Angels of Ashes: Scott Walker

Just over a month ago, one of my favourite singers, Mark Hollis of Talk Talk passed away. And today, I learn that Scott Walker has also gone. It's genuinely distressing to see so many artists that I love and admire, and who have peopled my hours, not be with us any more. It's also a strange feeling as I've never met any of them personally so it's not as if their passing creates a physical vacuum in my life. And yet, the loss feels very real. Freddie, Bowie, Mark Hollis, Scott Walker, all have made an indelible mark on my inner landscape. In our lonely digital age, I actually spend far more time in their company than I do with any other "real" people, apart from from my wife. In a by-gone era, I wouldn't only be communicating how I feel by typing these words on a computer, as I am doing now, but by actually talking to friends and acquaintances about it over a couple of pints down the pub. But hardly anybody does that any more. Especially having a beer in the pub. But anyway, on to Scott Walker. First things first, his truly incredible voice. That rich baritone was truly a gift from the gods themselves. But that's not all, for as I grew more familiar with his music, the beautiful, poetic lyrics, melodies, and glorious arrangements became as unique to me as that voice. When my Taid passed away in 2002, for about a month afterwards the only music I could listen to was Scott Walker's. Only his voice seemed to have the gravitas and sensitivity that appeared to truly understand the sheer emptiness that grief causes. And this is how I will always remember Scott's music. It's not something you can just have playing away in the background. It is something that speaks to you at the deepest level, during those dark nights of the soul when you face up to loss and mortality, and life can appear to have absolutely no meaning whatsoever. But, as well as this, crucially, his songs also had the Romance. He described the genuine bliss of being in love, the holy joy that lust can bring to our lives, while also acknowledging the fear that our relationships might, and probably will, at times, go wrong. These were also Scott's themes. They are songs that are really songs to listen to alone. Preferably on good quality headphones, perhaps whilst sitting on a windswept beach, looking out at the shimmering sea, and most certainly without distractions. For this very reason alone, I fear he will probably be lost on the majority of this and the younger generations to come, as our attention is rapidly being stolen from us by our mobile phones. But in reality what need I care about that? People have to find their own way to experience art. I have him, and deeply appreciate his work, and that's what that matters to me.

And so, I raise a toast to you, Scott, wherever your soul now ventures, and I thank you dearly for the beauty and the wisdom that your spectacular voice and magnificent songs have brought me over the years.

"I can recommend angels

I've watched as they've made a man strong

Oh so strong...

If your humbleness shows

Then I'm sure that they'll take you

Along...

You can tell them who sent you

It might help to get you

Above...

You can say that he laughed

And he walked like St. Francis

With love..."

- Scott Walker, Angels of Ashes

Scott Walker (1943-2019)