A Scottish guitarist whose 1965 debut included 'Needle of Death' and who helped shape the 1960s folk revival.
For a quick sense of his range, listen to 'I Have No Time' and 'A Man I'd Rather Be', one somber, one lighter, both built on that signature fingerpicking.
His self-titled 1965 album opened with 'Needle of Death,' a song that became a touchstone for its stark fingerpicking and direct lyrics. That unadorned, personal quality runs through tracks like 'Running From Home' and 'Courting Blues,' and his intricate guitar work influenced a generation of players who came after. Even later records like 1979's 'Avocet' showed he kept writing with that same clear-eyed approach.
He came up during the 1960s folk revival, recording his debut in 1965. He often worked with other musicians, including John Renbourn on the 1967 album 'Nicola,' and was part of the group Pentangle, which released its first album in 1968. He kept recording over the decades, with albums like 'From the Outside' in 1991.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.