this is a tribute to ivor cutler, a man with such insight and steely gentleness he fair takes my breath away, looking always through the eyes of innocence yet with the benefit of experience's wisdom and a fine healthy dose of the absurd. he reveals the silent knownsense in nonsense, he is 'being there' in haiku. alas he is dead, and i will never get that cup of tea.
Ivor Cutler (15 January 1923 3 March 2006) was a Scottish poet, songwriter and humorist. He became known for his regular performances on BBC radio, and in particular his numerous sessions recorded for John Peel's influential radio programme, and later for Andy Kershaw's programme. He appeared in the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour film in 1967 and on Neil Innes' television programmes. Cutler also wrote books for children and adults and was a teacher at A. S. Neill's Summerhill School and for 30 years in inner-city schools in London.
In live performances Cutler would often accompany himself on a harmonium. Phyllis King appears on several of his records, and for a number of years was a part of his concerts. She usually read small phrases but also read a few short stories. The two starred in a BBC radio series, King Cutler, in which they performed their material jointly and singly. Cutler is known to have had a long term relationship with King, but they never married. Cutler also collaborated with pianist Neil Ardley and singer Robert Wyatt.
Many of Cutler's poems and songs involve conversations delivered as a monologue and, in these, one party is often Cutler as a child. Cutler describes poverty and neglect from his parents with great stoicism. He focuses on acceptance and gratitude for the basic elements of life, nature and love, which allows him to make points about mother-love in particular. The humour develops from the child's curiosity and the playful or self-serving lies the parent tells him to get, for example, a chore done or simply to stop the incessant questions. Cutler recited his poems in a gentle Scottish burr, and this, combined with the absurdity of the subject matter, is a mix that earned him a faithful cult following. Cutler was a member of the Noise Abatement Society and the Voluntary Euthanasia Society. He died on 3 March 2006, following his retirement from performing in 2004.
