Remember Colin Scot?

Subject: Anyone else remember Colin Scot?
From: Lanfranc
Date: 14 Jul 00 - 06:16 PM

I discovered today from Derek Brimstone that Colin Scot died in Amsterdam some months ago. I don't think Colin had been back to the UK for a number of years, but I, for one, have fond memories of him back in the 60's and early 70's.

In recent years his reputation and notoriety were assured by Allan Taylor's song "Crazy Amsterdam" which describes visiting Scotty.

"Scotty, you're a terrible man, a rambling shambling Desperate Dan... "

Another for the Old Folkies Valhalla.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone else remember Colin Scot?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jul 00 - 11:34 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone else remember Colin Scot?
From: Lanfranc
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 06:39 PM

Not this weekend, apparently.

Sad.

"I'm thinking of you still, for the times we had were real. Maybe we could do it again in Crazy Amsterdam"

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone else remember Colin Scot?
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 10:43 PM

Alan, hopefully someone will come in here and talk about him. If you have any info would you please post it? Some of us are still learning who is who and, while I know a few songs of Allan Taylor's, I am not at all in the know about Colin Scot. Let's use the thread to teach and learn. I, for one, am interested....it's part of why I come to the Mudcat.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone else remember Colin Scot?
From: Kernow John
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 03:24 AM

Real sad to hear of Scotty's death.
I sadly hadn't seen or heard of him since the end of the sixties.
I am racking the old brain cells to think of the title of song he did that I really liked .... got it 'Continental Trailways Bus'.
Colin had a great voice and a driving guitar style. I will be in touch with Mike Chapman later and I'll pass on the sad news, he Brimstone and Colin were good mates.
Baz

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone else remember Colin Scot?
From: scouse
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 04:13 AM

I really thought that every one who remembered him had heard about Scotty dying. It's so sad to hear at the news at a later date. Years ago I had some hard nights with Scotty(60's). The last was with Hamish Imlach at Mulligans Irish Pub in Amsterdam,that must have been around 93/94. Hamish was booked to do a Folk Workshop,instead it ended up as a riotious Drinkin' bout with music and song thrown in for good measure.Oh,yes I remember him well.Many of the real characters on the folk scene have moved on to the "Session Upstairs", Alex Campbell,Derroll Adams,Danny Kyle,Hamish Imlach and Scotty.God,I'd like to be fly on the wall with that lot together.Let's keep their memory fresh in our minds.......

Subject: Colin Scott
From: GUEST,scouse
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 03:27 PM

I was sittin' and thinkin', Collin Scott or "Scotty" to those who new him well, made as far as I know two LP's.Does any of you Catters know what they were and what was one them and if they are still available.I met him a few times,last was with big Hamish Imlach in Amsterdam. (but that's entirley an other story!!!! Enough said.only to say it included copious amount of Beer and Vodka....)I would be happy for any help. Phil Jackson. (Scouse)

Subject: RE: Help: Colin Scott
From: GUEST,Kernow Jon
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:14 PM

There was a thread about Scottie a short while back, I'll see if I can refresh it.
KJ

Subject: RE: Help: Colin Scott
From: GUEST,Kernow Jon
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:28 PM

I see you already know about that one Scouse you started it. Got no info about Scotty's albums though.
It would be great to have copies if you ever find a source.
KJ

Subject: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 08:17 AM

I was playing old records the other day when I found a couple by Colin Scot (Thistlewaite) who, I understand, has gone to big Folk Club in the sky.
Colin burst into my life in the mid 70s and of a year or so arrived and departed, sleeping on floors etc. until he got his 'break'. I last saw him backstage at the Bournemouth Winter Gardens, where he was support to the Strawbs, in a cloud of aromatic smoke! Then he was gone. I later heard he had walked out on his contract and gone abroad.
I wonder if anyone can fill me in with any details.
Quite a character was Scotty!

