Instantly reminiscent of the sound that made Stealers Wheel such a success. It’s worth starting with the lively, attention grabbing opening track, Slippin’ Away. ![]() The second is comprised of songs he’s collected for interpretation (Rab abhors the term ‘cover versions’) and a few to commemorate lost friends. In a general, but far from arbitrary, division of resources the first CD contains mostly Rab’s own songs, which he lovingly refers to as 21st Century skiffle. Rab’s also gearing up for a series of live dates, which began with an appearance at Roddy Hart’s 70th-birthday tribute to Neil Young, at Aberdeen’s True North Festival in September. Happily he’s now on the mend and the album is ready for release, set for 16th October. Last February, Rab was diagnosed with tonsillar cancer and has since been undergoing, and recovering from, some extensive treatment. Unfortunately, that release was delayed due to illness. Early 2015 saw Rab preparing for the release of this eagerly anticipated double CD – I’m Walkin’ Here. All supported, of course, by a string of live appearances. Recent successes include a re-issue of his 1974 album Red Pump Special, the Reunited EP with Barbara Dickson and Demos And Rarities Volume 2 – Adventures with Gerry Rafferty. Having reached his 68th birthday back in May you might expect Rab to begin taking things easy for a while, but he’s showing no signs of that. More than 40 years and 20 albums later, Rab remains a prolific songwriter, a hugely popular performer and one of the leading lights of the Scottish music and broadcasting industries. He’d already been playing professionally for three years, had songs recorded by Archie Fisher and Barbara Dickson and, along with Gerry Rafferty, was a founder member of Stealers Wheel in 1972. A memorable night.Rab Noakes released his first solo album in 1970. It was clear he had put a great deal of consideration into the song choices for his concert. Noakes is unassuming, genuine and a keen observer of life. Rab always enjoys looking back and treated us to special songs of the past – he sang an emotional final song ‘Tennessee Waltz’ – which had the Fruitmarket audience on its feet. He also spoke of writing songs with her and sang ‘O Me O My (O Fly Away)’. He thanked his wife Steph for her help during his cancer treatment and, along with Kathleen, he sang an emotional ‘Just One Look’ and ‘I Always Will’. He wrote his song about the treatment of asylum seekers being lined up for farm work with his ‘The Handwash Feein Mairket.’ He took part in the project ‘Scotland Sings – Hands up for Trad’, when he re-engaged with the Scots song tradition working with Kathleen Innes. He said it was important to let the song tell the tale when he sang ‘A Voice Over my Shoulder’. He spoke of his travels in the deep American south – starting at New Orleans and on up to Alabama, with the civil rights on one hand and music on the other. He sang songs of traveling, long gone folk with ‘Jackson Greyhound’, of the maturity of experience, lessons learned and hard fought for acceptance. This 70/50 show was a double celebration for Rab as he will be 70 this year and has now been performing for 50 years. It was a mash up of Dylan’s ‘Pity the Poor Immigrant’ and the Scottish song ‘Tramps and Hawkers’.įor his second set Rab started with ‘That Won’t Stop Me’ from his Treatment Tapes CD. A new stand out song was “a Scot’s song nod to Dylan and a Bob Dylan nod to Scot’s song” entitled ‘Tramp and Immigrants’. The ‘Twa Corbies’ was performed with Gaelic singer Kathleen Innes. In ‘Gently Does It’ he expertly played the melody on guitar as he spoke of being inspired by the acclaimed folk singer Alex Campbell a great performer with a gift for building up his set. Rab sang his trademark songs – ‘Together Forever’ (which was covered by the band Lindisfarne back in 1969), ‘Eden’s Flow’ and ‘Clear Day’ (a call and response song). I was impressed by these accomplished musicians. ![]() He introduced his band – Innes Watson (fiddle), Una MacGlone (double bass), Stuart Brown (drums), Una McImprov (guitar), Christine Hanson (cello), Lisbee Roo (Banjo), and Jill Jackson (vocals, guitar). The Fruitmarket was full of Noakes’ dedicated, appreciative and respectful fans. He kicked off the show with ‘Let The Show Begin’. ![]() Rab looked smart in a black and grey stripped suit. An evening of song and stories with Rab Noakes.
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