliflower, Potato in a Thick Yadgar Masala topped with Fresh Coriander. Tomato is visible in there too, I wondered if the base Masala was that used in the Magnificent Yadgar Vegetable Curry. The first intake of Aloo Gobi was one of those moments which Hector lives for. I spontaneously remarked to Howard how – Wonderful – this was. I could have sat and eaten this Aloo Gobi for the rest of the day. How Chef Arshad gets so much Flavour into a Vegetable Curry has baffled for years, this was one of his finest creations. Inevitably the Potato and Cauliflower were cooked to perfection, but what makes it an Aloo Gobi is the Masala. Shkoor passed by, I was keen to share the pleasure with Mein Host:
This is out of this World!
This was why we were here, what Yadgar is all about – Flavours in the extreme.
Shkoor asked if we wished more Lamb or more Aloo Gobi, temptation. I had nearly eaten all of what was my share, only a scrap of Paratha was left. I consulted Howard, we were replete. I spoke for us both:
If we stop now, we leave with honour, more would just be greedy.
Is Hector losing it?
Howard too was declaring his pleasure throughout the meal, here are his formal words:
A chance to try something different, Lamb with Tinda in a Shorva for a change. Whatever dish we have, the quality always shines through at Yadgar. The Fish Pakora was probably the best I’ve ever had. The Aloo Gobi was stunning. The Paratha was perfect, and the main dish built spice right to the end. The hospitality was special, so great thanks to Shkoor.
The Bill
£20.00 Definitely – Mate’s Rates.
The Aftermath
Shkoor told us that Naveed, Yadgar’s stalwart employee has been off for a few weeks.
Get well soon, Naveed.
We arrived at SWG3 just after 18.30. Doors opened at 18.00, there was a 22.00 curfew, something to do with a late night disco. As with St. Luke’s on Thursday night, there were signs posted to outline tonight’s programme. Hector’s first time here, Howard assures me SWG3 has expanded, presumably due to a successful business plan. So how big an auditorium do they need for a disco? Actually I don’t care, a concert finishing early means an opperchancity to go for a Bier and discuss the evening rather than rush for last trains.
Lesoir
Lesoir are Dutch, they were already on stage as Howard and Hector entered the hangar-like hall. I knew nothing about Lesoir prior to this evening, (sorry) and accurate information remains difficult to find. Five musicians were present, a lady I take to be Maartje Meessen was just off centre stage standing at a Keyboard and singing, in English, of course. A second lady, Eleen Bartholomeus stood on my extreme left offering percussion and backing vocals. As I took in more so I spotted a second Keyboard, Eleen also offered Rythm Guitar. (I could have these names back to front as Maartje would eventually produce a Flute which is not attributed to either lady in the sources I have found. Close by Eleen stood the Bass player whose name I cannot establish. Ruben Heijnsbroek/Israel, again I am not certain which, was centre stage on Drums. This left Ingo Dassen on Guitar to my right. Lesoir are on tour to promote their album – Latitude – which was co-produced by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief) whom Hector saw and reviewed just two days ago. The World of Progressive Rock has close links.
I watched Lesoir with great interest. The Flute passages added colour, the compositions were all song-form, quite rigid in structure. The Guitarist always had his moment, all the musicians appeared to be playing from the same page – of music. 
Alas, I had to question the aim of the compositions. Each piece stopped predictably after the Guitar break, why? I wondered what they were trying to achieve, song-form yes, they were perhaps trying something too clever for Hector. I didn’t get it – I said to Howard at the interval, I found a review of Latitude which pretty much says the same. Aurally what they played was pleasant, however, I didn’t rush to merchandising to purchase the CD.
