Folk legends Rab Noakes and Brooks Williams are coming together for a Scotland-USA Trans-Atlantic collaboration this November, at the Music Rooms in the Philharmonic Hall on the 24th of the month. The evening is fuelled by a shared passion for acoustic roots rock, hook-laden songwriter- pop, and folky Americana.
The duo met in Glasgow in 2018 when Rab sang backing vocals on Brooks’ Lucky Star recording. Shortly thereafter they got together to write songs and the plan to perform was hatched.
Rab Noakes and Brooks Williams connection goes back nearly 30 years. At the very beginning of Williams’ career, he began or ended every show with a song called Dublin Take Me. A Rab Noakes’ song, as it turns out, that Williams learned from a cassette a friend brought back to America from a Scottish holiday.
Rab said, “I can’t wait to go on the road with Brooks Williams and bring our transatlantic fusion to fans in Liverpool. We share a love of acoustic and folk music that has given birth to this special collaboration.”
Brooks said, “Rab and I are really excited to be able to tour this music – it’s the result of a unique partnership between like-minded musicians from both sides of the pond. I’m delighted we have been able to write and perform together. These shows are a chance for audiences to see what we’ve been working on.
Born in Statesboro, Georgia, Brooks Williams got his start in the small bars and coffeehouses of New York and Boston. That was 28 albums ago. More recent appearances include The Tolbooth in Stirling, The Philharmonic in Liverpool, Fairport’s Cropredy Festival, Costa del Folk, and Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
A rootsy songwriter, Williams is ranked in the ‘Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists’ and his voice is one “you just melt into”, says Americana U.K. He’s collaborated with the likes of Hans Theessink, Boo Hewerdine, Sally Barker, Chris Difford, Dave Kelly and Paul Jones.
Rab Noakes is a force to be reckoned with in the world of music. A songwriter-performer from Fife, after more than 50 years and 20 albums, the latest of these Welcome to Anniversaryville was released in the summer of 2018. He is a songwriter, producer, guitarist, and singer of the highest order. Collaborations and affiliations include Barbara Dickson, Rod Clements, Jill Jackson, Gerry Rafferty, The Varaflames, Michael Marra, Lindisfarne, Stealers Wheel and Celtic Connections.
Rab’s songs reflect his lifelong interest in “popular songs” and “roots songs”, combining melodic hooks and Americana-styled narratives. His interpretations are inspired and feature songs from sources as diverse as Elizabeth Cotten and Beck. He has produced several high-profile commemorative concerts and was part of Greg Lawson’s award-winning arrangement of Martin Bennett’s Grit.
In addition to his songs, singing, collaborations and productions, his professional experience also includes radio production and management at the BBC. He is on the Executive Committee of the Musicians’ Union. In recent years Rab received the prestigious “Tartan Clef” award and was inducted into the “Hands Up For Trad” Hall of Fame.
Rab and Brook play the Music Room of the Philharmonic Hall on Sunday 24th November. Tickets are available from the venue’s Box office.