Edwyn Collins is a Glaswegian musical icon, and as the former singer of Orange Juice, has had a direct influence on more than a few Scottish bands, including such A-listers as Belle and Sebastian and Franz Ferdinand. In the past five years, however, Collins has had difficulty enjoying his legacy due a debilitating stroke suffered in 2005, which nearly killed the 50-year-old.
Now, he is finally returning to songwriting, and will be releasing a new track called "I'm Feeling Lucky" on the collaboration album Mavis, which was compiled by producers Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris as a tribute to R&B icon Mavis Stapes.
Speaking to BBC 6 Music about the song, Collins said, "It's the first song after my stroke. It was difficult in a way, but the lyrics are simple and direct."
Rather than dwelling on the troubles of the past few years, which found Collins partially paralysed, unable to strum a guitar and entering a lengthy rehabilitation program, he added, "'I'm Feeling Lucky' is about positive music. It's inspirational, in a way."
The song will also feature a guitar solo by Collins's 19-year-old son William, of which the singer says, "It's a great solo, an exciting solo and I like it."
Luckily for fans, this is just the beginning of Collins's return to music. He has been working on a new solo album, his first since 2007's Home Again (which was written before his stroke), and has penned 11 new songs, including one with Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. Talking about the album, Collins enthused, "I'm really happy with the results. It's great, it's exciting, it's positive it's happening again once more."
The stroke is still an obstacle, but Collins is learning to overcome it, stating, "I'm still learning five years down the line. I've got a long way to go, I'm getting there slowly. It's taking a long time and I'm finally raring to go."
You can hear the whole interview over at BBC 6 Music.
Now, he is finally returning to songwriting, and will be releasing a new track called "I'm Feeling Lucky" on the collaboration album Mavis, which was compiled by producers Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris as a tribute to R&B icon Mavis Stapes.
Speaking to BBC 6 Music about the song, Collins said, "It's the first song after my stroke. It was difficult in a way, but the lyrics are simple and direct."
Rather than dwelling on the troubles of the past few years, which found Collins partially paralysed, unable to strum a guitar and entering a lengthy rehabilitation program, he added, "'I'm Feeling Lucky' is about positive music. It's inspirational, in a way."
The song will also feature a guitar solo by Collins's 19-year-old son William, of which the singer says, "It's a great solo, an exciting solo and I like it."
Luckily for fans, this is just the beginning of Collins's return to music. He has been working on a new solo album, his first since 2007's Home Again (which was written before his stroke), and has penned 11 new songs, including one with Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. Talking about the album, Collins enthused, "I'm really happy with the results. It's great, it's exciting, it's positive it's happening again once more."
The stroke is still an obstacle, but Collins is learning to overcome it, stating, "I'm still learning five years down the line. I've got a long way to go, I'm getting there slowly. It's taking a long time and I'm finally raring to go."
You can hear the whole interview over at BBC 6 Music.