Edinburgh's original open mic night

Flowers For Algernon

Jim Igoe in his own words

Describe your first OOTB

That would be OOTB #1, then. It was good fun and a sociable occasion, as I think I knew everyone in the audience! All my favourites at the time were there - Norman Lamont, Freeloading Frank and Gordon Ballboy. Come to think of it, they're still pretty
much my favourites.

Who is the funniest person you ever met?

know this sound corny, but I think it's Nelson. His humour is totally absurd at times
and that's definitely his most redeeming feature. He does a great
Kenneth Williams, which I've not heard him do in some years.

What's the worst, nails-down-a-blackboard musical experience you've
had?

This was at OOTB recently when I played one of my own songs called
"Nat King". For a while I'd thought this song had merit but for some reason
had never fitted into a Flowers set, so I give it try it out solo. The
adolescent, puerile lyric and the chunky guitar riff went down like the most
leaden of lead balloons. When I came off the stage, to a deadening silence,
I realised that this song would never be aired again. It felt like this
mild, "upstanding" co-founder of OOTB had betrayed absolutely the unspoken,
but innate, dignity of every singer-songwriter that had ever lived.

What do you think is your best song and why?

I think it's "Optimism". I really enjoy playing the song, it's uplifting and I feel like each of my seven chakras are perfectly balanced when I sing it. There are a few good
new songs from The Flowers round the corner which may, however, overtake
"Optimism".

What's the best OOTB performance you've seen?

This is difficult, very difficult. I've seen so many great performances over the years at OOTB. Two spring to mind:
- the first was Riley Briggs and Ian Stoddart's debut. It was the end of
the night, I was exhausted - I was compere, soundperson and reviewer - and I
had no expectation that these two skinny, spotty guys would be anything
special. As soon as they got up there and started playing the opening bars
of "Jennifer" I suddenly felt like I'd had a massive dose of pro plus and
was totally awake and listening to one of the sweetest voices and melodies
I'd heard. The guitar playing and Ian's drumming were absolutely top-notch,
too. I'm glad to see that their band Aberfeldy is really going places.

- the second performance was Jess Bryant's debut. Nelson had told me about
her, so I guess I was expecting something special. However, to hear that
voice was utterly astonishing; it shook me to the very core of my being. I
felt like I'd been beamed up to another planet. I was compere that evening
and I was very close to tears and could barely speak after the performance.
It's Edinburgh's loss that we're losing Jess to London as she's absolutely
terrific. I've still to hear a great recording of her's but hopefully tha
will come one day.

What's the best piece of songwriting advice you've ever been given?

I'm waiting for the OOTB workshop!

Who do you fancy at OOTB?

There are so many pretty girls that have played OOTB, it's hard to say. I always thought that Sally of Ben & Sally was something special, both vocally and looks-wise. Great looking girls that play great music is definitely a winning combination at OOTB!

Nelson Wright in his own words

How would your worst critic sum you up?

Back in the days of Scatter! an enraged punter once roared from the back of the Subway, "That's the worst sh*te I've ever heard in all my life!". I think it's one of the finest compliments I've ever received.

What do you think is your best song and why?

For me, it's The Flowers' "New PC", as it's poppy, a bit funky, and has a lyric dealing with contemporary issues.

The consumer question: album, book or film you've enjoyed recently.

That would be "Sin City" by Frank Miller. A cracking film, makes me want to get the graphic novel!

Who would be in your fantasy band?

A bunch of semi-naked good-looking people that all found me horribly attractive. You did say fantasy?

Your favourite song(s) of all time ?

"Cafe" by Tim Buckley, it's weepingly beautiful. Or anything of his from "Blue Afternoon", "Lorca" or "Happy Sad". I also really like a reggae song sung by Susan Cadogan and produced by Lee Perry called "Do It Baby".

What's the best OOTB performance you've seen?

There's been so many great ones, truly awesome performances over the years, that I don't think I could pick out just one. There's been some performances I've seen that have had me on the verge of tears, and some I've just been grinning from ear to ear, and bashing the bongoes like a goddamn ape.

Who do you fancy at OOTB?

Everybody who comes down and gives it their best shot. I love you all!

at OOTB

(June 2003)
"We kind of run the show," said Jim, as he and Nelson took to the stage to get things started. That they do, but they are also Flowers for Algernon, purveyors of premium quality folk-pop. Limiting themselves to one song, as has been their habit of late, they gave us the 'Bedroom classic, "Braveheart Beggar". It is a song filled with the proud spirit of the eponymous Scottish underdog, looking from the gutter not to the stars, but to his people's history, and his place in a long tradition of Scots refusing to be downtrodden. Rousing stuff, as Jim's beautiful voice soars in the chorus, singing "I could be like William Wallace." Flowers for Algernon's long-awaited CD, which opens with this song, will be released in a couple of weeks time, no doubt in the midst of a furore to put Harry Potter to shame. Get your order in quick.

(September 2003)
First to take the stage were Flowers For Algernon, organisers Jim and Nelson's band. The pair began with a brand new song, "Weekend Woman". This showed FFA at their best, setting the pace nicely for the evening with Nelson's guitar providing a strong backing to Jim's vocals. Also featuring Jim on harmonica in an excellent break towards the end, this song was a worthy addition to the band's repertoire of catchy tunes. Flowers then went into an OOTB favourite, featured on the Waverley Nights CD - "Optimism". Apparently "originally written as a pisstake of Perry Como and others", "Optimism" was a fairly mellow rendition with Jim again on vocals and both on guitar. The last song was a personal favourite of mine, "Braveheart Beggar" - the title track of their excellent CD. This song is up-tempo with a quieter verse building to the expressive chorus "I could've been like William Wallace/I could've loved a mademoiselle". Resounding around the Waverley bar, this song always gets feet a'tappin' throughout the audience. An impressive and welcome three-song set from Flowers, since they usually only have time for a one song slot.