Teesside Troubadour

This DVD is undoubtedly the best documentary of a working musician I have
ever seen.
It is beautifully filmed by Craig Hornby, a fellow Teesider, who grabs you
in the first minute of the film and doesn't let you go until the end.
The documentary takes you through Vin's life story, allowing us to be a
fly-on-the-wall, it is interspersed with snippets of his performances from
all over the world.
Vin introduces us to his wife, Pat, his children and his Mother Tessy. We
are taken through moments that are emotional, serious, funny, and at one
point even producing a tear or two!
This DVD is a must for anyone who loves our Vin, and is a must for those who
appreciate the history of Teeside, and of course a must for those who
appreciate excellent music, and patter!
As a bonus, following the 80 minute documentary, is a good hour of Vin's
performances from all over the world.
I unreservedly recommend this DVD. Thank you Vin.

John Robbins. West Sussex

Have a sweet new grandchild, Ella, now 8 months and I play Persona non Grata and she loves it . More than that, I bought it some years back when you came to Cardiff and played it, forgot it etc. etc. Now since Ella, I have been listening and playing this CD and it is just so bloody good - Vin, you are a bit of a genius. Fabulous voice, amazing songs and tunes. I just love these songs and it is Xmas eve before I am off out with the family. Listening to this is a highlight of Xmas 2012. Many thanks Vin and come again to Cardiff. Merry Xmas Pat.

Dvd Review - Fatea Magazine

For those not in the know, Vin Garbutt is the kind of bloke that you would like as your best mate. He could talk the hind legs off a donkey (in the nicest possible way) and his entertaining banter covers the sublime to the ridiculous.

OK with introductions and clichés out of the way this documentary is lovingly crafted by Craig Hornby and should be required viewing by anyone who considers himself a true ‘folk music’ fan. The opening scene shows our hero emerging rabbit-like from his warren (or house in this case) looking onto a glorious vista of rolling hills that you would only normally expect to see on a postcard or the top of a box of biscuits. How any man could be enticed away from such a beautiful setting is beyond me but of course, as is the nature of the beast and to gain that somewhat dubious honour of being a fully paid-up member of the elite band of ‘real’ troubadours Garbutt has to travel far and wide in search of his own personal pot of gold.

Armed with his trusty guitar and tin whistle this most personable balladeer has provided much enjoyment spanning a career that has lasted over 40 years all captured in detail utilising many press clippings and photos along with sound-bites by those lucky enough to count him as a friend. It’s not always been easy sailing but via this informative bit of voyeurism the film certainly captures the mood of someone who has to live their life out of a suitcase.

Whether it be ‘live’ performances in far flung parts of the world or by getting involved in the cultural aspects of indigenous tribes Vin is forever grateful for being given the opportunity to immerse himself fully where many of us are confined to watching cultural exchanges take place through the media of TV.

He is obviously a man who takes nothing for granted and by being captured in such a vulnerable way (through the media of DVD) one can’t help but admire the hard graft Garbutt maintains to this day. Congratulations to Mr Hornby for whom this was obviously a labour of love and also helping to bring vividly to life one of the ‘folk’ scene’s most respected and treasured artists…he deserves it!

Peter Fyfe

Just returned from a visit home to Redcar where I bought two copies of the DVD. One is now on the way to Cambodia where two of my sons are currently living. Thank-you Vin...many happy memories.....makes me homesick watching it!!!

Dear Craig,
I am writing to express my thanks to you on multiple levels.
My wife ordered a copy of the Teeside Troubadour as a Christmas
present for me. Unfortunately, the delivery went missing, but when she
contacted you, you immediately dispatched a replacement. This arrived in
time. We are now sat here on New Year's Day watching the DVD in it's
entirety.
The filming is superb and the scene and song selection is excellent. As a
long time 'Vin' fan, I can't thank you enough for putting this together. We
have both enjoyed it immensely.
I hope to order and enjoy 'The Century of Stone' soon.
Best of luck In your future projects.
Best regards
David A Crinall

Hi CraigJ
Just to say what an excellent DVD you have made of one of my favourite folk singers. You have captured the man that is Vin Garbutt just right in my opinion from his humour to his fine song writing and singing.

Continued success with the DVD

Cheers

Bob

Hi Craig

Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the movie last night. The highlight of Christmas Day. We've been fans of Vin for a long time and the movie was a real pleasure from beginning to end. We've lots of 'folkie' DVDs but nothing of this quality. Very enjoyable and informative and so well made.

