Kieran Argo: Charred Folk from c.'65

"To the day when the dust has settled, the rivers are clean and young men can stay home or roam as they please. To the day when we can believe the politicians, to the day."

Tom Paxton May 2nd 1965

Arthur Argo (1935 - 1981) was a man passionately committed to the traditional folk music of Scotland, the British Isles, America and beyond. Arthur was the great grandson of Gavin Greig (1856–1914) Poet, Playwright, Teacher and Scotland's most important folk song collector of the 20th Century. It was within the cultural context of the burgeoning folk revival scene of the 1960's where Arthur founded the Aberdeen Folk Club in Scotland in 1962.

Throughout the 1960's the club saw an incredible range of singers and players some of whom came fresh out of Greenwich Village in New York. Arthur worked hard throughout the decade along with others, especially his wife Ruth, to create a unique and complementary folk scene in Aberdeen.

Below are the charred remains of of one of his cherished scrapbooks containing photographs, comments and autographs of some of the legendary talent that played and sang in Aberdeen during those vibrant years.

Please feel free to contact me with corrections/omissions, thanks.

Arthur's flat in Aberdeen had a serious fire in the late 1970's and many valuable recordings, documents and personal possessions were lost.

"You're doing a good job Arthur. Keep it up."

Ewan Maccoll

"Enjoyed singing at your club - good audience - good singers having worked well."

Peggy Seeger

"Guy Fawkes Day 1965 - With appreciation and love to Arthur and Ruth, Keep singing - aye! -"

Toshi Seeger Peter Seeger

"From California to the New York Island" it's hard to beat an Aberdeen audience - here's tae the next time loon."

Jean Redpath

('loon' - North East Scots word for lad or boy.)

"... members, by their evident knowledge & discrimination ... their guest feel both flattered and nervous, which ... make him sing well! It was a real pleasure"

Rory McEwan Jan '65

"Arthur & Ruth
This is just the first time & hope to repay the hospitality someday. love"

Carolyn Hester 15 Oct '66

"... hard to think of two clubs farther apart than Plymouth and Aberdeen, but we're close enough in spirit! On behalf of the Plymouth Club, congratulations on your second anniversary, Best Wishes"

Cyril Tawney

"... night!! thanks to Aberdeen's warm hospitality. There were ... in the past two years - may there be many more in the ... head! Our troubles are over - yet still with us, the joy of our ... is the plague of our life. From my "trouble and strife" and me - thanks ... --- and our compliments to the cook!"

Jim Closs

"Last time at the Club I thought the audience was great. Let's hope they don't ruin me tonight."

Joe Heaney

"... all at Aberdeen, the Newcastle of the Scots; I'm sure it's being in the North East of the country that does it! May you flourish long as (for it's what you are) the best club in Scotland. Best wishes"

Louis Killon

Dave Hamilton & Jim Closs (pic)

"To the day when the dust has settled, the rivers are clean and young men can stay home or roam as they please. To the day when we can believe the politicians, to the day."

Tom Paxton May 2nd 1965