Once again Montgomery Scott raises a glass to see out the old year and ring in the new and that means it’s time for Scots Whay Hae!’s annual selection of New Year’s Eve treats. It’s an alternative to the Hogmanay telly, so if there’s little you fancy on the box there might be something here to your liking.
Let's kick things off with some really alternative viewing. The Wicker Man celebrated 50 years since its release into UK cinemas as part of a double-bill with the equally excellent Don't Look Now. Critically overlooked initially, it's now righty regarded as not just one of the best horror movies of all time, but one of the best British films full stop (with one of the greatest soundtracks).
You can still read the SWH! review of The Wicker Man from back in 2010 here - You Have Been Watching…The Wicker Man - but over on BBC iPlayer and Sounds you can not only watch the full film (click here or on the image below to be taken there), but there were also documentaries, radio dramas, and a whole lot more for The Wicker Man completists. Sing with me, "And on that tree there was a limb, And on that limb there was a branch, etc..."
We lost the great John Byrne this year, a man who inspired so many of us in so many ways. You can read the SWH! tribute to Byrne here - John Byrne (1940 - 2023). Arguably his greatest achievement, the TV show Tutti Frutti, has unfortunately just dropped off BBC iPlayer (hopefully not for long). In the meantime, I thought it only appropriate to point you in the direction of this fantastic interview between John Byrne and fellow Glasgow School of Art alumni Peter Capaldi.
Scottish jazz continues to thrive and grow in quality and stature, and a band, and a man, who is trailblazing a path for others is Liam Shortall's corto. alto which features some of the best players and people in and around Scottish music today. Earlier in the year BBC Scotland's excellent music series TUNE showed just why.
As we leave 2023, one of the most eagerly awaited happenings in the new year will be Yorgos Lanthimos' screen adaptaion of Alasdair Gray's classic novel Poor Things, which stars Emma Stone as Bella Baxter. Early reviews are glowing, and I can't wait to see this on the big screen. Here's the trailer to whet appetites.
We also like to offer up our very own Hootenanny each year to see you through the Bells, and there were lots of great songs released in 2023 which happened to have great videos as well. Here's just a select few.
And if you're after more music then you'll find all the SWH! CamGlen Radio Shows here - The Scots Whay Hae! Show - and you can still catch up with our Best Of 2023 Podcasts - Music...
Huge thanks to all of our podcast and radio show guests this year, and to all those people who have read, liked, listened to, supported, and shared what we do. It's so appreciated, and we hope to offer more of the same, yet completely different, in 2024.
From everyone involved with Scots Whay Hae!, Happy New Year and we’ll see you on the other side… Ali x