Many Congratulations. I'll be recommending the DVD to everyone who'll listen!

Review By TIM MOON, Tykes News (Autumn 2011) Keighley, West Yorks.

Vin Garbutt, as any fool knows, is still major. But not as major as many that came the same route. Mike Harding, Jasper Carrott, Billy Connolly even, all leapt from folk club glory to television and new careers in sitcom, documentary presenting and hit singles, but not Vin. Why? Perhaps because Vin was always a musician who was a good chatterer; no, a brilliant chatterer while the others were comedians who happened to sing and play a bit. An inventive and natural comedic quality. And it is natural. I once, by chance, found myself sitting next to him on a train in Leeds. The conductor came round to sell tickets and approached Vin. ‘Return please.’ says Mr Garbutt. The conductor looked irritated. ‘Where to?’ ‘Err, back here to Leeds.’ said Vin with no sign on his face that he was joking. It was deadpan to match Chaplin. He is a patter man like generations of Garbutts before him, including his dad, which is one of the first things we learn on the DVD. The love of traditional, mainly Irish, music from his mother’s Irish side, the patter from his father’s side. The early years are covered with the standard walking round with old friends looking at the grass where brick and mortar used to stand, Vin with his mother recalling songs and singing together (fade to Vin performing the same song in concert) and views of Teeside. Vin in 1963 in his Beatlesque pop group, Misteeq, so bad they couldn’t get a bass player to join. And there they are with Kathy Kirby, a stunning blonde popstress who ended sadly with problems from lost fame. A vote then for which of the two would survive and still be touring in 2011 would have lost you money. So, then young Vin heads for Ireland and busks his way around in search of his family roots, returns to the UK, heads for the Med and plays for a passed round hat in bars. On return, the work in the steel works becomes a memory and he’s on the path to a life on the road. Well, I’m not here to tell his story because that’s the job of this DVD, a fabulous job it does. The danger with these things is that they stand one viewing and the story is told, but the film’s creator, Craig Hornby, manages to make it interesting enough to bear repeated viewing. A mix of archive film, which, in common with much folk material, is thin on the ground, modern concert material, location shots (Vin sits on a rock above the Tees Valley playing whistle, Vin sits on the steps of Sydney Opera House playing whistle, Vin in a pub session, playing whistle, Vin in a school playing... well, you get the picture), stills, interviews with the likes of Martin Carthy, Ralph McTell, Jez Lowe and others are held together with skilful editing and production. His family play their part, sitting outside their house on the coast above Whitby, showing a genuine love of their father/husband. Perhaps the other reason that Vin remains big in folk, unknown everywhere else, was the stumble he took for his Catholic (with a capital C) views
on abortion around the time of ‘Little Innocents’, and I did wonder how the film would tackle this. It doesn’t blanche, it confronts it, though doesn’t perhaps express the full power of the vitriol that came his way in the folk press at the time. So, the film entertains and informs and it is an item of digital media to grace any shelf, TV, computer, whatever. Finally, hoorah! Those clips of Vin performing are available in full in the extras, which at 60 minutes almost reaches the 82 minutes of the main feature. A few years back we nearly lost Vin as he was laid low by a heart attack... a great quote here, the doctor in A & E looks at Vin’s notes as he lies there and says ‘Vincent Garbutt? There’s a folk singer who lives round here with that name.’ ‘Not for much longer if you don’t get a move on!’ Replies Vin. A patter man, nearly, to the end.
Tim Moon

Review in LANCASHIRE WAKES folk magazine (Autumn 2011 edition).

To his many fans in the UK and abroad, Vin Garbutt is a legend, but to the majority of people he is completely unknown. I first met him in 1971 and I have been an avid fan ever since. Craig Hornby’s new DVD, ‘Teesside Troubadour’ follows Vin around folk clubs, festivals and theatres in the UK, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Europe and we get an insight into his thinking and his values. It gives us a picture to compliment the ones that Vin paints in his songs.

The DVD is a documentary of Vin’s life, his work and his travels. The camera follows him to his home by the coast in Loftus, where his family give us candid views on this challenging yet very warm man. Finally, it documents his achievements and his views on retirement. For those who do not know him, don’t worry – he has no immediate plans to stop!

