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"The most sought after Act on the scene today. ‘House Full!’ signs are the norm. Because of his popularity, life is one long tour for Vin..... doing what folk singers have done for ages and ages - presenting a different view to that expressed by the media. Vin Garbutt entertains in a unique manner. All his songs are quite serious in content, but the same cannot be said of his introductions! I cannot think of anybody, other than Mike Elliott, who can get away with fifteen minute introductions to a five minute song. Not only does he add new songs to his repertoire but he adds bits to his introductions as well. Half the fun on some of his numbers is spotting the story he has told you in the song he is singing, artistic license is an understatement to say the least!" - Music World


"Teesside's own venerable legend of the folk scene worldwide, Vin Garbutt, is one of those performers whose work is drenched in such passionate fervour one has to listen seriously" - Rock 'n' Reel


"Garbutt’s blend of outlandish humour and powerful songs (usually self penned) turns a live performance into an emotional roller coaster ride. Not for him, songs of loves lost or the navel gazing of other songwriters. Whether he is singing of industrial workers in Britain, chemical weapons in Iraq, toxic sprays in New Zealand, or human embryo research, he grasps many a nettle that others would rather avoid. Share his opinions or not, one has to respect his diversity, intensity and integrity. These songs move the hardest of hearts. " - The Real Groove


"Vin Garbutt’s zany humour can sometimes obscure the seriousness of his songs. He has covered every corner of the U.K. - and much of the rest of the world - presenting his unique mixture of folk songs, repartee and pleasing musicianship. He is admired as a generous live performer who presents a thoughtful and provocative message in his songs." - What's On Inside Cornwall


"Audiences remain faithful to this unique performer who can sting consciences with his songs one minute, and undermine bladder control with his lunatic mirth, the next. This dexterous balancing act, on full show in Perth recently, reveals more depth than the Vin of old.
The years of experience have sharpened the edge of both the humour and the penetrating social enquiry of the songs. These include two of his recent best Darwin To Dilli and When Oppressed Becomes Oppressor, both featured on his album Plugged! They show that he is a force to be reckoned with - not ignored -still pulling no punches and pulling the crowds around the world."- The Living Tradition


"Singer-songwriter Vin Garbutt is not a man to be shackled. Not for him the tyranny of a list of songs carved in stone for that night’s gig. Last night he told an expectant audience packed into the upstairs room of The Black Swan that he was in “random mode” which made the evening ripe for requests. And they came flying in as his fans called out song titles from his vast repertoire. Garbutt sang about the plight of the jobless, pollution, the tragedy of a teenage British soldier killed by an Argentine bullet in the Falklands and about his beloved North East. His patter between songs had the audience helpless with laughter. Yet the guffaws were quickly followed by silence as they connected with his singing and clever finger style guitar.

Garbutt believes in the power of song, which he uses to get his audience caring about the plight of those less fortunate. City of Angels highlights the scandal of child prostitution in Bangkok, the sex capital of the world, while another powerful composition, Darwin To Dili, explores the genocide of the Timorese people. Garbutt’s humanity shines through his art. He is both funny and serious in the same breath and when he sings he becomes a shaman for social justice. Long may he continue." - Richard Foster. The Yorkshire Evening Post on Vin at the Black Swan Folk Club, York, 25-04-2002


"VIN HAS AUDIENCE IN HIS POCKET

A slightly dishevelled middle-aged man meanders onto the stage – two hours later, Britain’s best folk act wanders off with the whole audience in his pocket. I was lucky enough to be part of that packed audience, at The Playhouse 2 theatre in Shaw on Saturday, when the best live folk act of last year (and Radio Two would know), Vin Garbutt, popped in.

The above description is made with all fondness – placed in a mob of the world’s greatest eccentrics, you still could not fail to notice him. Vin is from Middlesbrough, and must be one of the island’s best kept secrets. It is a tribute to his talent that I left the venue remembering his music, because his performances are as much stand-up as folk singer. He ambled onto the intimate stage with his shocks of red hair, pint, whistle and guitar and mumbled a typically warm introduction – but for a few moments I wondered whether he had been with the pint all afternoon. But no, it was a performer comfortable with his routine, which he then began with a tune he said he never began with - afterwards announcing that this merely was to shoot down any expectations we might hold of having a good night. He was unpredictable, witty and wandering in his speech, but often political in his song.

