2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter

Subject: Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 28 Dec 16 - 04:40 PM

On Xmas Day 2016 Ian Davison died. One of Scotland's most prolific and able songmakers in traditional style, Ian was captured for the Scottish Folk Revival by a 1957 lecture given in Partick Burgh Halls by Norman Buchan. Throughout the Revival he has been a well-respected, clever and melodic songwriter, a performer earlier with his own Folk Group and latterly solo, and a developer of the songmaking skills of others. He wrote and recorded on his own label several CDs of his political, comic, historical, love and other songs, including 'Mandela Danced in the Square', 'Going Home To Glasgow', 'The Muttonheid Wearies', 'We Only Have To Try', 'Wrap Me In Yer Airms'.
A few years ago Glasgow's Star Club devoted a tribute evening to his conferes singing his songs to him. Ian taught English in Glasgow schools and wrote shoals of fine songs, a tremendous friend and compatriot to have, cheerful and purposeful, dedicated and tireless. When he was Secretary of Scottish CND in the 1980s we met up again, and co-founded the SCND Buskers, racing to see who could first utilise which Scots traditional tunes for disposable protest songs for marches. More recently he performed as a duo with Carissa Bovill. My heart goes out to Karine and Liz.
Ian wrote about John MacLean, various fine lyrics about Middle east conflicts, support for 'Mordecai Venunu in the jail of Ashkenon', and many songs celebrating the language and life of Glasgow. One of Ian's titles that tells us who he was is 'There's Room For Us All In The Dance'.
Ewan McVicar

Subject: RE: Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 28 Dec 16 - 06:28 PM

Thanks for sharing this sad news Ewan
I knew Ian was declining but had not expected that we would lose him so soon.
What a loss of talent- - he wrote so many songs, it is difficult to chose a favourite- Mandela Danced in the Square is a particular favourite. I am so sad I'll not see him again in this life, but will hold dear the memories I have of him over the years.
Have you any word of his funeral?
A

Subject: RE: Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Dec 16 - 11:27 PM

Very sad news Ewan. I knew Ian from his many spots at the Star club and despite just being one of the crowd there, often shared an occasional word with him whenever we bumped into each other. I remember his kindness and generosity too. He once sang a song which I liked very much called "The Market" to the tune of the Cuckoo and I asked him about it. Two or three days later it arrived on a cassette which he'd recorded for me, with lyrics and encouragement to sing it. He had to chase down my address from a mutual friend to send it.

A fine and a principled man. RIP.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 04:43 AM

Just heard from Ian's partner Liz, asking that we hold off passing on word to anyone, as she has not yet been able to tell some close friends direct. Thanks.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 05:56 AM

Ian was a man we came across from time to time, but not for some years now. We met him at Girvan a few times, but think the last time was about ten years ago when he and Liz came down and stayed over for our annual 'Hooly in Glenrooly' in Galloway.
   He was a fine songwriter as well and wa a a lovely gentle man with no pretensions- he will be missed on the Scottish scene.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 10:38 AM

Apologies to Liz, I hadn't realised and already shared the info --- I'll let people know not to pass it on yet.
Ewan please let us know when it is OK to share, also what the arrangements are for Ian's funeral?
Thanks. A

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Johnny J
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 12:48 PM

Sad news.

He was a very decent man and composed lots of fine songs. Condolences to all.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,j
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 02:13 PM

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Johnio
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 02:26 PM

Ian was a man of many talents and qualities.He was a great guy with a huge song writing talent.A few years ago in a cabin in Dunoon my son James and i had the privilege to jam with him.The following day he destroyed us both at table tennis-he was one fit guy.God bless him

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Martin Stephen Jones
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 03:05 PM

Just heard this sad news. I knew Ian from my early days in the Scottish folk music scene. I always enjoyed hearing his songs especially When Mandela danced in the square. Saw him singing his songs many times. In 2009 I had the pleasure of interviewing him for my radio show at the time. He was a real inspiration to many as a songwriter. I remember he gave me a cd after I interviewed him. Thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 04:12 PM

I have now got the OK from Liz to pass on information.
Funeral will be on Thursday 5th in St Leo's, Beech Ave, Glasgow G41, followed by session at Café Source off Great Western Road.
However, Liz did not tell me the time! I'll pass it on herer when I know.
Ewan

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 05:07 PM

Funeral is at 10.00 Ewan, at St Leo the Great G41 5BY.

