Subject: RE: 2026 Obit: Enoch Kent (Toronto)
From:
Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 May 26 - 09:27 AM
https://ca.billboard.com/fyi/kate-hammett-vaughan-enoch-kent-obituaries
Transcribing the text in case the link isn't durable.
Enoch Kent, a Scottish-born, Canada-based folk singer who had a big impact on the folk scene in the U.K. and Canada, died on April 28. His age has not been reported.
The Electric Scotland website's bio notes that "Scotland-born and then Canada-based, this legendary interpreter and songsmith’s love of traditional music was first inspired by his family. His father played the concertina, and popular songs, Scottish songs and old-time favourites were often sung at home.
"After graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in sculpture and ceramics, Enoch Kent formed the traditional Scottish group, The Reivers, with Josh MacRae, Rena Swankie and Moyna Flanagan. The group researched the history, lyrics and music of Scottish folksongs which were published by The Scotsman. Scottish Television then signed the band to perform these old songs every week to a new and ever-widening audience.
"The band’s live shows and steadfast interest in promoting traditional music formed the foundation of the Scottish folk music revival that took place in the 1950s and 1960s. Later, when Enoch moved to London, he kept this music alive and well with his folk band The Exiles, with fellow Scotsmen Gordon MacCulloch and Bobby Campbell.
"Enoch Kent’s own songwriting craft was further developed through The Singers Club (a.k.a. “The Critics Group”) which he co-founded with internationally renowned folksingers, Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. Since immigrating to Canada in the '60s, Enoch performed in many folk clubs and festivals across the country to wide acclaim.
"During that time, he focused on live performance and decided to put recording aside for awhile. However, after a 36-year recording hiatus, at the age of 70, Kent well made up for lost time with his return to the studio and the release of two outstanding CDs on the Canadian indie label Second Avenue Records: ’I'm A Workin’ Chap (2002) and Love, Lust & Loathing (2003)."
Kent released two more albums on Second Avenue (all four at that imprint were produced by noted Toronto folk artist and producer Tim Harrison), then recorded for prestigious Canadian folk/roots label Borealis Records, who released the albums One More Round (2008) and Take A Trip With Me (2010). Well-received critically, they also earned wide airplay and tour offers across Canada, the United States and U.K.
Electric Scotland observes that "Enoch Kent's music is treasured by traditional music enthusiasts with a passion for story-songs, love & betrayal ballads, and gritty politics. While his songs are deeply rooted in the traditional Scottish style, much of his subject matter is Canadian, giving his music a unique cultural blend. His natural storytelling style is complemented by a ferocious wit and kitchen-range warmth."
A longtime accompanist and friend of Kent after the latter settled in Canada, Ian Bell noted on Facebook that "Enoch was an early architect of the folk revival in Scotland and the rest of the UK, but was a fixture in the Toronto folk scene from the early '70s on. He was one of my very best gurus."
Fellow Canadian folk artist Ian Robb shared stages with and befriended Kent. He gave this tribute to Billboard Canada: "Enoch Kent was a giant of my generation’s British folk revival, though I suspect many younger folkies on that side of the pond may not know his name. With that distinctive voice that any blues singer would be proud of, he could sing everything from a rant to a lullaby, but as a singer of the big story songs — the “muckle sangs” — he was unsurpassed, and an inspiration to all of us who try to master those songs.
"I miss his singing, his jokes, his company, and his wisdom. One of folk music’s great characters, and a dangerous man to drink with."
Another popular Scottish-Canadian folk singer, Bobby Watt, forwarded this tribute to Billboard Canada: "As well as being one of the finest interpreters of Scottish song, especially those by Robert Burns, Enoch was a fantastic writer of songs, the most famous of which is probably 'The Farm Auction.'
"He was also a great storyteller. One of my personal favourites was his recounting of a holiday back in Scotland after many years in Canada. He and his wife had taken off from his native Glasgow and headed up to the beautiful western Highlands and Islands by car. They arrived at a Bed and Breakfast on the Isle of Skye and checked in. It became obvious right away that the Lady of the House was quirky because there were little notes everywhere- Don't forget to turn your lights off when you go out! The heating in your room is controlled by the meter on the wall, change can be provided by The Proprietor! (At the front door). This door is locked every night at 10:30. Should I have to get out of my bed after that time to let returning guests in, a ten shilling surcharge will be added to the bill! Etc.
"Enoch pretty well understood all of the various instructions but one. He went to the desk and tapped the little bell to summon the landlady. Enoch says- 'Mrs McLeod, I understand most of your instructions apart from the one in the bathroom, where it says- 'Showers are free but a bath is two shilling extra'. Should we just count up the amount of baths we have and settle up at the end of our stay? 'The lady retorted firmly, 'Mr Kent, if you wish a to have bath, you will come to me and give me the two shillings, and I will give you the plug! 'He could spin that story out for twenty minutes easy!
"A joy to be around, to perform with, and to drink with. When we performed together at concerts, we would always argue about who was getting which of Burns' love songs to perform. This was a class of song that Enoch referred to as 'pantie droppers'. Different times indeed. I'll miss him."
Scott Merrifield paid tribute on Facebook: "Sad news. A major Scottish voice in the Canadian folk music community. I have been having a few drams, listening to some of his CDs and remembering a house concert he did here in this house a number of years."
Toronto's Acoustic Harvest folk concert series, on Facebook: "RIP Enoch Kent. He was a lovely. fine, man, a true gentleman, with a wry sense of humour, always a ‘twinkle in his eye’ and of course, a legendary singer who shaped the Trad music world here in Toronto."
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