Everyone must recognise some of the music from Jeff Wayne’s’ – The War Of The Worlds – but how many have heard it all the way through? Not Hector, but Marg certainly. In a chance meeting with Damian Wilson, and Kimberley, in Poznan earlier this year, the date of tonight’s performance was established, starring the Maestro himself as both Journalist and Narrator. That this was the day after our return from Hellas –Italia was serendipity. Indeed, yesterday at Glasgow Airport, we happenchanced upon them once more, hugs. Is Damian stalking me? Or is Hector becoming a Groupie?
Having not cooked for almost three weeks, today was no exception. We arrived at The Village “Curry House” (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) at 18.00, time enough for Curry-Heute before the show.
Hector had one Curry in mind: Desi Qorma – Lamb on-the-bone (£14.95), as ever, with Mushroom Rice (£3.95).
Adam, the manager, showed us to the same corner table at the window which we occupied for the Iftar-Ramadan Buffet, no view for Marg. Adam was the first to remark on the time that has past since our last visit. July, for Peri-Peri Chicken, done that. The menu shows an ever expanding Grill range, plus the recently conceived Village Tawa House Special (£49.95 / £89.95). A lot of food, for Hector, The Village is for Curry.
Lahori Kirahi – Lamb on-the-one (£14.95) was Marg’s choice this evening. Where did that come from? Furthermore, Marg declared that she was hungry, Nan Bread (£3.25) would accompany.
The waitress who brought the Sparkling Water (£3.95) took the Order. Desi style – for Hector, medium – for Marg. Marg added Desi Chai (£2.95) to complete the Order.
The line of window tables were occupied, plus some interior ones. Not a bad assembly at this time. Ramadan Buffet aside, Hector is rarely at The Village of an evening.
The Mushroom Rice, a modest portion in appearance, but one which matches Hector’s propensity to actually finish it, proved to be tasty in its own right. Pilau Rice, and Fresh Mushrooms, I did not see that the latter on my Mediterranean trip.
The Naan, needlessly quartered, looked a bit under-fired. The round shape suggests Tawa, not Tandoori. With minimal rising and few blisters, adequate.
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After our recent Trip, it was good to be back in the land of Hot Food.
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Lamb Desi Qorma
A primary Curry at The Village, the venue where the standard was set, decades ago. Last month’s Belgian Trip featured quite a few attempts, none matched this.
The aroma – I said to the waiter as he tried to differentiate between this and the Karahi. The Masala has become darker over the years. The ratio of Meat to Masala maintains, this is far from being a Soupy Curry. One has to manage the Masala.
Meat, lots of it, well into double figures. The Sucky Bones stood out beneath the Toppings of Ginger Strips and Coriander. Once arranged over the Mushroom Rice, a further moment of anticipation.
The Seasoning, tick, the richness of Flavour, tick, and the crucial sense of Citrus which marks a Desi Qorma, all accounted for. The Masala, eaten in conjunction with the Mushrooms, was the first major source of pleasure.
Bones were sucked. The Meat was melt in the mouth, top quality. Whilst one marvels at how much for so little, in Athena Curry Cafes, Scottish Lamb trumps all. The – kick – when biting into the Meat was startling at times. Chef had delivered, this was a Desi Qorma.
Furthermore, beneath all this, the distinctive Village Curry Flavour would appear at times. Two waitresses and one waiter would come over to ask the customary question. The answer, always positive. QED.
Lahori Kirahi – Lamb on-the-bone
There is also a – sharing portion – (£29.95) plus the option of the kilo (£49.95) at The Village. These I would love to see in their publicity videos on a certain social medium. Quite an investment. Being taken to this part of the menu did remind me of Tawa – Lamb (£14.95) which I have not had for years at this establishment.
An original VCH dish – taking one back to the days before expansion. Looks like I’ll be back here soon.
The appearance of the Karahi Gosht evoked the halcyon days of the once nearby Karahi Palace. Theirs, was why I have had rarely had this Curry at The Village. The Sucky Bone impressed. I was surprised when Marg pulled out a Black Cardamom, then a whole Dry Red Chilli, don’t usually see these in a Desi Karahi.
