2020 Obit: Tom Laurie

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: GUEST,Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 17 Jan 21 - 07:08 AM

A further piece from Hamish Moore

A further Obit

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: GUEST,Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 12:18 PM

Tom's Funeral

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 10:34 AM

I missed this thread back in December. Thanks Tattie for giving me a nudge. A sad loss to the folk world. My condolences to all those who love and miss him. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread. RIP

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 02:26 PM

Have just seen that Tom's funeral is tomorrow, 8th January, at 1.30.pm and will be a available to view online.
Login details are on the Facebook group - The Glasgow Ballad Workshop 2020, which is a public group, so should be accessible to anyone who is interested.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 28 Dec 20 - 08:02 AM

Tom is most correctly being praised as a singer, but he was also a fine organiser of folk matters in Glasgow - for example he set up a Trust whose proper name escapes me, and one year school classes were bussed into Scotland Street School Museum for a day of workshops. I ran one teaching children's songs. In the first one a small hand went up, and the girl said 'We sing songs like that'. That small collector inspired me to spend years collecting in schools, studying for an MSc on the topic and eventually a couple of books. Thanks to Tom and his very able organiser [her name also escapes memory, alas.]
I have a notion he was a prime mover when the Star Club moved to St Andrew's In The Square.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 Dec 20 - 05:36 AM

So sad to hear. I didn't know Tom personally though I was often in Babbity. On one occasion however I was privileged to hear his rendition of Annie McKelvie. His clear strong voice cut through the pub chatter. I knew the song but Tom's performance was outstanding. The world is the poorer for his death.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: GUEST,Gallus Moll
Date: 27 Dec 20 - 07:30 PM

Iain Ingram, composer of Annie McKelvie, says that Tom's bonnie singing of the song was the best version ever.
Tom's passing is a sad loss to the folk and wider arts scene. He had great vision, could see potential in many projects, venues - and had the expertise to enable them to happen. He always encouraged individuals, groups like TMSA. There's loads being posted about him on various facebook pages, perhaps they can be compiled into one amazing picture of the life, achievements and contributions of Tom Laurie?

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 27 Dec 20 - 11:25 AM

I didn't often go to any sessions in Glasgow, but Tom used to appear each year at "The Corner House" in Innerleithen during the Music Festival there every August: he delighted us with his beautiful singing and tales of the Glasgow scene. And yes, remember his renditions of "Caledonia" and "Annie McKelvie". RIP Tom.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Tom Laurie
From: GUEST,Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 27 Dec 20 - 09:38 AM

A sad loss indeed , his rendition of "Annie Mckelvie" was also an inspiration as was his work for "St Andrews in the Square"
I believe Joe met him on his visit there around 2004/5?

Subject: Obit: Tom Laurie
From: Megan L
Date: 27 Dec 20 - 08:24 AM

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 ...