2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson

Subject: Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Johnny J
Date: 30 May 24 - 05:21 PM

Sad news.

One of Scotland’s finest traditional singers (Also a fine guitar player)
passed away this morning.

Rod Paterson’s influence and input to Scottish Traditional Music and Song is almost immeasurable.

Arguably, the best interpreter of Burns songs we ever had. Also known for his work in bands such as Chorda, Jock Tamson’s Bairns, The Bogie Brothers, The Easy Club, Ceolbeg and much more. Also other projects such as Fergusson’s Auld Reekie along with Billy Kay.

A Dundee “bairn” but resident in Edinburgh and surrounding area for as long as I can remember. Also, an all round “good guy” and always good for a blether and beer “back in the day” although I haven’t bumped into him for many years now.

Condolences to all family and friends.

Here’s one of my favourite songs from Rod with The Easy Club.

https://youtu.be/VTN3_Bjk2PI

Subject: RE: Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Nick Dow
Date: 30 May 24 - 06:18 PM

So sorry to hear this. I was on the same recording with Rod on Les Barker's Stones of Callanish. Mally and I still listen to The Easy Club.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 May 24 - 06:43 PM

I'm glad I got to meet him and see him perform on two of my three trips to Scotland. He was a very nice person and a wonderful singer. May he rest in peace.
-Joe-

Here's some of his music:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkK_ssMlonZlHNKBXLibEw

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Joe G
Date: 30 May 24 - 06:48 PM

Very sad news indeed

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: rich-joy
Date: 30 May 24 - 07:06 PM

Yes, sad indeed to lose this lovely Scottish singer; one of my favourite voices ....
Vale, Rod.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 31 May 24 - 04:24 AM

Another sad loss. Rod was one of the finest singers of Burns songs, as well as many more in his repertoire. I still have the tape of “Songs from the Bottom Drawer” - all Burns songs.
Saw him a good few times over the years, with Ceolbeg, The Easy Club, Jock Tamson’s Bairns, and just himself solo.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Johnny J
Date: 31 May 24 - 06:02 AM

Thanks for the memories, folks.

A slight correction to my first post.. It was actually "The BOGEY Brothers" as opposed to "Bogie".

I think they were a sort of in between band between JTB and The Easy Club and mainly featured Rod, Jack Evans, and Jim Sutherland. Apparently, some of the other JTB members were unable to give quite the same commitment as before due to family interests.

In the 1983 Edinburgh Folk Festival, there was a "Welcome Inns" project where it was agreed that Scottish and Newcastle would help to sponsor the festival in return for some free gigs in their pubs.It was quite lucrative for some of the local musicians, I'd imagine, as they were able to appear in various line ups and guises. So, we had The Bogey Brothers, Easy Club and(if I recall correctly) also a reincarnation of Chorda too. I'm not sure if "The Bairns" themselves played.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Sol
Date: 31 May 24 - 08:03 PM

Unsung hero. RIP, Rod.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Jun 24 - 03:08 PM

Rod was a fantastic solo singer but I never managed to hear him that way live. Did he not do it much?

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: GUEST,Johnny J
Date: 01 Jun 24 - 07:17 PM

More often in bands and other projects but he did do solo gigs too in folk clubs and the like from time to time.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Jun 24 - 07:56 PM

The last time I saw him performing live he was singing/playing solo in an Edinburgh Fringe gig, somewhere on Queen St. Excellent concert.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Jun 24 - 10:45 PM

Jim and Susie Malcolm do two Scotland tours a year, and I got the impression Rod Paterson performed for their tour groups regularly. I saw him on two of my three Malcolm tours. It was a treat to hear him, and he really seemed to enjoy performing for us.
Susie Malcolm is ultimately charming. If she asked, anybody would agree to perform for her. She even got Dick Gaughan to perform for us, and we heard Emily Smith and Malinky and Karine Polwart each twice - and we got Archie Fisher once.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Johnny J
Date: 02 Jun 24 - 05:21 AM

I recently saw the play "The Collie Shed" and was reminded of this song.

https://youtu.be/RfM5iC4SPFg

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 24 - 06:07 AM

As well as being a great singer of traditional songs, particularly ballads and being the finest interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, he wrote songs... not a great many of them but all of high quality. The pawky humour of "The Auld Toon Shuffle" perfectly captures the vivid contrasts of my birthplace -

"Auld Toon Shuffle"

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 24 - 10:15 AM

Guest as mwe - Vic Smith

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 03 Jun 24 - 04:37 AM

Yes, that’s the one in Johnny J’s original post. Very popular song: have heard a lot of other people sing it.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 03 Jun 24 - 10:23 AM

I was sorry to hear this news. He was well thought of as a singer and gave pleasure to many during his varied career. Thanks for putting up the links Joe. They give a measure of the man. RIP Rod.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: GUEST,Santaci
Date: 06 Jun 24 - 03:52 AM

RIP Rod and John Croall, the Bairns made some brilliant music. May you both never lack a celestial scone.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: GUEST,James Phillips
Date: 06 Jun 24 - 08:41 AM

Very sad news, The Bairns are one of my favorite Scottish bands and Rod had the best voice. Love his version of Banks and Braes

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 07 Jun 24 - 09:20 PM

Dave francis sang the Auld Toon Shuffle on Friday night at the YTSW 2024 at Drax - sold out by the way!

Subject: RE: 2024 Obituary: Rod Paterson
From: Mick Tems
Date: 14 Jun 24 - 06:40 AM

I saw Rod Paterson twice in Llantrisant Folk Club, in the wonderful Easy Club and the magical Jock Tamson's Bairns, and on TV in Transatlantic Sessions. Here's to a great singer and musician - and a thoroughly nice guy as well.