As the story of Vin’s life and work unfolds, there are short clips of his singing, but very helpfully the producer has added a bonus section with the full version of each song recorded live in various parts of the world. This includes a rendition of ‘Populus Nigra Betufolia’ which, as far as I know, does not appear on any of Vin’s albums. (In case you’re wondering what that’s about: it’s a black poplar tree!)

Vin has a zany sense of humour but there are only snippets of his idiosyncratic introductions on the DVD. What does come through though is his warmth, his insight, and his passionate opposition to injustice. Martin Carthy says at one point in the film, that Vin is more effective by staying ‘under the radar’of wider fame and exposure. I’m not sure about this, but it is clear that his uncompromising stand on some issues have kept him firmly out of many peoples view.

Vin’s voice is warm and strong and his guitar playing compliments his singing well. It has often been said that he can make an audience laugh and cry in a minute. Fans and followers of his music will feel a familiar warmth and even solidarity with this extraordinary musician when they watch this DVD. I especially recommend it to those to whom his name is new. You will want to see him soon, once you have watched it.

Mike Simmons

DVD Reviewed By Pippa Noble / English Folk Dance & Song Society.

So where to start with this interesting and unique portrait of one of our nearest and dearest? As fast as words arrived to describe him, others arrived to contradict – seer and clown, rooted and wanderer, champion and challenger. So, he’s never a
straightforward character to locate. If you’re looking for a way to categorise this particular chap, get ready with an entire pigeon loft, because one roosting space is plainly not enough. Ever since the 1960s, Vin has been racking up the airmiles in a tantalising journey round the planet. For fans, this DVD provides an intriguing insight into the background and makeup of one of our bestloved, yet underrated entertainers, through snapshots of travels, concerts and conversations. Vin Garbutt draws upon tradition and moves it on his songs have the feel of always having been part of us and our history. In answer to the question ‘Where are you from?’ he offers time, place, family and an honesty which is both unnerving and humbling: he makes me think.

Dubbed by his future mother-in-law as a ‘Catholic Communist’, it was clear, even in the early part of his career, that Vin would stir things up. It’s clear that he is held dear by folks all over the globe;
it’s also clear that his inability to keep quiet has stirred up the status quo and tested us all. Yet, as he observes, it’s the opting in to make things a little bit better which counts – the ripple effect.

We are blessed here with the chance to see an individual in context: Vin Garbutt is the product of migration, of the conflict between the end of the industrial revolution and the emergence of a postmodern individualism that leaves us all poorer. Vin cuts through the bull, grasping those he meets firmly by the hand and shaking them up with a dose of laughter and tears. It’s a true gift to be able to make us laugh and squirm at the same time, but Vin
does both. He should be prescribed on the National Health.

http://www.efdss.org/

VIN GARBUTT – TEESIDE TROUBADOUR (DVD)

Before watching this 82-minute DVD we hadn’t actually heard of Vin Garbutt, but by the end we were wondering how we hadn’t. The fact is that this is a man who has never craved commercial success and has always stuck to his principles. He is also a very fine folk musician (singer, guitarist and tin-whistle player) and, above all perhaps, an almost unfeasibly nice person. He is interested in everything and everybody, and deeply touches those he comes into contact with, in places as far afield as Australia, Malaysia, North America and Holland – as well as domestic locations such as the well-established Sage in Gateshead, with which he has a strong connection. What strikes most people interviewed in the DVD is his humour and the charm and passion within his songs.

Vin Garbutt is a Teessider to the core. His music is shaped by local traditions, events and landscapes (both urban and rural). It is also influenced by the folk music of Ireland, where his mother is from. Most of his material is self-penned, and the songs reflect his own passions and experiences, many of which come from his travels around the world. One song in particular that illustrates this is one he wrote about a boy with cystic fibrosis whose mother had such a hard time bearing him and then the emotional journey that the family took. Sadly the boy died when he was only 15 years old. This song really illustrates his concern for people and his philosophical views on life.

This DVD tells you a lot about Garbutt’s life, his career, his family and his views on many things. You also get a chance to listen to his music, and there is an hour of concert footage in addition to the main documentary. If you don’t know about him, getting hold of this DVD is an excellent way to put that right. If you do, you’ve probably seen it already!

