Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins formed Nu-Sonics in Scotland in 1976, the band who later changed their name to Orange Juice. Critically acclaimed, Orange Juice had a Top 10 hit, ‘Rip It Up’, before disbanding in 1985. Edwyn’s solo career has also had great success, as has his work as a producer for acts such as The Proclaimers, Little Barrie and The Cribs. In 2005 he suffered two strokes and his road to recovery – and back to the stage – has been a remarkable tale of bravery and optimism.
Edwyn Collins’ recovery from two cerebral haemorrhages has been one of popular music’s more inspiring stories. Perhaps most famous for his single ‘Girl Like You’, Edwyn is still on the road to recovery but is back recording and performing live, having released a new album Home Again in 2007.
A BBC Scotland documentary, Edwyn Collins: Home Again, was broadcast in May 2008 and was narrated by Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos, one of the many current bands who cite Edwyn Collins and Orange Juice as an inspiration. Filmed during 2007, it followed his progress in recovering from his illness, and his first return to live performance at the BBC Electric Proms. He has since performed live on numerous occasions including the 2008 Glastonbury Festival. Orange Juice reunited in October 2008 as they received a lifetime achievement award at the Tarten Clefs. The award will be duplicated this year when Edwyn and the band will receive a 2009 Ivor Novello lifetime achievement award. At this year’s Port Eliot Festival, Edwyn will be playing a solo set in the Walled Garden.
“If performing live while you’re still recovering from a massive stroke seems a deeply unlikely thing to do, it’s probably worth remembering that Collins has built a career spanning four decades on swimming against whatever the prevalent wisdom may be.”
The Guardian
“Collins’ distinctive, reedy croon carries a bunch of guitar-driven, country noir ballads and muscular, soul-pop numbers which suggest an aesthetic kinship with Richard Hawley. Collins, though, prefers railroad blues, the spaghetti western soundtrack’s sweep and country’s twang to the romantic swoon and although his love of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash is plain, it exerts a subtle influence.”
Time Out
Links:
- Edwyn Collins interview in the Guardian
- Interview in the Independent
- Edwyn Collins talks to the Scotsman
Video:
Edwyn Collins’ ‘Girl Like You’:
Home Again documentary:
