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In preparation for the upcoming edition of Classic Scottish Albums we spoke with producer-to-the-stars about his role in Big Country's The Crossing.

'So what are you working on at the moment?' I asked as microphones were being set up.

'Well, Davie', he replied 'if I told you I'd probably have to kill you, but I will give you a clue. It's a very famous band, one of whom has just left.' As you might imagine, this quite ruined the interview for me. Wonderful insights and gems of new information on Big Country flew over my head as I struggled in vain to engage my brain on the mystery band. The next morning I told my friend and colleague Paul McGeechan of the exchange.

'That'll be Oasis' he fired back. Very dispiriting. As it turned out a few days later, that'll be Beady Eye. Great name for a band, right? He also told me a story about Big Country. When Paul's group (one of the great under rated Scottish groups) were recording in in 1983 Big Country were recording across the corridor. The Friends Again guys peered through the famous porthole studio windows of RAK one day to see what was happening. In the control room was a red haired Scotsman in his stocking soles dancing violently on a leather sofa while playing a guitar solo. The guitar player was Bruce Watson and he soon beckoned the boys in for some exiled-jocks-in-London banter.

'Would you like a drink, lads?' he asked, beckoning to two large crates of lager on the floor. Steve Lillywhite confirmed that the lager was Tennent's. Other brands are available.

I begin to think I'm the only musician of my generation who didn't know Stuart Adamson, so overwhelmed have we been with people talking about him over the past weeks. described being on tour with Big Country as akin to being given 'a big cuddle' and this was typical of people's recollection. The music of the band, and Stuart's own story in particular seem to inspire a warmth and raw emotion in people. I once sat with music industry veteran Ronnie Gurr talking about Stuart's songs, and Ronnie was suddenly in floods of unstoppable tears. And when you think about the music, the yearning melodies, lyrics about journeys and home (and journeys home) it's hard to think of many other folk who wore their soul on their sleeve quite like Stuart Adamson. Stuart's daughter Kirstin, who was kind enough to speak to us for the programme, has some of that same lonesome feel in the music she makes with her own wondrous . But as folk have been quick to point out this is not just the story of a singer / songwriter; it's the story of a band who were, in their prime (like another CSA inductee ,) the UNSTOPPABLE FORCE.

So let's kneel down and dedicate Classic Scottish Albums: The Crossing to Tony Butler, Mark Brzezicki and Bruce Watson (who kindly walked our Victoria round the kingdom of Fife) and most of all to Stuart who I now, more than ever, wish I'd known.
Davie Scott.

Davie Scott presents Classic Scottish Albums on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Scotland, Mondays, 1130-1200