That Guy Fae the Corries by Ronnie Browne

by Ronnie Browne

One of the most easily recognised figures on the Scottish scene, Ronnie Browne was one half of The Corries until the untimely death of his musical partner, Roy Williamson, in 1990. Working as a duo with mostly traditional Scottish material, The Corries took musicality and professionalism to new levels in Scotland, delighting audiences with their witty, joyful and poignant performances and inspiring the following generations of musicians. The Corries are responsible for Scotland’s unofficial national anthem, Flower of Scotland, composed by Roy Williamson and sung to great effect when Scotland took the Rugby Grand Slam in 1990. Since Roy’s death Ronnie has sung the song all over the world, done much to make it instantly recognisable wherever it is heard, and campaigned for its official recognition. There is more to Ronnie Browne than music though. He is also a gifted artist, a portraitist of distinction, who has received both critical and commercial success from childhood to the present day. He met his wife, Pat, in school and remained in this one partnership, the most important of his life. Together they had three children and four grandchildren. In That Guy Fae The Corries, Ronnie Browne writes revealingly of his childhood in pre-War Edinburgh, of The Corrie Folk Trio with Paddie Bell, and The Corries throughout their existence, of the many famous musical personalities he has rubbed shoulders with through the decades, of family, travel and his life as an artist. It is a book that will illuminate an era from one of its brightest stars.

Hardcover

First published May 21, 2015

Reviews

[Kevin Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd attended the speaking tour that accompanied the books release, but hadn't picked up a copy at the time.

Reading this now brings back the memory of the warm funny, and emotional man I remember from that speaking tour. A brief scan of the book would suggest someone obsessed with money, given the extensive detail on display, but when your primary source (apart from your own memory) is your financial records that can be forgiven.

A fascinating insight into the life of a singer, artist and personality.

[Ginebra Lavao Lizcano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uh I don't know. Quite unimpressed. There were so many details about home purchases and specific events that I easily lost track of what the book was about. I have read biographies before about people I did not know much about and they managed to entertain me better than this one did. I cannot think of anyone but of a very few Corries fans to actually be curious about some of the information that this book contains.

[Mairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personable account of the life and adventures of Ronnie Browne. His attempt is to show his life as more than just one of the Corries, and this he does. It's also a loving tribute to his wife Pat.