Hamish Imlach
Encyclopedia
Hamish Imlach was a folksinger
. He was born in Calcutta but claimed to have been conceived in Glasgow
, Scotland
. Although his commercial success was limited he influenced many other artists, including most notably John Martyn and Billy Connolly
. In Central and Northern Europe Imlach enjoyed a strong reputation as a vivid live artist. Particularly in Scandinavia (Denmark) and Germany his live performances were much cherished.
He had his biggest hit in the late 1960s with "Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice," a scurrilous and hilarious take on the American gospel
standard "Virgin Mary Had a Little Baby" written by Ron Clark and Carl MacDougall. The song was for a time banned by the BBC
as it was assumed to be full of double meanings, but at one point became the most requested song on British Forces Radio.
He was described by Ewan McVicar, the Scottish storyteller and singer, as "a raconteur who taught Billy Connolly
, a singer who taught Christy Moore
, a blues guitarist who taught John Martyn".
Imlach was invited to join the Irish trad and folk group The Dubliners
. He was also an early anti-nuclear protestor and wrote and performed protest songs as well as comic ones. After recovering from a serious illness in the 1970s he regularly toured with Iain MacKintosh
as well as doing solo tours. For the last 18 months of his professional life his stage partner was Kate Kramer, an American fiddle player and singer living in Scotland, with whom he recorded his last CD, More and Merrier (1996).
Hamish Imlach was married to Wilma and had 4 children; Mairead, Fiona, Jim and Vhari. His health deteriorated again towards the latter part of his life with bronchial troubles and obesity. In his 1992 autobiography, co-written with Ewan McVicar, Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice he jested "When I die I want everything to be knackered!"
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
. He was born in Calcutta but claimed to have been conceived in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Although his commercial success was limited he influenced many other artists, including most notably John Martyn and Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
. In Central and Northern Europe Imlach enjoyed a strong reputation as a vivid live artist. Particularly in Scandinavia (Denmark) and Germany his live performances were much cherished.
He had his biggest hit in the late 1960s with "Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice," a scurrilous and hilarious take on the American gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
standard "Virgin Mary Had a Little Baby" written by Ron Clark and Carl MacDougall. The song was for a time banned by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
as it was assumed to be full of double meanings, but at one point became the most requested song on British Forces Radio.
He was described by Ewan McVicar, the Scottish storyteller and singer, as "a raconteur who taught Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
, a singer who taught Christy Moore
Christy Moore
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
, a blues guitarist who taught John Martyn".
Imlach was invited to join the Irish trad and folk group The Dubliners
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
. He was also an early anti-nuclear protestor and wrote and performed protest songs as well as comic ones. After recovering from a serious illness in the 1970s he regularly toured with Iain MacKintosh
Iain MacKintosh
Iain MacKintosh was a Scottish singer and songwriter. His father was from the Outer Hebrides, a watchmaker and goldsmith who owned a pawnshop in Glasgow, his mother came from Northern Ireland. At the age of seven he started learning the Highland pipes and played in a pipe band in his youth...
as well as doing solo tours. For the last 18 months of his professional life his stage partner was Kate Kramer, an American fiddle player and singer living in Scotland, with whom he recorded his last CD, More and Merrier (1996).
Hamish Imlach was married to Wilma and had 4 children; Mairead, Fiona, Jim and Vhari. His health deteriorated again towards the latter part of his life with bronchial troubles and obesity. In his 1992 autobiography, co-written with Ewan McVicar, Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice he jested "When I die I want everything to be knackered!"