01/12/2025
Whilst the final chart of the year has been published we couldn't resist one final review. It is a song from an absolute Scottish Icon so a massive thankyou to Catherine at CJC promotions for bringing us the latest single from ex Bay City Roller Eric Faulkner.
Best known as the guitarist/songwriter of The Bay City Rollers, has reinvented himself as a thoughtful and passionate solo artist. While fans still remember the tartan-era hits that made him a global star, Eric’s solo work reveals a
deeper, more reflective musician — one who has weathered life’s storms and emerged with songs full of substance and soul.
His music now blends folk, acoustic rock, and protest song traditions, drawing inspiration from personal experience, political awareness, and a strong sense of humanity. With a rich voice and expressive guitar playing, Eric connects with
audiences on an intimate level, sharing not just melodies, but messages.
Far from resting on past fame, Faulkner has carved a meaningful path in the contemporary folk/ acoustic music scene. His
performances are honest, often poignant, and always engaging, with his Scottish humour never too far from the surface — a true artist who continues to evolve and inspire. His musical journey began with him playing viola in The Edinburgh Schools Orchestra. At thirteen years old he formed his first high school band, Kip, whose line up included the now famous actor, Kenny Stott. This period and his early Bay City Roller days feature in the first volume of his autobiography, “An Edinburgh Lad”, (available on BandCamp). In recent years Faulkner has performed at acoustic festivals, Arts Centres and more intimate shows in community centres,
libraries and singer-songwriter circles. Sitting in for an AWOL Jake Burns he guitared for Pauline Black's "3 Men and Black". During a show at Guilfest Festival hestilled the crowd with an impromptu acoustic version of the Pink Floyd song, "See Emily Play", in tribute to the recentlydeceased Syd Barrett. Then after the set he wandered into the UNISON Trade Union tent to play a set of his own work/protestsongs – beliefs and ethics that he inherited from his father's left-wing views. Since then he has performed at various Trade Union fundraiser/ awareness gigs.
He continued as a solo artist and appeared at the Glastonbury Festival as a protest singer where, at the end of his set, it was arranged for him to introduce the British politician Tony Benn on the Left Field Stage under the banner "Another World Is
Possible".
In 2015 Faulkner contracted Viral Encephalitis which almost killed him and left him with Post- Encephalitic Syndrome. He has since shown support for Encephalitis charities. Recovery has been slow, but he is now working again with the release of
the single "A Joyful Peaceful Christmas", being the first of many planned releases. Faulkner will be releasing an album in the New Year.
...so what of the single; well if it had to be described in two words, they would be heartfelt and emotional. Its one of those that will resonate with the times, it captures the moment, the hopes and fears of this year and provides the aspiration for peace perfectly. It could sit aside Do They Know It's Christmas nicely, a classic song of hope, beautifully written and produced. Its a 10/10 from us.