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 10:33 AM

Never met him but I have one of his records. Seem to remember that he was a friend of Harvey Andrews but that was many years ago.
Ray

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,G-Force
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 10:37 AM

Allan Taylor wrote at least one song about him.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 01:58 PM

There are a couple of people here who knew him, so keep this thread up. I think Pat Cooksey may have been one of them, although I am not sure about that. I saw him gigging at The Last Waterhole in Amsterdam in the early eighties. He looked as though he had some rough living behind him. He was forceful on stage though.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 11:23 AM

Thanks for the info.
Is there any more news out there

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 01:42 PM

I'm pretty sure he is still around. I'm sure we talked about a booking a couple or so years ago.
Andy

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 01:45 PM

Ahh, grey cells aren't what they used to be!! As I pressed the submit, a light came on that said "No you fool that was Pete Quinn".
Colin Scott was a 'hey Sandy' kind of performer, very powerful voice and personalityt.

Sorry about the mis-steer.

Andy

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 05:28 PM

Nope

Sal

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: scouse
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 06:54 PM

Scotty died over here in Amsterdam quite a few years back now. Knew him Londen years ago and last met him in Amsterdam around '93 or 4. When Big Hamish did a Gig in Mulligan's Bar. Grand night!!! Terrible man for the "Gargle." he was but a great performer. Oh, that night.... I was the last to leave... Nuff said.
As Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 05:28 AM

Fond memories of 'Scotty', he could get an audience joining in, like nobody else I ever met.
His repertoire was eclectic, and a lot of what he sang wasn't exactly what you might call folk music. He was a force of nature, and a great entertainer.
I'm sorry he's shuffled off this mortal coil, but in a way, not surprised. he lived life hard, and to the full.
Alan Taylor's song 'Scotty', calls him "A sort of rambling gambling Desperate Dan" That says it all for me.

John 'G'

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 06:05 AM

I have little information about him other than that I remember him much as John 'G' does.

Would see him regularly at the Troubador in London on Saturday nights, probably John would have been there as well. For some reason I recall a parody of the Doris Day song "Secret Love" being sung by him.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 10:51 AM

Come to think of it, didn't Harvey Andrews sing about Scotty and others in his song Troubadours on Friends of Mine. I Must try to find that album in the loft. Is Harvey still singing? I am so out of touch.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,harvey andrews
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 08:32 PM

Yes I am! (www.harveyandrews.com)

The lines were;
Scot's writing poetry
John's singing balladry
Alan's in the USA

Can you identify others I mention in the song? Seems a long time ago now.

Rab's on the bus again
Ralph's on a street of pain
David's on his forest mile
People down by the sea
Sing songs by Jeremy
So sad they raise a smile
Rosie writes lullabies....

So please if we sing a song
ask you to sing along
Don't be afraid to try
There's joy and there's sorrow
There's hope for tomorrow
So we'll see you by and by
If we leave a memory
That's all we hope to be
Helping you through your day
Living on your applause
We are the troubadours
Travelling along our way

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Effsee
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 11:02 PM

Ah, come on Harvey, there's more to it than that!

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 06:24 AM

Glad to hear you are still performing Harvey. It's a long time since I saw you live, so to speak.I've found the old record and forgotten how good it is. Ofcourse Scotty recorded 'Hey Sandy'
Thanks for letting me know
Warwick

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,woody woodhouse
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 04:22 PM

I did post a thread on here the other day, don't see it but I'm capable of goofing up anything like this so here goes again.

I first met Colin in the late 50's when he moved to Canada from UK. He hated the nickname "limey" so I called him Sotty. Seems like it stuck. We were best buds in high school (Sir Adam Beck in London, Ontario, Canada) and pretty much were linked at the hips. At that time he was into "Skiffle" or "Skiddle" music and had a wash tub with strings and a wash board that he would play with thimbles. Even then he made quite a scene when he entered a room.

I lost track in the late 50s and early 60s when I moved to California, US. Didn 't catch up until the other day when a former class made turned me on to his Amsterdam time.

Not surprised that he was a scene, also not surprised that he took the walk before the rest of us. Never one to play second fiddle, he wanted to be first at everything.

Anyone that wants to drop me a line please do. I've lots of good memories of his teen tears and will share.