City Of Angels gives a tragic portrayal of Thailand’s millions of exploited children. And Dark Side Of The Moon (one of the few songs he plays which he did not write) refers to the experiences of a Falkland Islander during the war of 1982. Throughout the routine (although that is hardly the word), he emits fantastic mock singing noises, presumably to help tune tone and guitar for the next song ( but reminded me of Vic Reeves in club singer guise). And he frequently appears befuddled as to which song he has just done or what he plans to do next. He informs us that tonight he is in “random mode” and each song is a Christmas hit off his next record.

Introductions to songs become ten-minute sprawling stories. He frequently toasts the audience with his pint and is impressively quick-witted when improvisation and one-liners are called for." - Ben Turner. The Rochdale Observer on Vin at the Playhouse 2 Theatre, Shaw, 27-04-2002.


A mighty combination of song, voice and comedy...

It’s not hard to disregard hype but it is very difficult to ignore it, and I went to Stonehaven on Friday October 5 to listen to Vin Garbutt with my ears ringing with the phrase: &#x201Che’s the best folk singer in Britain and the world!”

That’s a view I had read in several different sources and, while puzzled that Britain and the world were spoken of as being distinct things, I was still expecting to see a top artist-more sources = corroboration = formative opinion.

By the time I was wending my way home I knew what I had to write about Vin Garbutt: a large opening paragraph consisted of one repeated word – “brilliant.” A second paragraph would state: “Vin Garbutt played at the St Leonard’s Hotel, Stonehaven, on Friday, October 5th.” And a third and final paragraph would read: “For more information contact www.vingarbutt.com.”

But that would have been just a visual trick that readers do not really deserve: you need to hear it properly that Vin Garbutt is an astonishing singer.

His song; “Morning Informs On My Dreaming” is about a man divorced from his wife who cannot accept the reality that she’s never coming back and looks to little daily things, like car head-lamps flashing across his bedroom window at night, as marking her return.

If you just for a minute think about the tragedy of such a man – he’s not living a real life is he? He’s little more than a ghost. Garbutt sang that emotion perfectly.

This heart-breaking song was followed by: “The Black Poplar,” a song he was commissioned to write about the rarest tree in England.

And there was also: “The Trouble of Eiren” Which is about the situation in Northern Ireland. I’ve heard one other internationally renowned folk singer sing about this topic and that man could not hold a candle up to what Vin Garbutt did. Garbutt did it right – a song full of sadness.

And between each of his songs Garbutt gave this comic routine, which at Stonehaven had the hall doubling over. It seemed to stem from a personality completely bemused by the world, and especially the world of his native Teesside.

He had one of those impenetrable comic personas-like Eric Morecambe or Tommy Cooper – the kind of thing that some TV stars (Vic Reeves, Ken Dodd) visibly strive so hard to achieve.

Between this comic persona of the highest order and a voice that has massive emotion and power you just didn’t get a rest at this concert – and that’s notwithstanding his musicianship on the guitar and tin whistle.

You just have to see this man perform to see why there is such hyperbole as “the greatest folk singer in the world.” I can’t vouch for that (having not heard all the world’s folk singers) but what I can say is, Vin Garbutt is a mighty combination of, song, voice, and comedy.

Go and see him perform – travel as far as is necessary.

Martin Bayliss. The Leader on Vin at St Leonard's Hotel, Stonehaven, Scotland. 5.10.01

 
Vin sets the standard for the Attic's New Season - Anticipation, Expectation and Surprise