DVD REVIEW BY DAVID KIDMAN, FOLK ROUNDABOUT MAG

(a slightly shorter version appeared in fROOTS)

Vin Garbutt is universally recognised as a legend in his own lifetime, a
supreme - and highly individual - entertainer within the field of folk music
(which itself has its fair share of "characters" of course!). This new DVD
tells Vin's fascinating story by casting the spotlight gently on the man and
his music; it takes the form of a definitive and unashamedly affectionate
documentary made by Craig Hornby (Craig's earlier claim to fame was the
excellent film A Century Of Stone which told the story of Teesside's iron
miners).

Its main feature (which lasts close on an hour and a half) mirrors
Vin's own special and continually winning combination of deep musicality and
passionate songwriting and singing, allied to the wit of a genuine raconteur
and a candid and philosophical look at life. Here, as in Vin's own stage
act, humanity and hilarity ride in tandem (even though one or the other may
from time to time threaten to fall off!).

The film naturally brings us the entirely necessary biographical exposition in perspective, including a fair amount of rare archive footage along the way.
Much of this is of historic live concert performances of songs that illustrate
specific events or inspirations; drawn from footage shot all over the world as
well as back in Vin's native Teesside.

Segments of interviews with Vin himself are also
creatively interspersed, the whole giving an exceedingly accurate flavour of
Vin the genuinely unique performer, as well as constituting a well-rounded
portrait of Vin the man. Vin's is an impressive achievement: to have become
(effectively) an institution in the folk world, without the help of a major
label deal or massive media profile but by dint of sheer hard work,
exhaustive touring - and of course, true talent; he does what he does by
doing what he does, as one interviewee puts it so succinctly. Craig doesn't
present a "gushing PR job", but his honest and loving portrait of Vin is
nevertheless an assessment that in the end casts no shadow over the man's
consistent and entirely unassuming integrity. And brief soundbite
reflections from the likes of Martin Carthy, Jez Lowe, Ralph McTell leave us
in no doubt as to how highly Vin's regarded by his fellow-performers, while
a revealing interview with Craig (part of the disc's essential bonus
features) conveys his clear respect and admiration for Vin with refreshing
unsentimentality (for this DVD has been made not out of a blatant desire to
make money from Vin but out of a genuine love for the man and his art).

I've seen Vin countless times over the years, but - as Mick Peat neatly observes
in a soundbite during the "film of the première of the film" that appears as
another of the DVD's bonus features - one sees just snippets of Vin at each
performance whereas this documentary knits them all together in a
wonderfully well-rounded portrait that yields considerable insights. I
myself learnt much, and was especially interested to hear more of Vin's love
for, and proficiency in, the interpretation of traditional song.

The documentary gives a fine perspective on Vin's development as an artist,
yet I was also able to appreciate as never before the sheer consistency of
his performances over the years. Particularly savourable moments for me
include Vin's storming 1980 live rendition of Ron Angel's Chemical Worker's
Song (though Craig has unearthed much valuable club footage), and there's
plenty of Vin's scintillating whistle playing; we also get to meet Vin's family,
not least Pat ("her outdoors"!), but they're evidently lovely folks all; for
through this film we get to share and experience Vin's own unreserved sheer
love of life and all its incidental treasures. I also rather liked the
little segment in which Vin visits Graeme Miles (now there's another man
whose story needs to be told! - oh how ideal a subject Graeme would be for
Craig's skilled approach to documentary!.) as well as the down-home
sequences with old mates Pete Betts and Mick Sheehan.

The supporting programme for the documentary comprises 75 minutes' worth of
"extra features": these include the premìère and interview items already
mentioned, but the lion's share is a whole hour of additional concert
footage, of Vin in all his glory - and absolutely priceless this is too! The
whole documentary is smooth and entirely natural in its flow, the technical
standard is first-class and the editing exemplary; no individual section
outstays its welcome, and the style of presentation (narrated by Craig
himself) is straightforwardly informative and unobtrusive. I can't imagine
it being done better - this is splendid.

Every Vin Garbutt fan will want a copy of this DVD - that much goes without
saying! - but this film also has the power to convert non-believers to the cause,
for it unquestionably conveys the essence of Vin the Teesside Troubadour: the man,
his unbridled integrity and his professionalism, his keen and unwavering artistry.

