It’s hard to believe that Edwyn Collins first broke onto the music scene over 30 years ago and was one of the first artists to set up a record label North of the border. Years before Creation or Jeepster Edwyn and his partner Alan Horne set up Postcard Records which spanned bands such as his own “Orange Juice”, “Joseph K”, “Go Betweens” and Roddy Frame’s “Aztec Camera”. Although Postcard was short-lived is was highly influential and was regarded as pioneering by many established Glasgow bands including “Franz Ferdinand” , “Belle & Sebastian” and the excellent and hugely underrated “Lloyd Cole & The Commotions”.
Some 10 years after his first major hit, “Rip it up”, Edwyn had a monster smash with “A girl like you”, incredibly this record was released 13 years ago and in the meantime Edwyn has released some fine records however this has been overshadowed by the terrible brain haemorrhages which he suffered three years ago. This hospitalised him for over six months and it took him years to perform again. Despite walking on stage with a walking stick and having to sit down while performing Edwyn had lost none of his style or wit. Dressed in a dapper tailor made suit the first couple of numbers were excellent and his voice was as strong as ever.
His last album “Home Again” which was released last year on Heavenly Records was recorded before his illness however mixed and post produced in the middle of last year. The album is a classic and shows that Edwyn has many more years ahead of him as an artist and performer.
Written by John Rahim