We all get excited at the thought of Birthdays, Christmas and Treats as we imagine how things will turn out - sometimes it works out and occasionally it works out even better - and so it was for the opening concert of the current Attic Season.
With Vin Garbutt, an almost legendary folk superstar, topping the bill the concert was sold out as soon as tickets went on sale in June. As a bonus - support was to be provided by the local group, and Attic favourites, 'Old Pekuliar'
So, following the previous week's successful 'Attic' concert to mark 800 years of Chesterfield's Market, the audience were claiming their seats early, and by 7.15 choices were becoming decidedly limited.
Jim Clarke, the MC, introduced a late change to the program in the form of Bob Fox, nominated for the BBC's Folk Singer of the year in 2003 and 2004, who started the show with a three song set which must surely be an 'appetiser' for his own slot at some future Attic concert.
With more than thirty years in the business Bob wowed the audience with his easy and amusing 'chat' and his unique and polished style singing 'Elsie Marley', 'When the Boat comes In' and the 'Rambling Rover' - the appreciative audience would have asked for more if only there had been more time.
The support act of vocalist Paul Chisnell and Chris Jellis on Guitar are 'Old Pekuliar' who, despite their many appearances at the Attic, still admitted to 'stage fright' at the thought of appearing again after a year's absence, in this friendly, 80 seat venue.
As expected their first set was a mixture of 'modern' and 'traditional' favourites including Simon and Garfunkel's 'Kathy's Song', their own composition 'Home to Me', and Nigel Mazlyn Jones 'The Man and the Deer'. Their first set finished with a superb rendition of 'The Hangman and the Papist'.
Their second set was more of the same and ended with Nielsen's 'Everybody's Talkin'.
The audience and Jim Clarke (MC) then all contrived to get an encore and 'Old Pekuliar' finally finished with Lindisfarne's 'Meet me on the Corner' to loads of applause.
Vin Garbutt was introduced by Jim Clarke as 'The greatest solo performer in the world' which just proves that appearances can be deceptive – Vin looks like a middle aged escapee from a hippie band, who, as he claims himself, would be the person you would cross the street to avoid and wouldn't let loose near your children.
But surprise! surprise!, this amiable and exceptionally talented singer-songwriter will confuse your senses with his brand of humour and some of the most beautifully crafted and heartrending stories contained within his own compositions.
Vin last appeared at the Attic in February 2002 and regularly appears at other venues in the UK and abroad whilst on tour.
Unbelievably Vin's first set only contained four songs – unbelievable because the chat and the stories just filled the time so enjoyably as he set the scene and built up to each one. The songs were 'In the land of the Three Rivers', the beautiful lament 'The Morning Informs on my Dreaming', the socially regretful 'The One Legged Beggar' and a north east protest song 'Not for the First Time'. Only the intervention of Jim Clarke as MC brought Vin's first set to a close in order to take the Interval.
The second set was, if possible, even better - every song had a story, every story had it's humour even when the focus included grief for the unexpected death's of loved ones. The first three songs covered an ex-coalminer who became a famous dressmaker – 'Silver and Gold', 'Neither Wife nor Widow' and Kieran Halpin's 'Nothing to Show for it All'.
Vin's longtime friend and occasional chauffeur, Bob Fox, came on stage at this point to provoke even more humorous 'crack'& banter' and to duet on 'Be as Children' which makes the point that in today's society even when children hurt themselves it is no longer PC, or acceptable, for a grown man to help and console someone else's child.
As 11pm neared and Vin and Bob made to leave the stage the usual demands for an encore arose, and so the evening ended with Vin and Bob singing Phil Millichip's 'In search of the Dirty Black Gold' and then Vin playing us out on the Whistle with the jig 'Catholic Boy', the reel 'Imelda Rolands' and the last jig 'The Green Gates'.

And so the Attic's current season started on a high and continues with the Cannons in October, Les Barker in November and John Howarth and Tony Downes in December.

Information for how to obtain tickets for these shows can be obtained from David Davidson on 01246-277591 or from the desk at the Attic's preceding show - most shows are often sold out on the night.

Review of the performances on Saturday the 18th September 2004
THE ATTIC FOLK CLUB
The Tullamore Hotel, Springbank Road, Chesterfield





The Albums

“The La Jeusseliniere Experience 2002”
by Stan Graham

Take the best live performer on the folk scene today, mix in a great songwriter, add years of experience, a bucket full of humour, bags of personality and you have a recipe for success, or should I say “Coq Au Vin”. Allow yourself time to relax, drink a glass or two of local wine over a thoughtfully prepared lunch, mix in some great music, good company, stir slowly for 5 days and you have “The La Jeusseliniere Experience”

In June of this year I decided to take up Martyn & Dani Wyndham-Read’s invitation to join them at their charming farmhouse in the tranquil Mayenne countryside in Northern France. The idea was quite simple but inspired, to offer people the chance to share and develop their musical and performance skills in the company of some of the best musicians, performers and songwriters on the folk scene. The choice was daunting, Martyn himself would be working for the first week with Iris Bishop, two great songwriters and particular favourites of mine; Jez Lowe and Harvey Andrews would run weeks 2&3 and last but by no means least, the one and only Vin Garbutt, would be let loose on anyone foolish enough to venture across the channel for week 4. As a songwriter I was spoiled for choice, but after much soul searching and several Valium, I decided to join Vin and risk my sanity. My partner Julie, who didn’t need much persuasion, decided to join me and take up Dani’s offer of a leisurely week of arts and crafts or perhaps she would just put her feet up and relax.

