DESCRIPTION OF VIN GARBUTT

THE man of British folk music
Throughout the 70's Vin's reputation grew rapidly until he became "the most sought after performer on the Folk Scene". The development of his 'Act' took in songs of the past and his own material, his introductions became more and more zany and funny, and his brilliant tin-whistle playing never ceased to amaze. "Half the fun on some of his numbers is spotting the story he has told you in the song he is singing" - to quote one review. As "THE Man of British Folk Music" in the '80's he was asked to tour abroad: visiting the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Yugoslavia, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Cyprus, Singapore, Thailand, and Bermuda.

modern protest singer
The modern protest singers would appear to have stopped writing because they feel threatened by the protests about their choice of topics. Not so, Vin Garbutt - if it's there, it's there to be discussed! 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. Needless to say there are many traditional as well as fun songs included. 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.

In an attempt to satisfy the demands for his services throughout the world as well as maintaining his huge home based following, he set off around the world in 23 days in 1991. He now does this every year, but sadly from the home point of view it is now taking eight weeks.