We had supported the great Vin Garbutt earlier in the year at The Milkmaid Folk Club in Bury St Edmonds and had had a wonderful night. So, it was with a jaunty Friday night spring in our steps that we set off for the Cambridge Folk Club where we had been asked to support him again.
Cambridge continues to be such a supportive club for us and it is always a real pleasure to return there, - but this was doubly so with a chance to meet up with and say hello again to Vin Garbutt. Given we were the support act, there were no other acts other than Vin and ourselves.
Vin has such a kind disposition. There are some artists (often much less well regarded than he is, but which I won’t name) who disdain to spend too much time talking to or listening to support acts; not so Vin. He knew who we were, was quick to come over and say hello, was kind enough to say he was looking forward to listening to us again and, indeed when we were playing, he was listening.
Not surprisingly, Vin had attracted a full house for the event and this was great for us too. We did a half hour set which was really well appreciated, including a second run out for The Silver Duro, which is now really beginning to settle in and which got some really great feedback afterwards.
With the help of the ever friendly Cambridge Folk Club team, I was able to try again with my fag packet sized video recorder, to get some footage of us for You Tube. Sound maestro Howard’s sticky tape appeared to do the trick in securing the recorder to the top of an air conditioning switch box ‘thingy’ on the wall - and I hope that we will soon have a few tracks from the evening up on You Tube to have a look at.
Vin was absolutely on top form. Within minutes, he had that audience completely enthralled, totally focused during his songs, and rockin’ with mirth between them. His gentle sense of humour and penchant for clever puns is wonderful to behold.
There has been talk of us possibly supporting Vin again at a London venue in 2012. I sincerely hope it comes off – we’d love to support him again, providing Vin doesn’t think we are stalking him.