Colin Randall writes: Salut! Folk has already marked the death of the Scottish singer, guitarist, broadcaster and songwriter Archie Fisher with a comprehensive piece by Andrew Curry. These are some additional words on a great ambassador for Scottish folk, indeed folk music in general.
Scenes from an untidy office. The LP was rescued from the loft
As I assembled some thoughts on the passing of that colossus of Scottish folk music, Archie Fisher, I instantly travelled 55 years back in time.
Thro’ the Recent Years was an album Fisher recorded with Barbara Dickson, the outstanding Scottish singer who was then in the early folk phase which she would eventually resurrect after – or rather during – her successful career on stage and in superior easy listening.
It was an inspired work, all contemporary but enhanced by the gentle but confident charm of Fisher’s singing, the sublime Dickson voice and some stellar songwriting. Fisher and his pal, Rab Noakes, another fine Scottish singer-songwriter who predeceased him, wrote some of the tracks and Bob Dylan’s Tears of Rage was among the others.
Fast forward from 1970 and for all the imperfections of the studio techniques of that era, it still sounds for the most part remarkably fresh. I mentioned it in a piece posted on New Year’s Day 2024.
Dickson takes the lead on several tracks but Fisher also produces stand-out vocal performances. I’d say his versions of Dave Goulder’s classic, January Man, and Fiddlers’ Green (commonly misspelt, as in this LP’s sleeve notes, as the singular Fiddler’s) evoke the nostalgia and wistful melancholy of John Conolly’s fine song as vividly as any.
The latter song describes a dying sailor’s coming journey to the paradise of a nautical afterlife, its plaintive chorus reading:
Dress me up in me oilskins and jumper −
No more on the docks I’ll be seen −
Just tell me old shipmates, I’m taking a trip, mates,
And I’ll see you someday, in Fiddlers’ Green
Of course, there was a great deal more to Archie Fisher. As Andrew Curry noted, his eponymous first solo album was released in 1968. He would make many more, collaborate with – among many more – Bert Jansch, Tom Paxton, Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem, Garnet Rogers and John Renbourn and host a long-running BBC Scotland radio show, Travelling Folk.
One of my favourite Fisher songs is not one of his own compositions. The Broom A’ the Cowdenknowes is a Scottish love ballad dating from at least as far back as the 17th century though its origins are unknown. It appeared on his 1976 album Will Ye Gang, Love and showcases Fisher’s vocal command to perfection.
Archie Fisher reached the decent age of 86. He was a supreme flagbearer for folk music from anywhere and will be remembered with boundless affection and admiration.
I shall close with a few tributes, acknowledgements due to BBC Scotland and Clashmusic.com:
Martin Simpson, singer, songwriter, expert guitarist:
Archie Fisher was a beautiful singer, beautiful guitar player and a staggeringly charismatic man. He was also really supportive and kind. I’m proud, and grateful, to have known him.
Donald Shaw, creative producer of Celtic Connections:
Archie Fisher was one of the great tradition bearers of the Scottish folk scene, and an inspiring, much-loved singer-songwriter before his success as a radio presenter.
… His celebratory 80th anniversary concert at Celtic Connections a few years ago was a highlight from the festival over the years, with artists from across the world seeking a turn on the night.
As anyone on the music scene today will tell you, he was full of wit, kindness and knowledge
Iona Fyfe, Scottish folk singer:
So sad to hear of the passing of Archie Fisher. A true folk music hero and inspiration. Rest easy Archie. Thoughts with the family and all who loved Archie and his music
James Keelaghan, Canadian singer-songwriter:
I stopped in to see him and to spend the night at the hacienda near Galashiels last June. We ate curry, we told stories, drank whisky and played some songs. And in the early afternoon, I took my leave. It was the last time I saw him. But it won’t be the last time we’ll be together. Tonight I will sing Dark-eyed Molly, The Final Trawl, Bill Hosie and Witch of the Westmerland, and we will be together again. And if we keep singing his songs, he’ll never die
Barbara Dickson:
I have just had the news confirmed that the great Archie Fisher has died. My musical mentor and huge cultural icon here in Scotland. Rest in Peace, Archie. Bx
Fois dhut – rest in peace, in the Gaelic of his mother, who was from the Outer Hebrides – Archie Fisher MBE.
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