The End Of The Year Blog

Having listened to an almost insurmountable amount of music this year both for the blog and to playlist for Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC, it would be very easy to just close the kennel's jukebox on 2015 without looking back and doing any kind of 'Best Of' as is the norm for your day-to-day music blogger. 

However this year has seen some wonderful contributions to the musical soundscape that is Ralph's Life, and as Ralph's no day-to-day muso, here's a but few more than honourable mentions. 

One highlight in Ralph's Life this year was the release of SAMA nominated The Ballads Of Peckham Rye by Blue Rose Code. With this album Ross Wilson has signed his name firmly on the musical songwriting firmament with this almost painfully introverted lyrically, and yet musically delightful insight into the man himself.

The oncoming year will see great things from this truly gifted young man both in further releases and live performances, I can hardly wait!

It's been a year for introverted delights and another notable mention was the release of the single, Black Tie by Glasgow band Nieves is a wonderfully honest, seemingly introverted and extremely emotional piece which explores the turmoil within a family who are faced with making the decision to turn off a loved ones life support machine.

The narrative comes from the perspective of the oldest son, who finds himself unable to cope with the lingering doubt in the aftermath of the choice he has made.

The year couldn't end without mentioning another supremely talented singer/songwriter David Logan who goes under the nom de plume of Officer. Mid 2015 saw the release of his album Myriads. It's a complex collection of songs that traps your heart and mind with thoughtful lyrics and comforting melodies.

Having him perform live at an event I organised in July was one of the highlights of this year and I feel more than privileged to now count this gifted young man as a friend. He's as skilful in his manipulation of a live audience as he is in putting pen to paper.

So there you briefly have it, a snippet of Ralph's musical life that will remain forever etched on the vinyl that is my heart. Following on there are videos from some other notable mentions by ladies that have helped make this year special.

Don't be upset if you're not included...it's been a long year and there's only so much time left before New Years Eve!

Happy New Year everyone...see you in 2016!






Fiona Soe Paing 

The Phantom Sound

Millie Manders

The Dogs - An Edinburgh restaurant

It's often been said that Ralph's going to the dogs, but in the case of the eponymous Edinburgh restaurant The Dogs (named after supremo David Ramsden's canine amigos Biz and Fez) in Hanover Street, that's exactly the case.

Though he may not know it, the dapper Mr Ramsden has long been a favourite restaurateur of Ralph's old man from when David was maître d' in Leith's Malmaison (and I quote - "the best service I've received in any eaterie anywhere in the world") and then onward throughout what was an illustrious, sometimes troubled but always unforgettable fine-dining career which included the Michelin starred (Fitz)henry and Rouge.  

The Dogs however bucks that trend as David has eschewed fine dining to bring Edinburgh an affordable yet stylish dining experience. It received the accolade of being included in The Times Top 20 British gastro pubs alongside London luminaries The Gun and Anchor and Hope....and included in the MSN Food Top 12 restaurants in Scotland plus Jay Rainer's Top 10 in Edinburgh.

Chef Aitor bringing his Braised Rabbit to the pass