By Darren Grayer.
Scottish pop legend Edwyn Collins has this week announced a farewell tour that sees him visit Central Hall in Southampton on 2nd October.
I know what you’re thinking, yet another artist that will be embarking on the first of several farewell tours that will hopefully draw punters back more than once. But given the remarkable story behind Edwyn’s career, and the fact he’s still making new music at all, will probably tell you there is something very different about this announcement.
It is being labelled as ‘The Testimonial Tour – A Last Lap Around The U.K.’
Edwyn played his first gig in 1977, with his band The Nu-Sonics bottom of the bill supporting The Backstabbers, The Skids and Steel Pulse at Satellite City, a nightclub above the Apollo in Glasgow.
He rose to fame as lead singer with Orange Juice, notorious for their wonderful blend of Post punk, jangling guitar indie pop, and released their early singles on the now legendary Postcard Records label. The label was also home for bands such as Aztec Camera and Josef K. They produced a sound that went on to influence the likes of Haircut 100 and The Bluebells.
After signing to Polydor in 1981, Orange Juice went on to release three studio albums and scored a top ten hit with the single Rip It Up. The band’s final show was in January 1985 at a gig for the miners’ strike.
After the band split, Edwyn embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album, Hope And Despair, in 1989. He scored a global hit in 1994 with the single A Girl Like You, taken from the album Gorgeous George.
In February2005, Edwyn was hospitalised after two cerebral haemorrhages which resulted in aphasia, a condition that effects a person’s ability to comprehend or formulate language because of damage to specific brain regions, caused by a stroke.
It took months of recovery, including a lengthy programme of neurological rehabilitation owing to right-sided weakness and difficulty with speech. He was only able to say a few words that included “yes”, “no”, “Grace Maxwell” (his wife’s name) and “the possibilities are endless”. He felt well enough to resume his music career in 2007, with the album Home Again. In 2014, a documentary film on his recovery, The Possibilities Are Endless, was released. It’s a remarkable watch.
In January this year a new single, Knowledge, was released. As the title would suggest, it’s typically reflective, and this week, its follow up, The Heart Is A Foolish Thing has been released.
Both tracks are taken from his upcoming 10th solo album, Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation, which will be out on his own AED label on Friday 14th March.
It was recorded at Clashnarrow Studio in his Helmsdale home, Northeast Scotland.
The visit to Central Hall will be a very special and emotion filled evening. Tickets are on sale now.
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