CD Review: Colin Scot
Published August 09, 2006
The same team are reunited for what was the original album’s closing track, "Here We Are In Progress", with its coda of swirling of multi-tracked Fripp solos abruptly cauterized for dramatic effect. Between these powerful bookends (both written by Martin Hall), is a show-reel of songs designed to demonstrate Scot’s potential over a variety of styles.
"Nite People", the strongest of Scot’s compositions here, is a beguiling melody punctuated by the rumbling thunder of Guy Evans’ tom-tom work that will be familiar to VdGG fans, as well as some cutting jabs from Fripp’s guitar.
"Lead Us", written by Bonzo Dog Neil Innes, sees Scot and company going for The Band territory, and on which he’s joined by a swelling lighters-held-aloft chorus of backing singers that number Peters Hammill and Gabriel and Yes’ Jon Anderson amongst the ranks.
If there is a problem with the album it is producer John Anthony’s desire to cover all the bases by including some hoped for cross-over commerciality. In doing so the overall integrity, and to a certain extent, Scot’s identity is undermined.
"Baby In My Lady", with schmaltzy strings and insipid lyrics wouldn’t sound of place on The Many Shades of Val Doonican. Similarly "Hey! Sandy", (Harvey Andrews’ noble but corny tribute to the fallen of Kent State, - CSNY did it much better with "Ohio") Scot has Jon Anderson supporting him but even this can’t stop fingers itching toward the skip button.
Alcohol dependency and a lack of original material meant Scot quickly became a marginal figure a fact underlined by his decision to quit the UK to make a living in Europe where he resided until his untimely death.
Though falling quite a way short of being hailed as any kind of long lost classic, whilst other lesser artists have been rehabilitated, recycled and revived, Colin Scot does deserve a warm welcome after all this time out in the cold.
- CD Review: Colin Scot
- Published: August 09, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Folk, Music: Progressive Rock
- Writer: Sid Smith
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How nice to hear of Colin Scot. I still have in mind numerous occasions when I listened to his Just Another Clown album
that brought me so much joy.
As far as I am concerned that album should already be on CD format. It is truly a forgotten gem.
sincerly from Québec
Normand Achim
Scottie was a larger than life folkie of the 1970's era and I well remember him packing out the Long Lounge at Exeter Uni Folk Club ( with Phil Beer a floor singer in those days ),seeing him in the room above the bar at The Friary in Plymouth or supporting the Strawbs in Torquay's Palace Theatre.Variously supported by Little Joe and Mox Gowland ( now in Paris )his live act would be both blistering and sensitive.Titanic loves on Analine and the beauty of Do the Dance Now Davey - does any one know where Martin Hall has gone to ? And his agent Peter Rice ? And who does a better version of Dave Cousin's The Man Who Called Himself Jesus ? Scottie and his 12 string Gibson guitar are paid a handsome tribute by his long time friend ,Allan Taylor, in his poem set to music by Allan's son Barnaby plus Alan's song Crazy in Amsterdam. [Personal contact info deleted]
Normand Achim is spot on - Just Another Clown should be on CD by now. And Out Of The Blue. I still have the vinyl but, for the moment, nothing to play it on. My Colin Scot memories are as Joe Whittaker's but from his sets at Scarborough Penthouse in the early Seventes. Sadly missed.
I was so sad to see mention of Scot's death, but so happy to see him properly remembered and admired. I am a musician and played the piano with Scot on banjo & guitar at Coke Corner in Disneyland, Anaheim, for many years. I'm looking forward to finding out much more about his life & music, as we lost contact after he went to Europe & the UK.
I'm still trying to get a CD of Just another clown. I t was a big part of my student life and I was beginning to think it was a figment of my imagination
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It's a pretty fair review except for your questioning the inclusion of two songs -Baby in my lady and Hey Sandy. If you were around at the time you would know that without any doubt these two were the most requested and best received songs. With Scot alone with his 12 string Biml is beautiful and hey sandy had more energy than most contempory rock bands could have mustered.