VIN GARBUTT-Teesside Troubador PAN4DVD

In his chock-full, exciting and controversial life, Vin has built a highly successful one-man folk industry, touring constantly around the world, fans queuing in droves to see and hear him and to buy his CDs from his own exclusive label. Born in industrial Teesside to Mayo parents, Vin’s thick Middlesbrough accent and Irish Catholic heritage create a unique mix; his brilliant comic patter has the packed audience rolling on the floor, and instantly he lands an absolute gut-puncher with amazing guitar and whistle mastery, impassioned singing and searing, totally honest songwriting that pinpoint relevant issues.

Craig Hornby’s marvellous, fact-packed documentary captures Vin the turner who quit the steel mills to play guitar, the stupendous artist, great listener, voluble raconteur and family husband, who happily muses: Why retire when he’s enjoying himself so much? Among the extras, there’s a great 60-minute bonus of Vin in concert – well worth it.

Mick Tems - Taplas Magazine, Cardiff.

Vin Garbutt: Teesside Troubadour

I approached this with some trepidation. I was expecting an amateur vanity production only of interest to Vin Garbutt diehard fans. How pleasantly surprised I was, then, to find a truly professional production replete with historical and social commentary that held my attention throughout. In fact, I’ll go further: I was fairly indifferent to Vin Garbutt before watching this film; now I have a new respect for a man who, controversial though some of his views may be, is never less than passionate – and funny!

The film takes you through the various stages of his life as a troubadour, travelling from his home base in Teesside to Australia, Malaysia, USA, Canada and Europe making people laugh and cry in equal measure, juxtaposing daft humour with gut-wrenching songs. But always returning to where his heart lies – in his family and roots in the north-east of England.

Vin Garbutt has, like so many professional folk singers, never achieved fame and fortune. Yet, as the film confirms, he’s comfortable being ‘below the radar’, building a faithful following and having an influence when it matters. It becomes clear that you’re not watching an ‘act’; rather, you’re embracing a whole person, imperfections and all. He has the uncanny knack of drawing you into his world, a world where time and place are everything and where lives of ordinary people become mini epics in the songs that he writes. The songs are of steel workers, trees, love, injustices in East Timor and the rivers and valleys of Teesdale. He has the rough edge of someone who’s had to sing above the noise of a crowded pub; yet the film is also testament to the warmth and charm of a family man whose wife and four children clearly adore him.

So this is £15 worth of social history, a rare glimpse at the life of a modern bard armed only with a guitar and a whistle, but whose charisma has carried him through, even to the extent of being awarded an honorary MA from Teesside University for being an ‘ambassador’ for the region. The extras on the DVD include full performances of 14 songs plus some additional interview footage. So if all you want is Vin Garbutt in concert, you won’t be disappointed.

Above all, though, buy this because of the quality of the film, the deep respect film maker Craig Hornby has for his subject, and because it’s a rare glimpse into the life of a folk singer who’s never tired of the road.

Jon Bennett
http://www.shirefolk.org.uk/

VIN GARBUTT ‘Teesside Troubadour’
Dir. Craig Hornby / Pancrack Pictures PAN4DVD

Vin is universally recognised as a legend in his own lifetime, a genuinely unique entertainer within a folk scene which has it’s fair share of ‘characters’. This new DVD, made by Craig Hornby, casts the spotlight gently but firmly on the man and his music, basically taking the form of a definitive documentary. The main feature details Vin’s special qualities: passionate songwriting and singing allied to the wit of genuine raconteur and a candid and philosophical look at life - ably mirroring his stage act, where humanity and hilarity ride in tandem (even though one or the other may sometimes threaten to fall off!). The film naturally furnishes us with all the necessary biographical exposition as well as expounding many of the stories behind the songs (effectively told with a generous amount of rare archive material to give due perspective).

Craig’s unashamedly affectionate portrait of Vin is no gushing PR job, but a proud, honest and loving - and accurate – portrayal of the very essence of the man. Vin’s is an impressive achievement: to have become an institution in the folk world, without the help of a major label deal or massive media profile but by dint of sheer hard work, exhaustive touring and of course real talent. Vin does what he does by doing what he does (as one interviewee puts it so succinctly), and brief soundbites from the likes of Martin Carthy, Jez Lowe and Ralph McTell leave us in no doubt as to how highly Vin is regarded by his fellow performers.

Although Vin is best known for performing his own songs and those of his contemporaries, the film also contains salutary reminders of his great aptitude for interpreting traditional song – and revelling in (seemingly effortlessly) playing whistle tunes at every opportunity! Craig has unearthed much invaluable club footage for us to savour, including a storming 1980 rendition of Ron Angel’s Chemical Worker’s Song, while among the most treasurable reminiscence sequence we encounter songwriter (and ex-Teesside Fettler) Graeme Miles and old mates Mick Sheehan and Pete Betts, and were also introduced to members of Vin’s family.