I met my fellow students early on Monday morning as we presented ourselves at the door of the farmhouse. Martyn and Dani’s kitchen was already a hive of activity, the aroma of fresh coffee and smiling faces set the scene for the week. No airs and graces here, get stuck in, grab a cup and make yourself at home. Our friendly hosts had worked hard during the winter months to provide the perfect setting for our musical extravaganza. The huge loft space, which ran the whole length of the building, had been converted into a music room, spacious art studio and later to be concert hall. We headed for the music room, crowded round our famous or should it be infamous leader, mouths open wide in anticipation, leaning forward, pens at the ready, doubts filled my mind. I think to myself, this has been a big mistake, what on earth are we going to do for a whole week?

I had no need to worry as we set off at a gallop, Vin started by giving us a fascinating and hilarious gallop through his colourful career and we sat spellbound as folk secrets of enormous proportions were laid bare on the table, budding blackmailers were furiously making notes. In no time at all the morning had flown by and we trooped downstairs to be greeted by Martyn, doing an excellent job as “Manuel” the wine waiter, and one of Dani’s not to be missed and all too tempting lunches. Good food and wine, life was getting better by the minute, but going back to work in the afternoon was looking less likely.

So what did we do all week? Well, there were six students on the course, John our whistle player, Jane and Mick both songwriters, Ian on guitar, Richard (who did a bit of everything) and me of course. So we did all of that and much more, with Vin responding intuitively to our individual and group needs. We learned guitar licks to Vin’s songs and spent hours trying to emulate his easy going but very effective style of accompaniment. We developed some of our own songs, with his valuable help and experience, and of course got to know each other and appreciate the many talents that were assembled in our own small but select group. At one stage like an enthusiastic group of 7 year olds, we played tunes on the penny whistle (my fingers and brain trying desperately to keep up with the numbers) and throughout tried unsuccessfully to maintain a serious academic atmosphere as Vin set off on yet another hilarious diversion, this time brought about by a chance remark picked up in the local bar the night before or was it his inability to pronounce the French word for chilblains. So we continued our French romp “Al a Garbutt” style, laughing and learning, eating and drinking our way through his endless witticisms and drawing on his remarkable talents as a performer, musician and songwriter. The group were getting on really well together and having a great time at “Le Jeusseliniere”. For all of us this was a great opportunity, just as Martyn had envisaged, to learn from Vin’s 30 odd years of experience, and learn we did. Julie meanwhile had been producing major works of art, under Dani’s gentle but firm guidance, colourful creations on canvas, bits of wood, glass jars and flower pots, I particularly admired the portrait she’d done of me as an ever youthful cherub, but next time can I please have some clothes on! On Wednesday we were given the afternoon off for good behaviour, so most set off to explore the delights of the local countryside or visit one the fascinating medieval towns or castles. Thursday evening after another brilliant day, we all treated ourselves to a memorable Gourmet Meal at one of the finest restaurants in the area “La Petit Auberge”. (why can’t we eat this well and as cheap at home) After that there was only one thing to do, go out with a bang! So after another memorable day in the music room, we set about planning for the evenings Gala concert to be attended by the cream of the local nobility. The performances as you would expect were of the highest quality, with cameo appearances by Harvey Andrews, Martyn and Vin. The stars of course were the students, playing and singing out of tune but with remarkable confidence and gusto, instilled upon us by our ever-exuberant guide and mentor. The other highlight being, the massed student whistle band playing our hearts out, totally ignorant of tune or rhythm. Our surrogate parents and teacher looking on in amazement and admiration. The coup de grace was Jane’s fluent translation of the evening’s events in French for our non English speaking visitors. By now I think you might be getting the idea that we were quite enjoying ourselves.

Believe me this was a great “Experience” and one I would recommend to anyone keen to polish up their latent musical talents. I can only scratch the surface to give you a flavour of what you can expect on these fun filled weeks. But be warned, keep this information to yourself, there will only be 8 places on each course next year and one of them will be mine. For more information get in touch with;

Martyn Wyndam-Read
PO BOX 341
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 0YT

Well that’s it, all that remains for me to do is thank everyone I shared this fantastic week with especially Martyn and Dani for the inspired idea and all their hard work and enthusiasm over 4 weeks. I’m just off down to the hairdressers for my perm - I need to prepare for my forthcoming appearance on 'Stars In Their Eyes'.

Stan Graham
York 2002