Ventnor Fringe 2023: Remembering John Renbourn

A recital/workshop recounting John Renbourn's influence on the 60s folk/blues boom. The voice bubble quote in the photo derives from a phone conversation with John. He rang me sounding extremely agitated in his characteristic, tongue-in-cheek way but with a hint of genuine underlying concern.

"Dave y'gotta help me Man.That lecture I told you I was doing in the States which I said was money for old rope is next week and I've just discovered everybody who is anybody is going to be there. Chet Atkins will be in the front row for Christ's sake."

"What was it about again?" I asked. "How the British fingerpicking guitar style came about in the 60s folk/blues boom, WHAT HAPPENED? Come on Man, you were there!"

We kicked ideas around for a while and I mentioned that someone at a folk club in Derby had once asked me if I thought we'd ever hear anyone play Guitar Shuffle live again after I'd done a Big Bill Broonzy song. I'd opined that it was a lost art that died with Big Bill ... yet six months later I was playing it. John whooped and shouted "That's it! Have you got a copy?" And that is how I came to lose my cherished Hollerin’ Big Bill Broonzy E.P. The answer to John's question 'what happened' for many of us however is that John Renbourn happened!

So the show is done in the style of one of his guitar workshops via songs and tunes from his first two albums plus humorous reminiscences of the times I shared with him over nearly five decades. John though touched the lives of a vast number of people, many of whom had ongoing friendships with him, so anecdotes and questions from the audience are also very welcome. I may not be able to answer complex theoretical queries but I can demonstrate some of his technique and share some handy hints from his workshop sessions. In addition there are a couple of john’s favourite songs of mine from hit musical comedy reviews I took to festivals from Edinburgh to Adelaide and used to play when opening for him on tour.

Tuesday 25th & Wednesday 26th July 2023 - 9.30pm - 11pm 
Tickets: £10, Under 25 £5, Children FREE, Culture / Unlimited Pass 2for1 
All Ages