Saw this on the Lost Glasgow fb page
By Alan Stewart

Saddened to learn the other day of passing of Tom Laurie. My thoughts and best wishes to his family and loved ones.

Tom was of course well known in Glasgow and beyond for his work on conservation, heritage and support of performing arts. He was also familiar to many people for his legendary acapella singing at the folkie sessions in the Babbity Bowster on a Saturday afternoon.

My fondest memory of Tom is of the night I persuaded Benny Anderson (yes, Benny from ABBA) to come into the Babbity with his musicians after the gig with his Orchestre at the Old Fruitmarket. It was a dark, damp late autumn night. He came in with his troupe of and they joined in with local folkies in their session. So patrons were treated to a fine mix of Scottish and Scandinavian tunes played in front of the roaring fireplace.

As the night was drawing to a close Benny played his accordion and Helen the singer with his band, a diminutive young woman stood up on a chair to sing, in her beautiful, clear voice, The Way Old Friends Do (a lovely song which has a nice kinda Celtic feel to it).

When she finished singing everyone was cheered heartily then Tom stepped up to the plate with his rendition Caledonia.

His sweet dulcet tones, twinkling eyes, simple gestures with gracious handshakes and wistful smiles all helping to carry the song. People who knew Tom were never really surprised that when he invested so much emotion in a song he could make himself weep. However, by the time he finished singing, to uproarious applause, Benny was so moved by Tom’s performance that he was tearful too. Uplifting, hilarious and brilliant.

Tom Laurie has left the building.

?? If I should become a stranger ...