John is chiefly famous for his self-penned songs about Grimsby and the trawling industry, and new ones such as a new Grimsby song ‘Down Dock’; ‘Little Log Cabin by the Sea ‘(George Formby style) ; and ‘Strong Cup of Tea-O’, went down well . As did new songs about those stalwarts of folk festivals, the sound system engineers, plus one about the charms of fast food establishments.

The spoken introductions gave entertaining backgrounds to the songs and the accent was always on humour , particularly his account of Grimsby Town Council’s misguided venture to film Spike Milligan in an advertisement to boost local tourism

John has a warm personality full of bonhomie, a strong baritone voice with rich timbre,and plays guitar and melodeon accompaniments which are straightforward and uncluttered. He has also written some of the greatest songs on the world folk scene , especially the divinely inspired ‘Fiddler’s Green’, with which he closed the evening. Surely this song will one day be the theme tune for a Hollywood epic about trawlermen : I just hope it happens within his lifetime.

Guest review by : Brian Spencer