Vin Garbutt

Vin Garbutt

Vin Garbutt is an English folk singer and songwriter from South Bank, Middlesbrough, in the United Kingdom. Born in 1947 and active until his death in 2017, he works in contemporary folk, folk and singer-songwriter traditions.

Background

Garbutt grows up in South Bank as the son of an English father and an Irish mother. He discovers folk music while still at school and begins performing at the Rifle Club in Cannon Street, Middlesbrough. After leaving school, he takes an apprenticeship at the Imperial Chemical Industries Wilton chemical plant near his home, but later turns to music full time.

At 21, he becomes a professional musician. He spends his first summer busking along the bars of Spain’s Mediterranean coast and then on to Morocco via Gibraltar, and this period is where he finds that he has a talent for songwriting. He also spends time in Ireland in search of his musical roots.

Songwriting and themes

A substantial part of Garbutt’s work consists of protest songs. His writing addresses the Troubles in Northern Ireland, unemployment and wider social issues. His songs are known for being socially conscious and environmentally aware.

He is also known for his spoken introductions between songs, which often take as long as the songs themselves.

Recordings and publications

Garbutt records his first album, The Valley of Tees, for Bill Leader in 1972. This release establishes him as both a singer and songwriter. His later albums include The Young Tin Whistle Pest, King Gooden, Eston California, Tossin' a Wobbler, Little Innocents, Shy Tot Pommy, When The Tide Turns, The By-Pass Syndrome, Bandalised, Plugged!, When the Tide Turns Again, Word Of Mouth, Persona ... Grata and Synthetic Hues.

In 2001 he publishes The Vin Garbutt Songbook, his first collection of songs. The collection spans his career from The Valley of Tees to The Troubles of Erin, and a companion CD follows shortly afterwards. He later issues the documentary and live DVD Teesside Troubadour.

One song, The Land of the Three Rivers from Eston California, is included in Topic Records’ 70-year anniversary boxed set Three Score and Ten.

Awards and recognition

Garbutt wins Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2001 and is nominated for Folk Singer of the Year in the same year, with the award going to Norma Waterson. He receives an Honorary Degree of Master of Arts from the University of Teesside later in 2001. In 2007 he is nominated again for Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, with Bellowhead taking the award.

Later career

During 1999 he marks 30 years as a professional performer with a world tour that takes in the Far East, Australia and New Zealand. He then tours Britain with his “Take It Easy after 30 Years on the Road” shows and releases Word Of Mouth to accompany them.

In 2005 a heart valve problem leads to hospital treatment, after which he recovers and returns to performing. During his recuperation he works on Persona ... Grata, which is launched at The Sage Gateshead in October 2005.