Hero Worship: Alasdair Roberts

I've had the pleasure of seeing Alasdair Roberts play on countless occasions and each time has thrown up at least one of those ‘wow’ moments where the hairs go up on your neck and the whole crowd goes as silent as stone – when all of a sudden it’s as if there is nothing in the world but the artist and audience connected in an eerie fragile space.

His is a voice that sounds as if it could come from any age and it fits perfectly around the songs he sings. We were lucky enough to have Ali sing on one of our songs during the sessions for The Wants after becoming acquainted through the mutual admiration of Duncan Williamson – the legendary folk musician and storyteller. Duncan happened to once live in a cottage in Fife with our own phantom Andy and, upon learning Ali had cited Duncan as an influence, he tried to get them to perform together at a small festival he was helping to organise.

Unfortunately Duncan was unable to perform as he fell ill and died soon after. Ali performed some of Duncan’s songs in dedication to him. The traditions that were so endemic to Duncan and others like him are in safe hands while musicians like Ali continue to study and celebrate the rich thread of stories and music that lie in the foundations of our cultural heritage.