The whole film flows entirely naturally. The technical quality is first class and the editing exemplary. The supporting programme comprises 75 minutes of ‘extras’, including a glorious hour’s-worth of concert footage and a revealing auteur style interview with Craig. All of which adds up to an indispensable portrait of a folk icon whose total artistic and personal integrity, and irrepressible sheer love of life, radiates through every moment of the DVD.

DAVID KIDMAN – fROOTS magazine Aug-Sept 2011 Issue

DVD REVIEW - Vin’s wife, Pat, who he met in Farningham, Kent and married in ’79 says he goes for a walk and takes four times as long as everybody else, because he has to study and look at everything. He is so interested in life and meeting people. This DVD is wonderful entertainment because of this – he is full of life and wonderment. From his earliest days in Southbank, remembering school with Pete Betts, walking along Napier Street, calling for Graham Miles to his world tours. His mum Tessy was always singing in the house (she was one of the Kelly’s from Ireland) and when he first went to folk clubs recognised a lot of the tunes and songs and became totally immersed in the folk world. He joined the Teeside Fettlers with Graham and turned professional in 1969 – he says the best thing he ever done was leaving Wilton ICI and going on the road. Six months busking in Spain, playing and singing the bars then home to Teeside.

Gigs followed and writing songs and then in 1973 he played the Philadelphia Folk Festival to incredible audiences. Dotted throughout the DVD are performances from his local school, the kids loved him, Twickenham Folk Club, The Sage Gateshead, Blubberhouses and his international tours to Canada, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Malaysia & Europe. There is snippets of over twenty songs including ‘Wilf Mannion’, ‘Slaggy Island’, ‘Troubles of Erin’, ‘The Land of Three Rivers’, ‘Valley of Tees’, ‘Man of the Earth’, ‘Chemical Workers Song’, ‘Punjabi Girl’, ‘Loftus Emigrant’, ‘When the Tide Turns’. He’s very proud of his Teeside heritage.

His four kids Tim, Katie, Emma and Louis are fully supportive of dad and give lovely happy reminiscences of moving to a virtually derelict house (photos confirm this) and living in two caravans whilst making it habitable.

After his sixth album, he seemed to be put into a ‘media shadow’ after his pro-life beliefs were aired and writing a song about a child born with spina bifida. Booed off stage at Cambridge Folk Festival and never featured in FRoots. Conversely, there are many accolades from fellow folkies – Martin Carthy, Jez Lowe, Graham Miles, Ralph McTell, Paddy McEvoy and playwright Gordon Steele as well as various fans around the world. Touching moments include a duet with mum (now 88), daughter Emma’s wedding and becoming a proud granddad.

A lady in Australia organised a surprise birthday treat for her dad, a long term fan of Vin’s and there is a very emotional meeting. He enjoys his songwriting and says writing protest songs is like being a musical journalist – conveying stories through music. He has never become a ‘diva’ – although he has worldwide acclaim he still attends his local folk club and joins in pub sessions. When he was ill with heart problems he joked with the medical staff. The doctor mused on his name and said there’s a folk singer locally of that name. Vin’s reply ‘Not for long if you don’t get on with it’.

With scenes of tours, folk clubs, working in his garden and the beautiful Yorkshire moors and photos of past times. Vin is not only a Teesside Troubadour but a worldwide troubadour who so enjoys life. Long may he continue to do so.
Don’t miss him at Broadstairs Folk Week.

Kathy & Bob Drage / Around Kent Folk Mag.

DVDs — we don’t get many of them at Stirrings Central. And when we do, they’re usually In Concert documents of our heroes working an audience in a well-lit auditorium. True, you get an hour’s worth of concert footage of Vin Garbutt here, but that’s essentially a bonus feature. Teesside Troubadour is a documentary-style melange of fly-on-the-wall, live concert and rare archive footage interleaved with interviews with Vin himself, his friends, family, fans and fellow musos. In fact it sets out to tell his “unique story”, a story of forty years on the road living the troubadour life.

