Edwyn Collins

Photo courtesy of PJ Miller

(4/24/08: The Vinyl Villain has posted video from the Edinburgh gig here!!)

Over here, Edwyn Collins is most known for A Girl Like You, which is a modern rock classic. Well before that though he put out some great music with his band Orange Juice, including the absolutely irresistible Rip It Up. Many young bands today cite Orange Juice as an influence. Edwyn Collins has a truly unique voice- deep and nuanced, capable of conveying complex emotion and sly humor. There is really no one to compare him to. He had a career of great solo albums behind him, with the the sixth almost ready for release, when he suffered a stroke in 2005. He had to learn to walk, talk and play guitar all over again. You can read about his illness and hard-won recovery here.

He did a few live shows back in the fall. BBC had footage from one of the gigs up for a while and it was fantastic to see him performing. He sounded strong and radiated happiness and triumph. And now, starting tonight, he is touring- with his friend Roddy Frame (I may have mentioned him) again playing guitar in the band. I wanted to write about it because life is always throwing us curve balls. I'm thinking too of Keats, writing Hyperion as he nursed his dying brother, and going on to write even greater poetry in the wake of that loss. Our curve balls aren't usually on this scale but occasionally, they are. And we have to learn, we have to keep learning how to create in spite of them. With them. Rip it up and start again.

It's inspiring to see someone doing what he loves, especially when he has had to fight so hard to do it. I wish so much that I could attend one of the live shows and applaud him in person. Instead, I'll cheer him on from here and cross my fingers that some kind soul sneaks in a camera and posts some footage on one of the video sites. I'll be looking for it!

In the meantime, here is a gorgeous song from his latest album, and a recent quote from his MySpace blog:

"I'm going back on tour. It's amazing to me. What an adventure it is. I sense a real joy in my life. This is my reality. Hope and expectation. Onstage I sometimes feel overcome with emotion. The changes that have taken place in me affect me. But it's all grist to my mill. I will celebrate it, with my band. And my audience! Corny, but true.
Love Edwyn"

Love back to you, Edwyn!!! Thank you for a lifetime of great music!!!