A lover of pop music
from his youth he has enjoyed the rock'n'roll life span. He's experienced
a lot, from the joys of 'Buttons and Bows' from 'Paleface' to playing
on the Left Field stage at Glastonbury with Fraser Speirs in 2005 alongside
Babyshambles.
Rab has been at
the cutting edge of contemporary songwriting for over 30 years. From
his first album in 1970 to his most recent releases, he has firmly established
himself at the forefront of Scottish pop music as both a prolific and
gifted writer of hook-laden songs and an original and affectionate interpreter
of the American popular music back-catalogue. With material ranging
from blues to country, from early Motown to Beck, from Sam Cooke to
Radiohead, and from Felice Bryant to the inimitable Rab himself, it
is easy to see why his repertoire has been described as "a roots
festival in itself" (The Herald).
Among Rab's back catalogue sits the influential album 'Red Pump Special'
which was produced in Nashville by the acclaimed Elliot Mazer and remains
a collector's item. With a career spanning over fifteen albums and major
collaborations with Lindisfarne, Gerry Rafferty, Stealers Wheel and
early Dylan producer Bob Johnston, Rab displays "the expertise
of someone who's done it all" (Living Tradition). In the 1990's
Rab formed the Varaflames, whose members have included such luminaries
as Rod Clements (Lindisfarne), guitar wizard Jerry Donahue, Ewen Vernal
(Deacon Blue), Pick Withers (Dire Straits) and harmonica ace, Fraser
Speirs, with whom Rab still occasionally performs.
After working for
some years as Head of Entertainment at BBC Radio Scotland, he left to
form his own successful media production company, Neon, with his wife
Stephanie Pordage. Rab's production skills have been much in demand
and his portfolio includes albums by John Watt, macAlias, Karen Dunbar
and the award-winning Karine Polwart, whose Neon Records-released CD
'Faultlines' won the Best Album Category at the BBC Folk Awards in 2005.
For Rab, gigging
has always been the lifeblood of his music. Venues now have the opportunity
to hear "Good, honest songs, delivered with a directness and simplicity
that get to the heart of the matter, and some really tight driving guitar....a
combination of catchy melodies and gritty lyrics that speak for everyman."
(BBC Radio Scotland Celtic Roots website.)
Rab Noakes the performer
can be presented in a variety of ways:
Solo he has
honed his stage-craft to perfection and really puts that extra indefinable
something into a performance that makes an audience feel they have seen
and heard something extraordinary.
with Fraser Speirs
on harmonica the carefully selected voicings give an added musicality,
depth and subtlety to the arrangements.
with The Varaflames
the audience is treated to a timeless selection of material played with
the consummate skill of musicians who know their way round the intricacies
of the popular song with integrity, style and wit.
Rab's anecdotal
style complements the songs and guarantees the audience a lively and
entertaining show.
Rab and Fraser can
also provide workshops on songwriting and accompaniment. Rab's experience
in radio and TV production ensures a unique balance of information and
entertainment.