Burial is at Cumbernauld, perhaps 11.30/12.00? (Guessing)

I expect that people can go directly to Café Source,

Oops I just saw that it is a Great Western Road Cafe Source?
Now I need to check the address and correct my other postings- I had
assumed it was the one at SAITS....

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 05:31 PM

session at Café Source Too is

32 Hughenden Road G12 9XP - off Great Western Road

(beside Hillhead Sports Club)

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 06:47 PM

Thanks gal.
Ewan

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 06:52 PM

So sad. Such great talent in such a nice man. He shall be missed.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 07:06 PM

Adding my condolences: we were delighted to have Ian as a guest artist and songwriting workshop tutor at Linlithgow Folk Festival a while back, and he and Liz used to come to some of our sessions. So many good songs written!

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,MOTLF
Date: 30 Dec 16 - 05:04 AM

WAN AFF WUMMAN ,SWALLY FUR THE BEARS and TALKING DENTIST were just a few of my favourites from the lips of the master song writer. RIP

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Brian Peters
Date: 30 Dec 16 - 08:15 AM

I got chatting with Ian after one of my early gigs at the Star (at that time in the Press Club) and, and was another who was kindly given one of his cassettes of songs. Like 'Guest' above I enjoyed 'The Market' and his song about John McLean. 'Mordechai Vananu' was another good one. Very sorry to hear of his passing.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Dec 16 - 12:46 PM

I remember him saying, even complaining, as I was MCing a concert at Linlithgow, that BBC Radio Scotland only ever featured the one song, "Room fur us a' in the Dance". Great fun song, and my answer to that was that was the song that led me to find out more about him and explore more of his compositions. Archie Fisher regularly sings some of his songs too.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,R
Date: 30 Dec 16 - 04:59 PM

Ewan McVicar - you mention that several CD's of Ian's music are available through his own record label. Do you, or does anybody else, know where online or in the real world one can find these releases (or at least learn more about them)? Thanks.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 30 Dec 16 - 05:09 PM

Good Question, R. Don't have a good answer, will try to find out.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Dec 16 - 09:10 PM

As far as I remember, he used to do all his own marketing: I got my copies of his CDs by mail order direct from him. Have looked at a couple of other places in Scotland that do mail order CDs, but they don't have them. Will look out my copies and see if I can post track listings.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Dec 16 - 12:37 PM

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Dec 16 - 10:45 PM

Funeral in St Leo's, Beech Avenue Dumbreck at 10 am, followed by Burial at Eastfield Cemetery, just above Croy, followed by a music session in cafe Sorce 2, Hughebden.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Jan 17 - 12:10 PM

Reminder: that's Thursday 5th January, as stated higher up the thread.

I have found my CDs: they are: The Best of Ian Davison vol 1, which in fact comprises TWO discs, each with 15 tracks, copyrighted to Ian, and produced in 2001: some are re-mixes of earlier recordings going back from 1992 through the 90s up to the year 2000.
The other compilation is "The Best of Ian Davison Volume 2" - which consists of THREE discs with 17, 18 and 17 tracks each. So 82 songs in all, all of his own writing.
There is an impressive list of other musicians and engineers accompanying the discs but little other documentation. It seems it was his own label, Clydetracks, and the addresses shown on the 2 albums are his former home addresses.
I would think the only source now would be from his partner, Liz, but she probably has enough else to think about right now.
His former website does not seem to exist any more (hacked?) but you can still hear 4 of his songs on his myspace site, here: https://myspace.com/iandavisonsongs/music/songs

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,John S Swan
Date: 01 Jan 17 - 12:42 PM

Ian wrote a song about Carissa's dog called Molly who Ian was very fond of. "Don't get a dog who digs up the garden, Against excavation your heart has to harden "I know wee Molly well and Ian was bang on with his lyrics.He was truly a talented guy. God bless him.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,R
Date: 01 Jan 17 - 05:03 PM

Thanks everybody, particularly Ewan and Tattie B!

