Another winter weekend, another Greatest Scottish Albums poll on X, this time to determine our four semi finalists.And, as per the last few polls we have carried out, we ( and everyone else bar one person on X!) didn’t predict the four albums that would go through. Plenty therefore for our podcast panel to chew over, which they did, and then some. We also made the draw for the semi finals, discussed persuading the winning artist onto the last podcast, and gave the voters some advice on how best to maximise their own fav album’s chances when the polls kick off ( it involved fully utilising all family & friends to max effect, especially when they leave their phones unattended) All fair in love and war, sometimes…Enjoy and stay safe

Another weekend's voting on X ( last 16) - and yet nother cliffhanger vote, with the winner in the 98th minute! We talk about this and the other seven results on the chat. More importantly, we made the draw for the quarter final ties, and we reckon 3 out of 4 are coin tosses. We also had our first offer of bribery for a favourable draw ( in return for hot x buns). Tempting, very tempting....Enjoy & stay safe

Our ' World Cup' style knockout format proved very successful, so why change a winning formula!

Therefore, on this episode, as well as discussing the results of the last 32 album match ups (with one of the votes going to the last minute after 36 hours!) - also had a live draw, where our panel ( sans Rod again) did the honours.

8 outstanding ties, with at least 3 of them Ali v Frazier match ups....

Onwards and upwards

After 3 years of podcasting, we had another first on this episode - a live draw!. We didn't have a drunk Rod Stewart to do the draw ( maybe next time), however Caroline & Colin coped admirably. 32 artists. 32 albums. 16 match ups ( and one which is an absolute) belter. All in 15 minutes. Only a matter of time before Premier Sports start a Premier Music channel and give us top billing. Enjoy, and stay safe

This podcast was recorded after the Group stages of the polling were completed. In theory, we had the 32 albums albums we need to move onto the knockout stage. However....

Our podcast pals stated discussing whether there was merit in restricting any artist to a max of one album. Bearing in mind that there were nine artists in the 32 with two albums each ( and all belters too) - agreeing this would be a very controversial decision. On the upside, it would mean nine other fantastic albums get their chance in the final 32.

What decision did they take? Click the button to find out...

Enjoy & stay safe

PS. We also, for the first time, have a super cool intro/outro jingle, courtesy of our friend Stephen Peebles.( check out his band The Morning Early if you get the chance) Top man.

So...after 20 Voting Parties on X voting on around 150 albums, we now had a full list to discuss. Which, of course, we did.

And, coming out of our discussion, we have a list of 56 albums that will be voted on in the next stage using a ' World Cup' format - 52 that got over 50% in their respective polls, and 4 very unlucky losers who we felt deserved to be in the mix.

We also for the first time, did a live ' adopt and album' draw ( that would have went better if the host could match up the numbers properly) - and had a proposal to create a mascot for our podcast/music page etc.

30 minutes that you will never get back, but hey, life's too short

Enjoy, and stay safe

We are 75% of the way through polling of the long list of nominations for our 40 Greatest Scottish Albums challenge. Therefore seemed a good time for a podcast check-in with the panel on progress to date.

They had a few moans and groans, but generally speaking it was a happy school. So happy in fact, that Colin McCredie was being VERY constructive with his go forward polling suggestions ( inc a World Cup proposal)

Its a 30 minute bundle of facts, fun and a wee bit of festivity

Enjoy & stay safe

For Episode 33 of Live Music & Me, our guest was the Scottish singer/songwriter Kirsten Adamson.

All of the chat on this one was 100% off the cuff, which made it feel even more natural than normal. Kirsten’s recollections took us across every conceivable genre you could think of from Nashville country to MOR/Heavy rock ( even Muse got a namecheck!)- and we also had a couple of nods towards Big Country which was rather nice.

There was also a first when the last gig/first gig answer had a direct overlap, AND Kirsten gave us a new gig category question to ask our future guests :-)

Because it was off the cuff, Kirsten wasn’t willing to commit to her fav live album without thinking it through a bit more, however am sure her post podcast recommendation will be worth the wait …

It’s been a great year for Kirsten, ( album feedback excellent and packed gig venues), and both are very well deserved.

Until next time - enjoy, and stay safe