Life In A Scotch Sitting Room - The Genius of Ivor Cutler

Introduction

Today would have been Ivor Cutler's birthday. I was listening to "Life In A Scotch Sitting Room" yesterday. You should do today.

I first heard Ivor Cutler on the John Peel Show in the seventies, though that was the source for a lot of the music and other stuff in my teenage years. I don't know what brought him to my mind today, but I do love his strange, comforting mad old uncle tales and songs, usually accompanied on his wheezing harmonium.

So I thought I would do a playlist of Ivor Cutler songs, stories and tales that you really should listen to. You might become as enamoured with the guy's material as I am.

I do find it amazing the number of Scots who have never heard of him and then proceed not to even dip into his output, but I suppose we are all a bit like that, preferring the comfort of familiarity over the worry of something new and seemingly alien.

Ivor was born in 1923 as Isadore Cutler and died, aged 83, in 2006. To find out more about him, his Wikipedia page is here:

The best way to appreciate Ivor is by his tales and songs, many of which are on Youtube and they make up this playlist. If you like the forst one, you will love the rest and may even want to pick up some of his albums.

So here are a few stories and songs from Ivor for you to enjoy.

Eggmeat from Who Tore Your Trousers 1961

This is a strange and surreal concept brilliantly told by Ivor, absolutely delightful madness.

Shoplifters

A song from Ivor on his harmonium, taking an everyday phrase and making it beautifully surreal.

Life In A Scotch Sitting Room from Dandruff 1974

Some amazing descriptions in this story. It may have been the first work of Ivor's that I heard.

"The room went so quiet you could hear a weasel choking a sparrow on the pavement"

Just one of the wonderful observations in this piece. He really does put you in this surreal moment, wondering what is going to happen next. There are a lot of episodes just on YouTube so whether you buy the albums or stream, his genius is there for you to enjoy if you have access to any playing device.

Life In A Scotch Sittingroom #2 Episode 7 from Velvet Donkey 1974

"What Do You Do With Your Hands In Bed?"

The second-hand first aid book provides an excuse to explain the accusation from his grandfather with further admonishments from his father.

Boo Boo Bird

Another story and song from Ivor, I love this. Hear Ivor play on his primitive bamboo flute that he made himself to bookend his song, which is accompanied by him on his harmonium.

Go And Sit Upon The Grass from Velvet Donkey 1974

Another song which I first heard on a Virgin sampler around the year it was released.

Life In A Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 2, Ep. 11 from Jammy Smears 1976

Ivor goes for a walk in the country with his parents, avoiding the effects of the fresh air and discovering thistles (there are a lot in Scotland).

‘Gruts for Tea’ from 'The Innes Book of Records'

Ivor recites his poem ‘Gruts for Tea’ from ‘The Innes Book of Records’. Neil Innes and Ivor’s association stretched back to 1967 when they both featured in the Beatles ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ film.

Life In A Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 2, Ep. 2 - The Seaside

Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 2 is an album by Ivor, originally released in 1978. It was recorded live in Cutler's native Glasgow, and tells stories from his childhood growing up in a middle-class family around the time of the Great Depression.

The poems and stories from the album were also published as a book in 1984.

Conclusion

These are just a few wonderful excerpts from Ivor's poems, stories and songs. There is a lot available online and recorded media.

I hope you have enjoyed this.

Here is some further information on the great man.