Towards the end, Marg thought she might be defeated by the quantity of Meat, instead, she abandoned the Naan. Marg:
First time I have ordered Lahori Kirahi – Lamb, on-the-bone. When it arrived it looked very appetising with minimal sauce and plenty of strips of ginger, in a rich red and brown sauce, full of coriander and chilli flakes. There was plenty of meat both on and off the bone, I decided to eat the meat on the bone first. Variety of sucky bones and I enjoyed the tender meat, which was practically falling off the bone. The spice level was perfect for me and I removed the black cardamom and smokey chilli, but savoured all the flavour which was in the dish. I used the Naan Bread to mop up the sauce, as well as pick up the succulent meat. A real feast. Overall, a wonderful dish. The Desi Chai came afterwards and completed the meal.
Indeed, Adam offered me Lassi whilst Marg was enjoying her Tea, declined. I explained my desire to maintain the taste of Curry on the palate for as long as possible. This was certainly achieved, the Citrus lingered long into the night.
The Bill
£46.95 Not that much short of the – Tawa for Two.
The Aftermath
It’s further to the Armadillo than I thought from The Village. A slow bus along Paisley Rd. West, then a brisk walk via the Squinty Bridge, had us arrive bang on 19.30. The show started at 20.00.
The War Of The Worlds
A chamber orchestra, stage right, a band stage left, and a screen onto which the progress of the Martians could be projected, were the fixtures. The – actors – who had minimal space to the front of the stage on which to perform, were on and off with almost comical regularity.
And so to the familiar Overture. However, it soon became apparent that unlike true Prog Rock, there was little progression in the music. The same theme would be played continuously. To return to a theme, fine, this was way too simplistic.
Was there a fluff after the Overture?
As for the story, I read the book by H.G. Wells after seeing the 1953 movie starring Gene Barry (Burke’s Law) on TV. Relocated to California, of course, the visual and audio effects were groundbreaking. Seeing it years later, by which time we had a colour TV, I have oft wondered why a remake was deemed necessary.
In The Sirens of Titan, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. outlines at the start, all that is going to happen, and not to the detriment of the story. H.G. Wells gives away the ending at the start of his novel, the first ever spoiler? No suspense then.
In the 1960s, I was often subjected to a particular long playing record – The Unforgettable Nat King Cole – with a commentary throughout by Alan Dell. Whilst I grew to appreciate the songs, the talking spoiled the album. Jump to the next decade and Rick Wakeman’s – Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, purchased on the day it was released. The narration, to me, makes the album almost unlistenable.
Add to that, some dubious vocals, and well, I do not play this album, ever. In Poznan I asked Damian if Rick Wakeman writes the vocal segments in keys that singers do not consider natural. With his strong connection to the Wakeman family, there was a politically correct answer.
Tonight, an eighty minute album, would there be an interval? Marg deduced yes, to sell drinks.
Damian launched into the first of the two songs I knew, thereafter his remit was pretty much narration. Forever Autumn, was also his. In fact, in the first half, songs were few. The story must progress.
The Martian Tripods, were a la cover of Jeff Wayne’s album. Simple, but repetitive animations. Whoever did the scene with the Cliffs of Dover lost all sense of scale.
The second half, did Damian actually have a singing part? Side3 – of a double album, often the weakest part, Physical Graffiti excepted. At last, a new tune, but wtf was this? For the second time this year, the Hector felt he was at a prayer meeting. Why did Jeff Wayne add this to the story? After all, everyone knows the ending.
The bacteriological ending duly arrived, followed by a second ending added by Wayne, with everyone off-stage.
Next week, The Time Machine, a much better story, and the Rod Taylor movie version (1960) did not need a remake either.
Outside the Armadillo, my third close encounter with Damian and Kimberley this year, more hugs. Quite a few locals knew him, impressive. After Damian Wilson leaves Arena at the end of this year, he will tour with his own band. Let’s have some early Landmarq, that is where I came in, way back in 1994.