CELEBRATING his 70th birthday and his 50th year touring, Scottish singer-songwriter Rab Noakes has launched his EP, ‘The Treatment Tapes’.

Early in 2015 Rab was diagnosed with tonsillar cancer.

From March to May that year the treatments took place; 30 early morning radiotherapy sessions and two chemotherapy overnights. It’s rigorous stuff and rendered him inactive for a few months.

He wasn’t inactive for any longer than was necessary though and was soon back in action.

The songs on this EP were written during the post-treatment period and were part of that process. They were recorded chronologically so their performances reflect that progress.

There was one initial session in December 2015 followed by one in April 2016.

There’s no self-pity though, here you’ll find defiance, resilience, love, support and wit.

He said: "When something like this happens to the likes of me at least I know I’ll probably get a couple of songs out of it.

“It sounds a wee bit flippant and it does puncture the tension a bit. Truth is, though, it’s what we do creatively. We utilise experience and observation of, and response to, life’s ingredients, add a helping of imagination and deliver a work.”

Rab will be playing at The Old Fruitmarket as part of Celtic Connections on Thursday, February 2. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are £16.

For more information, go to rabnoakes.com or call 0141 353 8000 for tickets.