Woody Woodhouse
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: folkypaul
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 04:54 PM

Rab - Noakes
Ralph - McTell
David - ?
Jeremy - Taylor
Rosie - Hardiman

How am I doing?

PaulO

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 05:21 PM

Last time I saw Colin Scott was when they tried to revive the Folk Club at The White Bear in Hounslow - Late '73 I think

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Betsy at Work
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 04:08 AM

Hiya Paul ,
Same as you , got all the others but David drew a blank.
Davey Graham, Swarbrick - must be some more Davids , but I didn't understand the reference to forest mile .Perhaps someone will let us know.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 04:55 AM

David Campbell?

The singer songwriter one from that period, not the more recent Islington Folk Club one

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 05:57 AM

That's who I thought of too Kevin, he was current in and around London in the days Harvey wrote the song.

JM

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 09:16 AM

Being from Guyana may indicate the forest connection as well.

I may not have thought of David Campbell myself, John, if there hadn't been a recent thread on him.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: folkypaul
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 09:27 AM

There's a namme that's just appeared on another thread that might fit.

Dave - Goulder

How you doing Betsy?

PaulO

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Anna
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 12:16 PM

Nice to read these things about Scotty, he was a good friend from my father, he was a kind of uncle for me.Very nice memories about him an Lesley (his wife)!

Anna from Holland, 34 years old

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Geo
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 11:56 AM

During my student years (around 1975) I saw Scotty perform a lot in the Amsterdam club Folk Fairport. He always played there on Thursday nights. Wonderful songs, great fun, lots of candle light atmosphere. He made us laugh a lot with his jokes and imitations (Dylan/Cash!). A great composer, entertainer and singer.

Once he joined us at our table and talked about his years of 'fame'. He escaped from it to go and do it in his own way.

He was really a great person!

Geo
(from Amsterdam)

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Lanfranc
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 07:18 PM

I first booked Scotty sometime around 1966 when I was a resident at a Folk Club in Clacton, Essex. When I moved up to London in 1968, he was a fixture on the Troubadour/Les Cousins circuit and I got to know him quite well. We shared several songs in our repertoires, and he once embargoed me (in a friendly way) from singing Harvey's "Hey Sandy" until his album came out, although I recall that I had learned it first! This probably arose because at that first gig in Clacton, I sang my usual three-song intro set including "Four Strong Winds" and a Dylan song. While the next singer was performing, I was buttonholed by David Bilk, Scotty's agent who was with him at the gig, and chastised for singing half of Scotty's first set! I had never heard Scotty at that stage, and told him so, but I don't think he believed me.

Anyway, as neither of us wrote much, if anything, in the way of our own songs, we continued to mine the same sources for material. When we played at the same gigs, I would often check to ensure that there wouldn't be any sources of embarrassment. Perhaps that's why people took to writing their own songs!

When he left the UK (pursued, I understood, by the Inland Revenue), he kept in touch with a number of his old friends, including Allan Taylor and Derek Brimstone, who would visit him in Amsterdam.

I have fond memories of him, and I know several ladies of a certain age who have even fonder recollections! He was a good singer and a better entertainer, and I remember his Donald Duck impression (allegedly from his time working in Disneyland) and the "Secret Love" parody alluded to above:

"Once I had a secret love
She wore a nylon negligee.
When our night of love was through
She said I wouldn't have to pay.
When I asked her why this should be,
She said 'Sealy bedding sponsors me,
Last night we were on channel three'
And my secret love's no secret any more!"

Which I still use from time to time, substituting "Dunlopillo" for "Sealy bedding", but attributing it to Scotty.

For further information, just Google "Colin Scot", there's a surprising amount there, including the reissue of his first album on CD for around £40! I have the original vinyl in good condition - I wonder how much that would be worth? The next time "antiques Roadshow" are passing, perhaps .....?

Happy days!

