Hello all, Welcome to September and some fresh news with a further update on, amongst other things, the new album ‘I’m walkin’ here’.
As announced last month we have now set 16th October as the release date for the album.
There’ll be some shows around its launch. They are further down this missive.
The Double-CD and LP are available to pre-order on www.rabnoakes.com from September 7th until October 11th.
Following that it’ll be available to buy, with immediate despatch, and there’ll be a launch offer at www.rabnoakes.com/shop where the CD version will be available for a month (from Monday October 12th – Sunday November 15th) without P&P charge – saving about £2.50.
And yes, the launch offer will apply to pre-orders. The Double-CD will cost £11.99.
The limited edition vinyl release will contain the songs from CD1. All 26 tracks will be available via an exclusive download code which is contained in each LP. No discounts here though I’m afraid.
It’ll set you back £20.00 + £4.00 P&P. It does sound good though.
I’ve just been told that due to exceptional demands on the pressing plant delivery date is now November 6th. That’s later than anticipated but we’re at the mercy of the plant’s timetable I’m afraid. It’ll be despatched as soon as it arrives.
Tracklisting
CD1 Slippin’ away – Out of your sight – I’m walkin’ here – It happened all the same – One dog barks – A little time left – No more time – Out of the blue – Believing is seeing – Where dead voices gather – (Don’t say) Money doesn’t matter – Two days in May
CD2 Buttons and bows – Don’t act like your heart isn’t hard – All in down and out blues – Travellin’ light – Goodbye booze – Your clear white light – The Guernsey kitchen porter – That’s the way the whole thing ends – Moonlight and gold (version two) – Goodbye – Freight train – Only happy when it rains – The two sisters – Bye bye blackbird
Also available in the shop are the 7 extra FREE ‘I’m walkin’ here’ tracks.
I have now also rejuvenated my facebook Rab Noakes Music page. Please visit it and leave a mark. I’ll be updating it regularly as another outlet for activities, relevant postings, free songs and other stuff.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rab-Noakes-Music/189260891282881
Here’s a reminder that I’ve been invited to take part in a 70th birthday celebration of Neil Young curated by Roddy Hart. It’s a multi-artist concert, part of True North Festival in Aberdeen. It’s at the Music Hall in Union Street on September 27th. Also taking part will be Admiral Fallow, Emma Pollock, Eddi Reader, Zervas & Pepper, Justin Currie and others. Here’s the link.
Launch tour Dates
31st October Inverclyde Folk and Roots Festival https://uk.patronbase.com/_BeaconArtsCentre
6th Kinross Backstage at The Green http://mundellmusic.com/
13th Stirling Tolbooth http://tolbooth.stirling.gov.uk/
14th Campbeltown Ceol at Seafield https://www.wegottickets.com/event/328888
19th Glasgow Cottier’s http://www.pmmusic.co.uk/event/rab-noakes/
20th Strathblane Village Hall villageclub1911@gmail.com
27th Arbroath Hospitalfield http://hospitalfield.org.uk/
We had a good response to the possibility of both ‘Your cheatin’ heart’ and the three albums on CD. It’s work-in-progress. Thanks to all who responded. Frankly I wouldn’t mind a bit more response from the rights-holders but it’s proving a slow progress.
Here’re a couple of early reviews of the new album.
‘I’m Walkin Here’
Rab Noakes
Rab Noakes has what you could call a ‘lived in’ face. He also has a voice that could be termed ‘lived through’. In either case, both imply the owner has a wealth of time and experience on their side, much of which remains the envy of lesser men. With an extensive back-catalogue of albums and an enviable career in music, Rab now releases ‘I’m Walkin’ Here’, a two-CD double album of unique and typical songs that reference both time and experience, in his own words: “… an album that nobody else could make.” Well, listening to ‘I’m Walkin’ Here’ I would say he’s achieved exactly what he set out to do. You could simply call it ‘Job done’.
There’s all the gutsy rawness, close-touching tenderness, critical observation and caustic commentary that’s to be expected from Noakes. CD1, a collection of originals written between 2010 and 2011, includes the defining statement of ‘I’m walkin’ here’, the realisation of ‘It happened all the same’ and ‘Out of the blue’ advocating the dangers of looking back. CD2 is an eclectic grouping of the man’s favourites, each given the Noakes touch, including old and new classics like ‘Buttons and bows’, ‘Travellin’ light’, Lindisfarne’s ‘Your clear white light’ and Gerry Rafferty’s ‘Moonlight and gold’. And were 14 tracks not sufficient, seven ‘extra tracks’ can be downloaded from www.rabnoakes.com including cracking versions of ‘Loving you is sweeter than ever’ and ‘I’m looking for someone to love’.
‘Stripped back’ is not one of my favourite phrases but if it has to used, then it describes this album. However, in this case, I prefer ‘bare essentials’, simply because all you need from ‘I’m Walkin’ Here’ is precisely what you get – bare essentials nothing more nothing less. The album releases on 16 October on Neon Records, an added bonus is the comprehensive inlay booklet, which provides information on the origins of the album and a wealth of background to the songs.
Reviewer: Tim Carroll
Folkwords
A wonderful double album from one of Scotland’s true treasures and unsung musical heroes. Noakes traces his musical pedigree way back into the heady sixties and as a member of Stealers Wheel in the seventies worked alongside the late Gerry Rafferty (Baker Street, with that fabulous Sax solo) and frequently recorded and played with Rod Clements of Lindisfarne. With his feet firmly rooted in the acoustic folk-roots tradition, he moves effortlessly between genres, never rushing but always tastefully slip-sliding along. ‘I’m Walkin’ Here’ is simply another of his excellently crafted releases, full of pith and purpose.
With 26 tracks to choose from over two discs it’s hard to single out any one number. Noakes covers unexpected old movie standards like ‘Buttons & Bows’, moves through ‘Bye, Bye Blackbird’ and Cliff and the Shadows’ old chestnut ‘Travelling Light’ then also squeezes in some wonderful John Hurt-style fretwork plus a cracking version of Elizabeth Cotton’s ‘Freight Train’, here played with sumptuous sensitivity and style.
For me, at least, Disc 2 is the better of the pair, though that’s probably because of its slightly more bluesy undertones rather than any genuine qualitative difference. Most of the material is written by Noakes who is amply supported by Barbara Dickson and a host of other Scottish worthies.
What comes across most evidently with this release is that Noakes seems to be genuinely enjoying himself; a relaxed, beautiful album that truly captures the spirit of roots music with a modern twist at times and an artist at the very top of his form. Highly recommended.
Iain Patience
FATEA