I was in Virgin Records with a friend around 1976 when we came across Vin's " The Young Tin Whistle Pest " and we both thought he looked completely bonkers. We didn't buy the album (too risky) but later saw that he was appearing at Cramlington Folk Club and went along. What a fantastic entertainer.  We were both hooked and saw Vin many times after that. My friend came away with "The Young Tin Whistle Pest" while I opted for "King Gooden". As we worked in the chemical industry at the time, we were both drawn to "The Chemical Workers Song" I left my job a short time after this. My favourite track on "King Gooden" is "Old Cissy Lee" and you can hear it here: To buy Vin's current CDs, books or his excellent DVD please visit: Vin Garbutt.com where items are usually much cheaper than other online retailers. Please try and support these artists and their families by buying thei...

Hamish is the reason I started going to proper folk clubs. Saw him many times at many clubs most of which are long gone. Bought all his albums until he left the XTra record label when his recordings got more difficult to find, mostly issued on European record labels. I believe he was asked to join The Dubliners when Luke (?) left. Now that would have been something! The song I've chosen "Let Ramensky Go" as well as being one of my favourites, is largely unavailable in the original version from "Before And After". There is a recording on YouTube but it's played at the wrong speed and is unlistenable. Strangely, the song hasn't appeared on any of the compilation albums and as far as I know remains unavailable. This is a live version from YouTube where there are many similar live performances from Hamish. Truly Scotland's leading all round entertainer. Cod Liver Oil and Orange Juice - The Transatlantic Anthology Hamish Imlach Definitiv...

Only got the opportunity to see the Dubs once at Whitley Bay Playhouse sometime before 2005 when Paddy Reilly left. Sadly, Barney took ill before the show (he made a full recovery) and left a big hole in the sound, but Eamonn worked extra hard to fill any gaps and showed what a superb musician he was. The very first Folk album I ever bought would have been by the Dubliners. Pretty sure it was A Drop Of The Dubliners on Major Minor records but too long ago to remember I'm afraid. However, this song is not from that album. I went on to buy many (if not all) of their albums and this is from "Further Along" made just after Ronnie Drew left for the final time. A crackin' band and very sad that Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Bobby Lynch, Ciáran Bourke, Eamonn Campbell, Jim McCann, and Ronnie Drew are now all gone. The Dubliners Further Along Please try and support these artists and their families by buying their books, CDs and DVDs wherever possible...

The first folk club I ever attended was when I was 13 (55 years ago) run by a guitar playing teacher after hours at school. The only 3 songs I remember from that time are: Jug Of Punch, Scottish Breakaway and Marilyn (Monroe) One of the first Folk albums I bought was The Scottish Breakaway (Hallmark) by Alex Campbell. The Scottish Breakaway by Alex Campbell. Jug Of Punch Marilyn (Monroe) Many thanks to that teacher whose name I've long since forgotten. Please try and support these artists and their families by buying their books, CDs and DVDs wherever possible.