Obituary
At age 75, another legend from Fife, has passed away. He came up with the likes of Barbara Dickson, Billy Connelly and, Afterword hero, Gerry Rafferty back in the day.
Rab Noakes has died
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That’s a lovely cover. I’ve only just heard his cover of Dylan’s Mississippi which is also superb.
Jings, more sad news.
Sad indeed. He was still gigging earlier this year. Lots of tweets from all sorts of people about it – there was clearly a lot of affection for him.
I’m sorry to hear it. I knew him only slightly but I asked him only a couple of weeks ago if he would be relaxed about a 1971 BBC In Concert encore in which he was backed by Lindisfarne appearing on a Lindisfarne BBC box set with which I’m involved. ‘Of course,’ he said. And we moved on to other stuff, including our mutual pal Brooks Williams, with whom he’s done many gigs off and on for a while – some very recently. They had an album project underway. I’m sure Brooks will be upset on a personal level.
Speaking of Brooks, Rab mentored another friend of my tall chum, Scottish Americana singer Jill Jackson (ex- of pop-rock band Speedway). This from her FB, which hits the nail on the head:
There are no words for how heartbroken I feel right now. Rab was the most incredible man. A mentor to me at 16, he taught me everything I know. He was the most amazing friend and musical companion. I can’t believe I’ll never share a stage with him again. Never have tea with him again, never laugh with him again. Such a huge loss to the music world but music lives on. Rab’s music will always be in our home. His contribution to music, his knowledge of music, his contribution to the Musicians Union and the impact he has had on fellow musicians and friends… all irreplaceable. One in a million. With his hand in mine I said goodbye, kissed him on the head and told him how big I love him. My heart is shattered. He will be missed by many. There will never be anyone like him. “I hear them building a highway to take you home”
@fentonsteve
@retropath2
Jill Jackson introduced Rab to the music of Radiohead. He covered ‘High and Dry’. Bang em in bingham at the top of this thread shows an album called ‘Standing Up’. It is an album of 14 songs. 7 original and 7 covers. Off the top of my head, some covers of The Blue Nile, Michael Marra, Bob Dylan and Talking Heads. Everything solo with acoustic guitar, recorded live, mostly on the first take!
Thanks. I was aware of his Blue Nile cover but didn’t hear it until recently. My copy of Standing Up is already in the post, having heard When This Bloody War Is Over on a recent Andy Kershaw podcast. I do like a live in the studio album…
Another blinkin eck. We were support for Rab and Brooks in a local venue just last year. Echoing @fentonsteve, I had a good chat with him as a fellow union activist. He was sound as a pound.
He, of course, wrote Together Forever on Fog on the Tyne.
Some monumental jamming going on just the other side of the pearlies right now.
One of my favourite artists ever. I saw him more times than I saw anyone else. More than 10 times.
Ah, properly sad news.
I became aware of Rab through his Lindisfarne connection & although he had numerous strings to his bow, I always think of this song first when thinking of him.
A proper class act.
A really underrated talent. One of the best songs about drinking I’ve ever heard:
…and just before this thread disappears, his song ‘No More Time’ is about Afterword favourite Gerry Rafferty!
No words of tribute from Gerry?
Such dreadful news.
He played a huge part in the tributes to Michael Marra, Martyn Bennett and Gerry Rafferty. I hope someone organises a similar tribute to him
Perhaps Celtic Connections are organising this as we speak !