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Old School
Date: 01 Jan 17 - 06:08 PM

Deeper Gold and Can't Keep Still are my favourite love songs of all time. Inversnaid is also a personal favourite of mine.Such a great song writer. RIP

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Susanne (skw) sans cookie
Date: 01 Jan 17 - 08:44 PM

Sad news every time I look at Mudcat these days! Ian was a great songwriter and a lovely character. I only heard (and talked to) him live a couple of times but I'm lucky to have 'The Best of, Vol 1'. Think I got it from Pete and Heather Heywood (The Listening Post.

Rest in peace, Ian, and join the folk band above!

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 02 Jan 17 - 08:27 PM

Liz still has some of Ian's cds, mainly the most recent one.

Might be best to wait meantime, we can find out how best to obtain them later?

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Ron McPherson, Dunblane Folk Club
Date: 03 Jan 17 - 03:44 PM

So very sorry to hear of Ian's passing.
First met Ian and Liz at Lossiemouth Folk Festival some years ago.
For a few years thereafter both bacame regulars every week at our wee, informal folk club in Dunblane on a Sunday night - first at The Westlands Hotel and later at the Braeport Centre. Carissa also came along sometimes and also helped us out at the Dunblane Fling festival.

We have missed and and will continue to miss his company and performances, though some will continue to sing many of Ian's songs and make sure they and the memories stay with us.

Hope to see Liz and Carissa back at the club when they feel able.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Jocky
Date: 03 Jan 17 - 05:10 PM

Ian was a gentleman.He was a Prince of Peace and a Father of Folk.We will all miss you.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 05 Jan 17 - 08:09 AM

Not able to go the funeral, but playing the CDs in the car in memory.

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 05 Jan 17 - 09:43 AM

Another good one gone. My condolences to all those who know and love him. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Alexthemuso
Date: 11 Mar 17 - 09:31 AM

This was a shock to read this. Ian taught me the guitar way back in the 70's at Knightswood and I still sing some of his songs. We used to go to the Greyfriars folk club somewhere in Uddingston if I remember right. Fond memories

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 11 Mar 17 - 07:16 PM

Ian's partner has given me a few two of Ian's cds (The Best of Ian Davison and Can't Keep Still) which I will bring to Glasgow Ballad Workshop for anyone who wishes to purchase.
I think she may have a few copies of a third one still available --

Check The Glasgow Ballad Workshop facebook page to view each cd sleeve index - it is a closed group but I think you can look at it? If not - seek out the website and ask for an invitation to the facebook page!

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 11 Oct 17 - 06:28 PM

Nova Scotia Folk Club in The Fort Theatre, Bishopbriggs (Glasgow) is hosting an Ian Davison tribute on Wednesday 20th December.
The whole evening is dedicated to Ian's songs (he composed more than an evening's worth so there'll need to be further events to cover them all!)

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 11 Oct 17 - 07:33 PM

Sorry I will not be able to make that night, tho' would have loved to.
I see there are moves afoot to erect a statue of Nelson Mandela in the square in Glasgow that was re-named Mandela Square after Nelson's visit there. If this happens, then Ian's song "When Mandela danced in the Square" surely must be apart of any ceremony!

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 12 Oct 17 - 07:00 AM

absolutely agree Tattie!

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: Ian Davison, Glasgow Songwriter
From: GUEST,Abi
Date: 25 Nov 17 - 08:44 AM

I was a member of Rutherglen Academy's Ballads Club and I can thank him for teaching me my first guitar fingerstyles. However, my abiding memory of him took place in his English class. My mate was telling me that his dad had failed his driving test because he "made a balls of his three point turn." Without looking up, Mr Davison said quietly, "James, if your going to speak so loudly, you shouldn't use such vivid metaphors."