PEMGO

[andrew burnside]

News from Russia

(Deep background: Richard has been sent out to Russia by us to see what he can learn about the plucked music scene over there.)

So far he has been able to report on seeing snow and stunning blondes, but - however engaging these earlier reports - this evening he is beginning to repay the heavy outlay we have incurred in sending him across - that is, many weeks without his guitar or (more so) coffee.

Located at Pushchino University (south of Moscow), Richard is masquerading as a molecular biologist while ferreting out the secrets of Russian string playing. His local front organisation is called PEMGO (decode that, if you can!) and we have just received the first grainy images of his collaborators - now attached.

I have been given permission - in view of the tight security that surrounds the EMGO site - to reveal the identity of its members. From L to R:-

Alexander, Oleg, Andrei, Ivan, Rikkard (who he?)

Rikkard adds:-

"Spot Andrei's guitar, wee Russian seven string, tuning unlike anything I have ever encountered" [ well, that's saying something, Richard!], but he's a stunningly good player. Puts me to shame.."

Ah, well, ah, well, R, you'll soon be back in Auld Reekie, knocking the snow off your boots and playing with us lot!

PS Ivan seems to be an early participant in Movember!