|
Subject: Obit: Robin Laing died From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar Date: 06 Dec 25 - 09:58 AM Just heard that Robin Laing has died suddenly. A superior Scots singer and songmaker, author and all-round good guy, chair of New Makars Trust, expert on songs about whisky. Made 'The Isle Of Eigg', 'The Union Canal' and many more. His entry in the Lanarkshire Songwriters webpage, where he was very active, tells more than I can. FROM LANARKSHIRE SONGWRITERS WEBSITE Robin Laing is a Scottish folk-singer and songwriter. Robin is originally from Edinburgh, and Edinburgh will always be his spiritual home. His affection for that city and indeed Scotland is evident in the subject matter of many of his songs. Robin now lives in the idyllic setting of rural Lanarkshire. Already he is sniffing out the local songs and finding possible subjects for composition. Until September 1996, Robin's musical activities were semi-professional and fitted into a life dominated by a busy professional career as Director of a major Scottish mental health charity. Still he managed to do a fair bit of touring and release two solo albums, "Edinburgh Skyline" (1989) and "Walking in Time" (1994). He was also involved in two CD projects - "The Music and Song of Edinburgh", and "The Merry Muses". In September 1996 Robin "downshifted" to a full-time career in music - something he had wanted to do for some time. Since becoming full-time professional Robin has created a one-man show on the subject of Scotch whisky called "The Angels' Share", has released another album (based on the show) and has toured extensively both in the UK and abroad. He has also been running traditional song classes in Lanarkshire and has become the Convener of a new organization, The New Makars Trust, which aims to promote songwriting in Scotland. The Angels' Share combined two of Robin's passions - folk song and whisky - a powerful combination! When not exploring the purely cultural aspects of whisky, Robin is sometimes to be found on the Tasting Panel of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. It's a difficult job, but someone has to do it! During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe he has joined forces with Jim Malcolm to do "Whisky, Women and Song" at the SMWS. In terms of folk music, Robin's real interest is in folk song and especially the old Scots Ballads, or "Muckle Sangs" as they are sometimes known. However, he also has a tremendous respect for the songs of Robert Burns, (not just the rude ones), and the tradition of Scots fiddle music that has come from people like William Marshall, Scott Skinner and the Gow family. Robin's instrument is the classical guitar and some of these fiddle tunes transfer quite well. In the folk tradition, Robin's influences are The Corries, Ewan McColl, Lizzie Higgins and Hamish Henderson, all for different reasons. He has many other influences; musically, from classical composers like Bach and Mahler, in poetry from Tennyson and in songwriting terms from Paul Simon and Stan Rogers, to name just a few. All of these influences find their way into the process that produces Robin's own song compositions. They have a variety of styles because of this, and tend to have their main strength in the lyrical side of the composition. The songs are constructed with care and attention and a great deal of selection along the way. |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: Tattie Bogle Date: 06 Dec 25 - 10:52 AM This is a huge shock and very sad news indeed. We had Robin as guest at our Folk Club only about 5 weeks ago, when he was on top form and looked very fit. Sincere condolences to his family. (And please, no more.....!) |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: MoorleyMan Date: 06 Dec 25 - 12:38 PM Oh no, another massive shock. We're losing too many of the real good guys. Sincere condolences to his family from moi aussi. |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 06 Dec 25 - 04:58 PM That's really sad to hear. I love his whisky related songs. And, oddly, just yesterday I was listening to I'm The Man That Slits The Turkeys' Throats At Christmas! Condolences to his family. |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: GUEST,Nicholas Date: 07 Dec 25 - 04:04 AM What a terrible loss. We saw him here in Zurich just one week ago and spoke to him briefly. He kindly remembered singing at my 60th on the Sentosa ship on lake Zurich 13 years ago. His German goodbye song „Denk and all die schönen Lieder“, performed at midnight, with all the lights out and just the full moon reflected on the water will remain in my memory for as long as I live. Thank you Robin. And sincere condolences to his family. |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: GUEST,gillymor Date: 07 Dec 25 - 09:01 AM I didn't know much about him until I read this thread, other than that he was a fine singer who seemed to like good whisky. Lochanside |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: GUEST,Tom Patterson Date: 07 Dec 25 - 12:24 PM Such sad news. He wrote some wonderful songs. A personal favourite of mine is "Lady Katharina". |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: Sol Date: 07 Dec 25 - 04:39 PM Sad news. Another major loss from the Scottish Folk fraternity. |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: Joe Offer Date: 07 Dec 25 - 06:31 PM Here's the YouTube channel for Robin Laing: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRQodhpsC1O-_-k7PMmoZug |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: GUEST,Nathan Tompkins Date: 07 Dec 25 - 07:19 PM Damn....I was just sharing The Man Who Slits The Turkey's Throats at Christmas with some one. |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: GUEST Date: 07 Dec 25 - 07:21 PM Really shocked to hear tonight of Robin Laing's very sad sudden passing. I knew him in the 70's in Arisaig, I was just starting out singing & playing guitar & he patiently taught me to play several traditional Scottish songs, which I still sing today. Condolences to his family. |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: Acorn4 Date: 08 Dec 25 - 04:15 AM Robin played at our Festival at Moira Furnace several times and had become a great friend and festival favourite. A great songwriter and performer who always got an amazing reception. Some great humorous material as well as the more serious songs. The previously mentioned "Walking in Time" is a great album with "When Two Hearts Combine" a particularly fine power ballad. Condolences to friends and family on behalf of the Festival Committee. |
|
Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Robin Laing From: Waddon Pete Date: 09 Dec 25 - 11:05 AM My path never crossed with Robin's but he was, as Acorn4 tells us, a great songwriter and performer. I'm sorry that I never had the opportunity to see and hear him. I am sending my condolences to all those who know and love him and have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread. RIP Robin. |
| Share Thread: |