Riverside
Neil made Hector aware of Riverside in 2009 on the release of Anno Domini High Definition, rather short in today’s terms for a studio album, but with a bonus live DVD. Anno Domini was played, enjoyed, and not much more thought about it until February 19th 2018 in Gdansk. Travelling solo on my way back from a Steven Wilson concert in Poznan I spent much of the evening in Lawendowa 8, which has become established as my favourite Bar over my two Gdansk visits. I sat at the Bar, Mein Host was most engaging. A variety of music was being played: – Riverside? – I enquired. I was told I was close – Lunatic Soul’s – Fractured (2017) – a side project by Mariusz Duda (Riverside). I had probably ordered the album before I got home, and thus my interest in Riverside was rekindled. The then current Riverside album – Love, Fear and the Time Machine (2015) – was purchased soon afterwards. This was the last album to feature Piotr Grudzinski on Guitar, he passed in 2016. Riverside carried on as a studio trio; 2018 saw the release of the album which was being toured this evening – Wasteland. The sourced setlist showed twelve of the sixteen compositions played this evening are on the three Riverside albums in my possession, familiarity was therefore anticipated, how wrong was Hector?
Riverside took to the stage moments after the advertised 20.35. During the changeover I had remarked to Howard – Just how high is that mike set up? Centre stage, this was for Mariusz Duda who as well as playing Bass, is the lead Vocalist. He must be a giant. To test the camera, there was an – Orville – moment when a mascot was placed at the corner of Michal Lapaj’s Keyboard array.
Acid Rain (Wasteland) kicked off the set. Six more songs from Wasteland would feature: Vale of Tears, Lament, Guardian Angel, The Struggle for Survival, with Wasteland concluding the main set, and River Down Below as the final encore. From – Love, Fear and the Time Machine – an instrumental version of – Saturate Me – plus Lost (Why Should I be Frightened By a Hat?). From Anno Domini – Egoist Hedonist and from the DVD – 02 Panic Room – which originally appeared on – Rapid Eye Movement (2007).
Prog Rock with a dose of Heavy Metal may best describe the music of Riverside. From the opening bars of Acid Rain I knew this was going to be a good gig. Maciej Meller, the tour Guitarist who had an uncanny resemblance to Mick Box (Uriah Heep), had one side of the stage to himself.
Maciej Meller was the original Guitarist in Quidam (Polska) who Hector saw perform their eponymous album at the Classic Rock Society (Rotherham) back in 1997. (What ever became of the charming Emila Derkowska?) Prog Rock has many inter-connections.
It was the mellow sounds on the – Lunatic Soul – album which won me over. Many of the Riverside studio tracks feature quiet, mellow passages also. There was nothing – mellow – about the performance tonight. Riverside were kicking ass. By the time they reached the instrumental – Saturate Me – they were truly rocking. Michal Lapaj’s base Keyboard sound was – Organ – which recreated the sounds of the seventies, I feel another Uriah Heep reference coming on, pre-Demons and Wizards. Michal smiled throughout the performance, he genuinely appeared to be enjoying himself. We did see him play with his Theremin once, oooh.
Mariusz Duda worked the Glasgow crowd, not that we took much motivating. He was determined that people would not stand placidly, staring into space, as is Hector’s wont. He also noted that SWG3 is in Glasgow’s – Riverside. Piotr Kozieradzki on Drums was hidden from Hector throughout much of the set, he appeared to know I was taking his photo.
This was apparently the largest Glasgow audience Riverside have played to, and the largest stage. I was already kicking myself for letting previous tours pass me by. No more, Hector is now truly into Riverside, they can – Play!
For the encore, Mariusz returned to Acoustic Guitar, cue a guest Bass player: now we are five. It was at this point the Band paid homage to the departed Piotr Grudzinski.
I was meant to recognise twelve pieces? Try three. Three songs had Mr. Gone (Weather Report, USA) – wo-wo-wo – type chants which the crowd latched onto. At the end of the gig, Riverside stood applauding us. This was a performance that deserves to be noted for all time – I was there, with Howard.
Under The Fragmented Sky, the sixth album by Lunatic Soul was released in 2018, Hector has more to purchase. The next challenge is to see Riverside perform in their Homeland.