"The Father of New Zealand folk music."

 Reviews

"After supper we were fortunate to have Phil Garland, one of New Zealand's true treasures perform…… Phil's songs of droving, shearing and swaggies illustrate the great similarity of experience between life in the New Zealand bush and that of this country. His programme also contains poetry and a good sprinkling of great yarns…… It was all over far too soon."
- Don Fraser - Ringwood Folk Club Melbourne 2009

"Phil Garland is a unique ‘Songcatcher’ who has spent forty years writing, recording and collecting Kiwi folksong, winning numerous awards and gaining international respect as New Zealand’s “foremost and finest heritage balladeer."
- Canterbury Folk Festival - Easter 2004

"There is great warmth in a Phil Garland concert from his song of greeting “How Are You Mate?” to his final encore “So Long Mate.” – “It’s easy to see why he is New Zealand’s foremost folk singer and folklorist, for not only is Phil a collector of New Zealand’s folk music, but he is also a fine songwriter.” – “His songs have catchy choruses which the audience could easily pick up and sing along. He has left behind a growing legion of fans in Brisbane."
- Julie Dendle – Brisbane Folk Rag, September 2004

"His music introduces you to the musical heart of New Zealand and its people"
- Victor Harbour Folk Festival, Australia: October 2001.

"I had the pleasure of catching Phil Garland's Brisbane concert on Saturday night. What can I say? Wow! He was fantastic! Thoroughly entertaining, with tall tales, beautiful songs and lovely guitar work."
- June Nichols - Folk Rag, Brisbane: September 2001

"As an interpreter of New Zealand's folk and country heritage, Phil Garland is without peer. He must surely have a reasonable case for being regarded as a National Living Treasure."
- Christchurch Press

"A National Living Treasure"
- Sunday Times

"The Voice of the bushman, shearer, drover, miner and swaggy"
- Auckland Folk Festival

"Phil Garland's bush poetry and yarns had the audience in fits..."
- Palmerston North Folk Festival

"New Zealand's Leading Folksinger"
- Vancouver Sun

"The Master of New Zealand songs and verse"
- New Edinburgh Folk Club

"Crafted Colonial Story-telling: Heart Warming Songs and Patter"
- Christchurch Press

"One of the World's Best Folklorists"
- Port Fairy Folk Festival, Australia

"New Zealand's most seasoned folk performer and entertainer"
- Wellington Folk Centre

"Living folk legends such as Phil Garland need little affirmation of their standing in the Hall of Fame....this style of folklore is timeless, delivered in the Garland style as reassuring as it was compelling. Naturally he won an encore and got audience participation just as easily as he won their hearts!"
- Allan Francis - Christchurch Press

"Godfather of Kiwi folk and a voice of New Zealand, Phil Garland celebrated his country's human and physical geography in uncluttered and straightforward fashion. The songs were of the heart, describing places, personalities and events with directness and strength. Even at a time when fashions dictate, Garland's music returns to those things which stir our spirits, evoking a sense of time, place and people in moods travelling from nostalgia and poignancy."
- Christopher Moore

. . . and many, many more . . .

Phil Garland

Physical Address:
10a St Leonard's Street
Culverden

Postal Address:
P.O. Box 23
Culverden
Nth Canterbury 7345
New Zealand

Ph/Fx: +64 3 315 8324
Mob: 027 271-8724
phil@philgarland.co.nz

Lyrics: "The Stable Lad" "Tuapeka Gold" "Wind in the Tussock" "Kawarau Gold" "Faded Pictures"

Updated: February 3, 2010