A Greentrax release from 35 years ago!
On October 6th 1990, Greentrax released a cassette and 7’’ vinyl of 2 of Robin Laing’s songs, ‘The Forth Bridge Song’ and ‘The Union Canal’.
One rather odd feature of the cassette is that the same 2 songs are on both sides. Apparently, this is ‘for the listener’s convenience’???
Robin’s song ‘The Forth Bridge Song’ was the winner of the ‘Forth Bridge Centenary Celebration Songwriting Competition 1990’ (they didn’t go in for succinct titles then) where the judges described the song as ‘poetic and capturing the full atmosphere and history of the world-famous railway bridge spanning the Firth of Forth’.
On the cassette recording Robin is accompanied by Jim Sutherland on synthesizer and percussion, Jack Evans plays whistle and guitar and Charlie McKerron on fiddle. Although this cassette recording is no longer available a later version can be heard on his album ‘Walking in Time’ CDTRAX 072, produced by Brian McNeill, and is Robin’s preferred version. The full album can be downloaded or just that particular track.
The Union Canal is a long-established waterway between Edinburgh and Falkirk where now, thanks to the ‘Falkirk Wheel’ it joins the Forth and Clyde canal. This song was taken from Robin’s 1988 album ‘Edinburgh Skyline’ CDTRAX021 (of which Greentrax have 1 CD left in stock – get in touch quick if you want to snap it up!) and was produced by Nick Keir who also plays the mandolin with Colin Ramage providing additional vocals. The album with this track is also available on download.
A Greentrax spokeswoman says “We listened to the last remaining cassette recently and even though it’s been in the warehouse for 35 years the quality of the singing, instrumentation and recording still shine through. Well worth a listen!”
Hamish Henderson who knew a thing or two about singers said of Robin ‘there can be no doubt that his is one of the most thoughtful, gifted and promising voices of the revival’.
Both songs on the cassette were recorded at Pier House Studios, Granton, Edinburgh by Peter Haig and Ian Beveridge and produced and arranged by Jim Sutherland.
1000 copies of the cassette were pressed at Grampian Records Ltd whilst 500 copies of the 7’’ Vinyl by C.O.P. at Beckingham in Kent.
Robin stayed with Greentrax and over the years has recorded another 7 albums which they tell me are still available for sale (with the exception the CD Walking in Time.)
Jim Welsh
Radio Summerhall Arts 