The first time for me seeing Orange Juice live (well, sort of) – and the last time all at once: Edwyn Collins is doing the first gig on his major farewell tour, "A Last Lap Around Europe" – in Austria. We came from hamburg for this. Those other Germans are missing out entirely (philistines!).
The intro provides context
That magnificent "Where Were You?" by The Mekons from late 1978 rings out as the overture for the start of Edwyn's farewell tour. Also providing the soundtrack to the beginning of his career. And it wasn't just those of us in the WUK hall who had been waiting for this, but the band too. Five seasoned men storm the stage and grab their instruments while the host takes his seat. He can’t manage without a walking stick – but he has held onto a little bit of strength and high spirits: he defiantly raises his walking aid into the air.
Things kick off with the debut single "Falling and Laughing" – a promise of a journey through his entire repertoire. Indeed, we hear quite a lot from the first album: "In a Nutshell", "Dying Day", "Consolation Prize", "Felicity", and "Simply Thrilled Honey". And it works. The fact that the high notes aren't always hit perfectly is something that can happen even with artists who don’t have his medical history. But the middle and lower vocal lines are spot on. And in between, there are charming announcements and jokes with the band ("The man on the guitar is Patrick, he's from Germany – but he's got a nice guitar" – or something to that effect).
Great strength for great effort
Of course, everyone knows we won’t be seeing him on stage again. You can sense the effort – but also the desire to say a proper "goodbye" one more time. In interviews regarding the tour, Edwyn emphasises that he is quite strong. After the two strokes twenty years ago, he could neither speak, sing, nor hold a guitar.The fact that he was able to undertake this tour – and the preceding one in the UK – is also down to the energetic support of his family. His wife, Grace, has even played his right hand on the guitar before – quite literally – and she is the one who leads him off stage later on.
But it hasn't come to that yet. Following a brilliant "What Presence?!" with a raucous intro, there are a few more selected tracks from his solo albums. We get "The Wheels of Love" and – I believe – "Ghost of a Chance", "The Campaign for Real Rock", "Make Me Feel Again", and "Gorgeous George" from the "Hit LP" of the same name, to "Knowledge" from his latest long-player.
Family celebration – or passing the baton?
And then his son, William, comes on stage to take over lead vocals for "In Your Eyes" from the 2010 album Losing Sleep. It feels a bit like a big family celebration – with us being invited.Everyone was waiting for the finale: after "Don’t Shilly Shally" comes "I Can’t Help Myself", "Rip It Up", and – of course – "A Girl Like You".
Then he carefully leaves the stage, and we are grateful and a little relieved that it went so well – for him and for us. Somewhat prematurely, I’m standing outside at the bar with four drinks and can hardly believe it: he’s doing encores! And I can’t get back in with the glasses.
Edwyn Collins does one very last lap
But perhaps it’s better that way. While listening to "Blue Boy", I enjoy my few minutes alone with Edwyn in spirit and get a little nostalgic. Thank you, Edwyn – I hear you still want to remain active in the studio. In "What Presence", the lyrics ask: "What you gonna do when the river runs dry?" It’s nowhere near dry yet.
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