Colin Scot

Though lesser known than many of his folk-rock contemporaries, Colin Scot was a mainstay on the London folk circuit of the early 1970s where his dynamic stage presence and larger-than-life personality earned him numerous fans and perhaps most enduringly, the respect of his peers. Although it sold modestly at the time, his eponymous 1971 debut eventually took on the luster of a cult classic not only for its passionate songwriting, but for the impressive roster of musicians who contributed to it. On paper, Scot's debut features an eclectic who's-who of British star power ranging from Peter Gabriel and Rick Wakeman to Brinsley Schwarz and Robert Fripp. Although he went on to record two more albums in the '70s, widespread success never materialized and, after moving to Amsterdam, little was heard from him during the decades that followed. A beloved friend and artist prone to excess, particularly in regards to alcohol, Scot's tale ended with his untimely death in 1999. His first album remains a highly sought-after gem among record collectors and has since a handful of reissues including Esoteric's deluxe 2021 package with numerous bonus tracks from the same sessions. Colin Thistlewaite was born on March 17, 1941 to California parents. Influenced in equal measure by American and British music, Colin Scot (as he came to be known on-stage) could be found in the folk clubs of London playing a hearty mix of covers by Buddy Holly, Frankie Ford, and the Beatles interspersed with his own more introspective originals. His gregarious nature and appetite for drink and drugs was matched by his talents as a performer and writer and he made many friends within the capital's various music circles. Generally a solo acoustic troubadour, Scot was by no means a folk purist and tended to run with an eclectic crew that included future stars of the rock and prog rock scenes. By the time he began recording his debut album with producer John Anthony, an astonishingly talented backing band had been assembled to flesh out Scot's songs. Along with an all-star guitar trio of Robert Fripp, Davey Johnstone, and Brinsley Schwarz were Rick Wakeman (who supposedly met his future Yes bandmate and fellow Scot contributor Jon Anderson during the sessions) Genesis' Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, Lindisfarne's Alan Hull, and Van der Graaf Generator's Peter Hammill, among others. Released in 1971 by United Artists, the self-titled record was a modest performer, failing to make a splash, but earning a modicum of critical respect for its rich stylistic mix. While many of Scot's mates soon went on to greater stardom, his career more or less stalled and after switching to Warner Bros. he released just two more albums: 1973's Just Another Clown and 1974's Out of the Blue. After this, little was heard from the once-promising singer/songwriter who had relocated to Amsterdam and largely disappeared from the music industry. His many friends recall him as a joyful and fun-loving soul with a penchant for mischief and excess. Following his death in 1999, his first album continued to grow in legend and, beginning with Eclectic Discs' 2006 CD reissue, became more accessible to interested fans. In 2021, a comprehensive reissue of Colin Scot, replete with related bonus songs, was issued by Cherry Red's Esoteric Recordings imprint.
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