Edinburgh's original open mic night

Impossible Songs

John Barclay in his own words

Describe your first OOTB

A hot and busy one-song covers night. Of course we didn’t realise it was covers only and very nervously performed “lullaby” (not a cover). The review was exceedingly kind to say the least, so we came back.

Who's the funniest person you've ever met?

A work colleague who despite being a confirmed “Blue Nose” and bigot had an endless stream of hilarious and ridiculous stories and lies that continually cracked me up. Oh, and Tommy Mac!

What was your worst musical experience?

As a roadie and temporary bass player I accidentally blew up a disco system in the Reid Hall, Forfar in 1974. I was chased out of the building.

Best song by us?

Yet to write it but it’s probably called “No I won’t share my Chinese carry-out with you ya bandit!”

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

“Get the title and first line right” from some countrified bloke on the Bob Harris show on Radio 2.

Consumer Question – recent favourites?

Best Book: Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything. Best Film: The Sponge Bob Movie. Best CD: Dave MacGruer’s CD or the Killers whatever it’s called.

How would your best review sum you up?

Twee Pish.

How would your worst reviewer sum you up?

Twee Pish.

Who do you fancy at OOTB?

That stuff they gave us during the Korean War has just kicked in – interesting… I do like the G’s black and white Danelectro.

Who would be in your fantasy band?

Four of me plus Ali. Might let Jimmy Page aboard for the odd solo though.

at OOTB

(July 2004)
John and Ali, other wise known as Impossible Songs, started proceedings tonight. Ali's breathy vocals needed a little more confidence I thought, or maybe a bit more power, for their first song. This was one I'd heard a few times before, I always remember the 'pa pa pa' sections and climbing chorus melody. The lines "how I hate to hate you now" and variations on the theme were apt for a song that seemed to be about the end of a relationship. "Dancing" was a new one to me though, gentler with some nice fingerstyle playing from John, letting the open strings ring out. It made me think of a music box dancer, about the right tempo and feel to it but with a darker middle section to keep things in balance, and Ali's voice fitted this one a lot better. Their final song, "Daddy", is another one I'd heard before, dedicated to Fathers for Justice, child support agencies etc. Nostalgic and reflective, there was no shame in the lines 'daddies work good, daddies work hard', 'daddy's there to clean the dirt', it sounded like a song you might sing to your kids. John joined in with some harmonies, a nice addition to this one; it'd be good to hear them in some of their other songs as well.

(December 2004)
The Waverley's own Richard and Linda Thompson, or Impossible Songs as they like to be dubbed, kicked off their set with the piece that identifies South Queensferry as Dundee's rival to be the city of three Js: "You can jam, jive or jelly roll". Quite an earthy number, with, as the lyrics suggest, a bit of a groove to it, it put the oft-underused vocals of the Impossible Granpaw (biologically- he's surely not auld enough!) right up front. dare I venture 'twas a Barclay Jams Harvest?! This was followed by a track called 'Rainy Friday', inspired by the view of ramshackle suburban life from their window, featuring single parents, council scheme fireworks, squalor and depravity. Having been round Impossible Towers, I see this is surely nonsense: the only trauma likely to be witnessed from the bay windows would probably result from someone turning the tiller too sharply on their dinghy, arguing over whether there was lime in the on-deck gin and tonic, or maybe the odd high-class suicide off the rail bridge. However you look at it, though, voyeurism is voyeurism, and this song was a very interesting bit of insight into John and Ali's daily lives.! (Please take the last few lines with the pinch of salt intended!!) Finally, Ali's lush voice took centre stage with one of my favourite IS tracks- there's doubt in the mind of the persona she dons, perusing "This boy has no chance with me.. Has he? Happy like a kamikaze". There are some nice, unusual changes in the verse, where the 'kamikaze' is clearly encountered: "in the East, that was the plan, speak the language in Japan". Gorgeous track.