McGinn of the Calton - Matt McGinn

[@ThefightingCelt]

Matt McGinn was a brilliant wordsmith. Among all my collection of rock albums was Matt McGinn's The Two Heided Man Strikes Again. I love the Benny Lynch song. I saw Matt standing at a bus stop in Irvine, Ayrshire, on a hot summer's day in 1976 wearing a coat and hat - I recognised him right away. Little did I know then that he would be dead some 7 months later.

[@frankmurphyburr3598]

I played in a band with his nephew, I wont mention his name, but he knew all the songs and did some tributes too.

[@malcolmmcelhinney4376]

I think it's obvious that the majority of comedians within Scotland take a Small Part of Matt McGinn god bless him

[@killiekentman]

i met Matt in 1976 shortly before he died, in the Eglinton folk club, i was leaving and he said to me, sit in your arse and i'll buy you a pint, so i did and came out at 4am, listening to him, the Sands Family and Alistair McDonald and it was some night, i will never forget. ive still got his music, in Vinyl and CD and still enjoy his music today. i met so many in that folk club, including Danny Kyle,Tich Frier, Brenda Wootton Silly Wizard,and others and have lots of good memories. thanks for keeping Matt's memory alive. Ray

[@schristie1809]

McGinn of the Calton: at last, the story of Glasgow's (and Scotland's) unforgettable jongleur, troubadour, balladeer and very own François Villon - Matt McGinn. Incidentally, I was among those present that infamous night in the back room of 'The Marland' when the 'stooshie' kicked off with Hamish Imlach and we had to pull him off Matt (recounted by Robbie Coltrane at 26 minutes+ into the film). What Matt didn't know (I helped put him on the bus home) was that unbeknownst to us Hamish followed us (including Pete Ross, the guy who was first to jump to Matt's defence and onto Hamish's substantial back - and bite his ear, I think!) to the CND/Committtee of 100 office just off George Square (where we'd gone with a 'cairry-oot' - we had the keys!). About half-an-hour later the door went and there stood Hamish with two or three big mates looking for Pete, who rushed past him and hared off across George's Square pursued by Hamish and co. They eventually caught up with Pete - and put him in hospital for about three weeks! Ross Flett and Ronnie Alexander were there that night too, in fact I think Ross Flett visited Pete in hospital ... It seems Matt and Hamish made it up later. One of Matt's songs, however, is missing from this excellent documentary tribute, one I've been searching for years, but nobody seems to have recorded or even remembered it: 'Bobby Lynn's Shebeen', Matt's tongue-in-cheek paeon to Bobby's Ross Street shebeen, which also happened to double as the base for the Glasgow Federation of Anarchists ... and the starting point for many 'mystery' bus runs to points east, west and north of the Calton in the company of a collection of extraordinary Glaswegian characters who could have been conjured straight out of Samuel Beckett's (or Dashiell Hammett's) literary notebook - all singing Matt's songs!

[@TheWullawonta]

Many Years ago during a concert we were both involved in , Matt and I fell out , badly , I was aged around 28 years old and am now 70 years old . His genious was obvious then as it is now whilst I was a learner at the time. I never had the chance to "put things right " with Matt and rue the day we fell out. I loved the man dearly and still do . Sorry Matt !!

[@SanFranYouTube]

***** Oh Hugh, we all have regrets so please don't punish yourself over that. I'm certain that any wrongs or misunderstandings have been forgiven long, long ago. :-)

[@lilthommodt]

If McGinns energy while performing was any indication; I'm sure he got over it and was just waiting to see you again. Chin up pal, I'm sure he smiles on ya to this day.

[@LeftLib]

Stunning version of "The depth of my ego", I think sang by Kevin Mitchell.

[@derekmcculloch7796]

My lovely wife, Helen, along with her mum, Francess who was Mat's sister, were there on the video. I couldn;t go caus a wis watchin the weans. However, with the exception of Robbie Coltraine's disinterest in the proceedings, it was a great night. Great songs great singers. Good on us Glesga.

[@stephenmurphy3599]

Matt was a genius with words. # I’m thankful today for the very special way nature did decide to mould her # It’s like Burns and you cant pay a Scot a better tribute than that.

[@francisboyle2307]

Mc Ginn was some song writer. and a great poet. RIP Matt.

[@staceyismine]

If only we had the like of Matt mcginn today

[@lilthommodt]

If we had the like of McGinn walking about today, we would have leftie snowflakes melting in a great mass of a puddle on the ground.

[@edwardplatt1147]

Used to have the book and the tape by Stramash. Still have a few Lp's. Great man. Been listening to him since I was a wee bairn.

[@jimlittle588]

matt, some man, still love to listen to all his songs and patter, jim. bristol

[@finlayallisonvideos2396]

Recorded by Stramash 1988 on cassette (Greentrax Records). Stramash featured vocals by Adam MacNaughtan; Anne Neilson; John Eaglesham (concertina); Kevin Mitchell; Bob Blair (guitar) Finlay Allison (guitar, fiddle, mandolin). They all feature on this STV programme celebrating Matt's life at the time of the publication by Glasgow Libraries of the book 'McGinn of the Calton'.

[@SanFranYouTube]

Thank you for this great information. I've added it to the body of the introduction.

[@josephhenry4725]

Who was the singer in the red dress and wearing glasses ? She is brilliant .

[@robertbiggins3693]

distant uncle of mine I belive.

[@josephhenry4725]

Ma people ..glesga made me.

[@normancameron6165]

Miss my old Scotland not the land the junkie

[@27freetime]

At 1.31, would that be a young Nicola Sturgeon ?

[@McGinnfan]

Haha, nope... that was me! I am Matt's youngest daughter, but I am happy with the comparison.

[@SanFranYouTube]

Fantastic. 😊 I hope you’re well. Your dad was the most beautiful of songwriters. I sing Corrie Doon to my Swedish girlfriend to help her sleep.

[@fay791]

Remember ur da playing in the pub on a Sunday night in Hamilton great nights