Alan

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,ray
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 03:49 PM

remember fondly as a fan seeing colin and harvey many times at midland folk clubs.Sandy was my favotite song for a long time.also liked "do the dance davie" and he did a superb rendering of carolina. at least ive still got his LP,s

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Fifi
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 09:53 AM

I knew Scotty very well in the 70's and his then other half Jo, mother of Edward and Charlie. They were all living in Kensington then. Scotty was a great singer and played some of the best 12-striong guitar anyone would ever have heard. I think Amersterdam was his undoing......I left the UK in the early 70's and when I came back around 76 I went to see Scottie who was getting very heavily into certain substances. Very sad. A talent never really fulfilled.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Guest, Jan
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 02:52 PM

I met Scotty a couple of times in 1970, when he was living in Kensington with Jo & children. I was palling around with Davy Johnstone & Noel Murphy (Murph & Shaggis/Draught Porridge) & they were all in the same circle.

He was a sweet man & they were a lovely family; I am very sad to hear that he's died.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Old Green Bell
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 04:26 PM

Ah, Scottie. Funnily enough I was just putting together a show featuring "Lovers Carousel" by him & "Crazy Amsterdam" from Alan Taylor, partly inspired by the death of John Martyn, another lover of the cup that cheers. Scottie never wrote much, but some of it was great & I parody his "Missing Mr. Marley" sometimes.

We knew him & Leslie well in the seventies & eighties before we moved to the states in '86. I'd book him when he toured & they'd stay for a few days of fun and amnesia. He always filled the place, everyone left happily, but then it would all begin again....

Somehow he managed to exude love and good will more than anyone I've known, and in Leslie he had the perfect soul mate. I'm pleased they found each other, we stayed with them in Amsterdam a few times and he seemed to have found a great life there with the respect that he deserved. I don't know why he never really made it, I suspect because he had an in-built BS meter and didn't handle being told what to do well.

I'll always miss him and the big hugs, stories of Disneyland, "just one drink more" and love, rarely heard him say bad of anyone.

Thanks for thinking of him

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,harvey andrews
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 09:27 PM

The missing one from Paul's list was David Campbell.
Great memories everyone!

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 09 - 06:09 PM

Why not release his second album "Just Another Clown" on CD??

Hugh

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 28 Feb 09 - 10:35 PM

So, does the name "Chris Palmer" belong in this mix for any of you?

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 06:13 AM

Clive Palmer possibly Jim. The man who, every time he left a band, it became famous.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 03:03 AM

Played a gig with Chris Palmer, Jock. Said he was with the Strawbs.
A harmonica player with British dental work.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 03:31 AM

OK, then I don't know him.
I am however, old enough to remember the original Strawbs. In those days they were called the Strawberry Hill Boys, and the were trainee teachers at a college called St Mary's in Strawberry Hill Twickenham.
They played a lot of banjo stuff in those days as I remember,

John 'G'

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: Mick Tems
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 04:28 AM

I have an old album of Colin's - "Mister Blue" was one of my favourites.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Ayd
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 03:23 AM

Saw him a number of times at the Scarborough Penthouse club during the early 70's. Always a good night out. I'm another one still with his three albums on vinyl but not yet organised enough to get anything to play them on.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,S
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 06:18 PM

Yes I do fondly remember Colin Scott for two reasons.

1. My brother took me to see Colin perform in Derby or Lichfield (not sure now) back in the mid 80's when I was about 16 years old. Was a fantastic performance. From then on repeatdly played some taped recordings for years until the re release of one of his albums onto CD - playing this right now.

2. My late cousin was very much a fan of Scotty and very sadly passed away following a long term illness. The song 'Edward Charley and me' was played at my cousin's funeral. It still stirs the emotions whenever I hear that track.

Would love to see Scotty's other albums released on CD. Anyone any idea if that's likely to happen?

RIP dear David, RIP Scotty

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,mokumhammer
Date: 14 May 09 - 04:39 PM

I went to Colins funeral - here in Amsterdam. Top man. R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Remember Colin Scot?
From: GUEST,Fleggy
Date: 15 May 09 - 02:52 PM

not much to add, just that I remember Scotty from the Troubadour; he was a great entertainer and instantly likeable, sorry to hear he is gone.