In the area of music in which Vin Garbutt performs, there is no bigger star! Vin Garbutt is the funniest and most serious man on the Folk Scene!" He was born in South Bank, Middlesbrough where he discovered Folk Music whilst he was still at school. At the age of 21, he threw caution to the winds and became a professional musician. Armed with the rich repertoire of songs he had amassed, he spent the first summer busking his way around the bars of Spain's Mediterranean coast, and on to Morocco via Gibraltar. It was then that he found he had a talent for songwriting.
In 1972 he recorded his first album The Valley Of Tees. This firmly established him as a singer and songwriter of fine socially conscious, and environmentally aware songs. Throughout the 70's Vin's reputation grew rapidly until he became "the most sought after performer on the Folk Scene".
His songwriting covers topics ranging from, exploitation of foreign workers, to unemployment, to oppression, to abortion, to abuse of agrochemicals, to sexual exploitation, to deforestation, to cosmetic surgery, to the genocide of Timorese people, to road building, to the North/South divide, to foetal experimentation, to industrial polution, to emigration, etc. etc. It is no surprise therefore to find that Vin has ruffled a few ethical/political feathers by his comprehensive range of subjects. His fellow professional musicians were filled with admiration at his gutsy stances - "he really sticks his neck out and occasionally gets it kicked in, but this doesn't stop him, I'm a big fan of his!" - Loudon Wainwright III.
The '90's saw an even bigger explosion of interest in Vin and his work. Trevor Burton of The Move fame saw him perform and handed a tape to Alan Whetton of Dexy's Midnight Runners. He went to see him perform and became an instant Garbutt 'nut', and demanded to produce his next two albums - When The Tide Turns and The Bypass Syndrome. Alan played the original tape to a number of 'Rock Names' who all volunteered to play on these albums including Robbie McIntosh of The Paul McCartney Band.
During 1999 Vin celebrated his 30th year as a professional performer with a world tour playing extensively in the Far East, Australia and New Zealand. Also in 1999 he released his Word Of Mouth CD, which as you can tell by the title, was a statement in itself.
In 2001 Vin was nominated for Folk Singer of the Year and also Best Live Act in the BBC 2 Folk Awards. Subsequently Vin was the winner of The Best Live Act! In 2002 Vin was further honoured by Teesside University when he received the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts. Vin was congratulated as "Teessides roving ambassador of folk music" for performing and writing songs for over 30 years, gaining inspiration from the people and culture of Teesside. He was thanked for his services to the arts and the area of the North East of England.
During 2001 Vin published the first collection of his songs. The Vin Garbutt SongBook. The collection spans his career from The Valley Of Tees written in 1971 to The Troubles Of Erin written in 1999. The book was very popular and inevitably Vins fans were soon asking Where is the CD which matches the book?. So shortly after, Vin issued The Vin Garbutt Songbook CD. This was Vins first ever complilation CD and was very well received. It is popular as a collection but also very popular as a sampler for people who are new to Vins music.
Vins career has continued to flourish and 2004 saw him take on another world tour. Unfortunately in 2005 Vin became seriously ill, subsequently he had to take 6 months off work. Thankfully he soon made a full recovery and got back on the road! An advantage of Vins recuperation period was that he was able to work on his long awaited new album PersonaGrata which was launched at The Sage, Gateshead on October 6th 2005. Vin continues to perform to sold out shows all over the world!
Thanks for becoming a Friend of The Candlelite Vin (I remember you performing at this very club in the 60's). We would really like to have you back and our resident sound man (Roly) knows you well apparently. We're at a new venue which I believe would really highlight you tallents...keep up the Good Work.....Al !!
Hi, Thanks for joining my "Myspace Friends, always nice to make new friends. Please be sure to visit my Profile and my website; www.manneringmedia.co.uk
Any comments are most welcome. Always happy to chat....
Now then, Vin - thanks for the friendswap thingy. Last time I saw you was in a blizzard in a little pub on Dartmoor. Blizzards seem to be a thing of the past, and soon little pubs may be too. Hey ho. If you want a little ditty to sing while putting the whistle down and guitar on, "I've Been a Ploughboy" on my profile might suit...keep hammering-on chords and consciences, mate.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
We are looking forward to you performing here on the 6th Nov, if you have any songs that you could forward to us we would love to add them to our page!
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Hello Vin YOur page just popped up on my ever revolving rogues gallery of friends here so I thought I'd pop past and say hello. Congratulations on 40 years a-singing and a-yarning. Maybe see you at a festival one of these years - or for a curry night in Glenfarg... Best wishes Fil Campbell
Dear Friend I haven't heard from you in a while. I invite you to stop by the site and take a look around. I've added pictures of our Grand Canyon Shows. Drop by and leave a comment! Jeff
Great concert at The Roses Theatre the other night - do come back again soon (and a bonus if you start to do 'Star of the County Down' again!) Peter & Astrid Cripps
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