Ad Vanderveen

Ad Vanderveen has earned a reputation as one of the best singer/songwriters in the new folk and roots genre. Although born a Dutchman (Hilversum, 1956), half his family are Canadian and it's this part of the world his musical roots can be traced to. Since the days before it was called Americana Ad has been exploring his songwriting muse through a mixture of rock ‘n' roll, folk and country, working in many bands before finding his own voice as a solo artist in the early 90s. His music covers a wide range of styles, from intimate acoustic songs as a solo performer with singer and companion Kersten de Ligny to expressive and extensive electric improvisation with his garage band The O'Neils, as well as everything inbetween. Over the years Ad has built up an impressive catalog of 16 solo CDs and numerous side projects, working with many great musicians all over the world such as: Al Kooper, Al Perkins, Leland Sklar, Herman Brood, Flaco Jimenez, Iain Matthews, Eliza Gilkyson, Eric Andersen, David Olney, to drop a few names. Ad Vanderveen 's live and record performances have garnered him high praise from critics as well as from a long list of renowned colleagues. His excellent reputation as a singer/songwriter and performer is spreading, both in the old world and the new. QUOTES FROM PRESS AND PEERS: “ Ad Vanderveen sings with understated but real emotion. He is an inventive guitarist. He writes with true poetic sensibility. Yet he never sings or plays to merely show off. His music has an honesty and humility that is remarkable". Singer/songwriter David Olney “ Ad Vanderveen; How did a Dutch guy inherit the soul of Americana? He is the real thing, a musical adventurer with the true gift of total musicianship. It's not just that he can write, sing and play his instrument with total versatility and command of his craft...it's that he draws from the deepest water in the well, the music that speaks of the spirit and the quest for self understanding”. Singer/songwriter Eliza Gilkyson “ AV's songs are life itself. No hidden agendas and no punches pulled. He has both the love and adoration of his growing army of convertees and the unwavering respect of his peers". Singer/songwriter Iain Matthews “ Ad Vanderveen's melodic and heartfelt songs slip into your mind like a brand new friend you feel like you've already known for years”. Singer/songwriter/novelist Richard Dobson “Ad Vanderveen is a gem. We have known this for a long time in the Netherlands and I'm happy to learn that the rest of the world has caught on some time ago. One need only listen to his huge and now internationally acclaimed repertoire to be convinced that he is not only a very accomplished guitar player, but also a superb singer/songwriter. Lyrics that stay with you and deserve another listening, and another one”. writer/journalist Jan Donkers "I first encounterded Dutchman Ad Vanderveen's songs on More Than A Song, a very nicely produced song pull with old friends Iain Matthews and Eliza Gilkyson. Fine as MTAS is it didn't quite prepare me for AV's solo work. Ad Vanderveen stretches impressively as a songwriter and performer in several directions. Oddly the specter of Neil Young hovers over his music. Hey, if you want to borrow, borrow from the best! But don't take this NY tribute thing too far; Vanderveen is clearly his own man, an excellent musician on a variety of instruments and a songwriter to take note of. His songs have evolved their own voice". Michael Tearson, Sing Out! Magazine “ You wouldn't think that one of the best singer songwriters in the new folk and roots genre would hail from the great state of the Netherlands, but he does. This is easily Ad Vanderveen's best album yet. Thoughtful, gentle, but edgy songs that linger long after the disc is over. The perfect record for the season”. Cloud Of Unknowing , Village Records “ pure Americana. With his musical roots in Canada, Ad Vanderveen has a beautiful repertoire of songs that he sings well and a guitar style that is happy either flatpicking or finger style (clawhammer). The wonderful songs just kept flowing and “Life's A River” , “Whose Blues?” , “This Fleeting Life”, First Feeling” and “If My Eyes Were Blind” are just a few of the excellent entries in this man's songbook. Ably accompanied by Kersten Deligny on backing vocals and Jim Morrison on violin, this was a truly enjoyable experience”. Peter Coulston, Last week in London - The Green Note “ Ad may be Dutch, but his music is a dead ringer for classic-period Neil Young. Tracks like Blues So Bad could've come straight off Harvest. That's no disrespect for this little-known (in the UK) artist who's released 16 solo albums to date. If Bob Harris hasn't discovered Ad yet, it won't be long! Completely overlooked untill now, you'll be hearing more of this artist”. Trevor King , Record Collector