Craig Hornby, the mastermind behind the highly-regarded A Century In Stone, followed Vin around Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Europe, and the pubs, street corners and sea cliffs of Teesside, trying to pin down the Garbutt magic. Does he succeed? On the whole, I think he does. It certainly left me with a renewed admiration for Vin the man as well as Vin the performer.

Vin Garbutt is not a man who floats everyone’s boat. He has a wild, declamatory singing style and a set of unfashionable opinions, and he has not been known to compromise with either. For all that, he enjoys a wide and fervent fan base, both in Britain and abroad. What’s his secret? Well, for one thing he seems to have that elusive quality, the common touch. People seem to be able to relate very closely and directly to what he says and sings about. And his patter is hilarious, his comic timing impeccable: these things help too. He first made an impact on the national folk scene in the early Seventies, and there’s some priceless period footage here of his tousled younger self filling festival marquees with gales of laughter and applause. At an early stage in his career he escaped the gravitational tug of Albion and established himself as a touring attraction in far-flung regions of the globe. In this he was often a pathfinder: today’s touring circuit in Australia is one that he pretty much staked out himself.

For all his globetrotting, however, Vin’s roots are sunk deep in his native Teesside. Songs such as Slaggy Island Farewell and Valley Of Tees are chronicles of times now lost, communities now scattered. It’s an area in which he’s always lived, growing up in industry-scarred South Bank and in later life picking up a cliffside cottage for a song (aptly enough) when it was virtually a shell, and transforming it into a desirable bijou residence through the sweat of his own brow—and that of his wife Pat. You’ll be impressed by the “before” and “after” shots.

A friend of his, interviewed here, depicts Vin as a “bardic” figure. “He even looks like a bard!” Cue an early Seventies shot of Vin with a funny-shaped guitar. In those days, of course, even The Spinners looked bardic; but traditionally it was the role of the bard to preserve the memories of the tribe, the community, and a good case can be made for Vin’s doing just that through his songs and the affectionate social detail of his inspired ramblings.

Documentary portraits can be a bit static, so it helps if there’s a bit of narrative shape to things. In Vin’s case, this is provided by two life-changing events. The first we’ll return to in a moment; the second was his recent heart attack. Typically, he manages to make a joke of it. As he tells it, he’s in the emergency ward awaiting life-saving surgery, and the consultant is reading his case notes. “Vincent Garbutt?” says the doc. “Fancy that. There’s a folk singer called Vin Garbutt who lives close to me.” Vin, from his bed: “He won’t be for much longer unless you get a move on...”

And the other one? In 1982 he released an album called Little Innocents. The title track was a passionate polemic against abortion on demand, at the time—and still today—a liberal shibboleth. A lot of people were confused and angered by this, especially as he was generally perceived as leaning towards the left politically. Controversy raged, he was heckled onstage at Cambridge Festival, his record company dropped him. He responded by writing other songs that challenged the left-liberal consensus, all of which were informed by his passionate Catholic faith. In the eyes of many, the cheeky chappie, the Slaggy Island bard had morphed into a reactionary pulpit-thumper. The ripples extended beyond the folk scene. There’s footage here of Vin being interviewed by Ludovic Kennedy on a tv discussion programme, sat next to two furious-looking unidentified women. This was the start of his life in the “media shadow”—which seems to consist largely of not being asked back to Cambridge, and being ignored by fRoots. Meanwhile, amid the pro-life philippics, he continues to sing songs like When The Tide Comes In and Where The Hell Are We Going To Live? which tick all the left-liberal boxes. A hard man to pin down.

Teesside Troubdour doesn’t pretend to be an objective warts-and-all portrait. The voice-over is admiring, everybody interviewed avers what a fine fellow he is, and he comes across in performance and in discussion as immensely likeable and sincere. There’s nothing remotely embarrassing or compromising in the so-called “fly-on-the-wall” sequences. In fact, there’s an occasional sense that not everything we see is as spontaneous and uncontrived as that description suggests. At one point, Vin emerges from a train, conveniently at the exact point on the platform where the camera is stationed. Elsewhere, he’s shown having a private, prayerful moment in a chapel, from three separate camera angles. Not exactly private, then...

But these are small cavils. You could argue that that’s just the nature of the medium: to show the truth you sometimes have to tell a little lie. I’ve no doubt that you’ll come away from this film feeling you know him better and like him more. And if you already like his music, the bonus concert footage will be an hour well-spent, and one that you’ll want to spend again, on a regular basis.

Raymond Greenoaken, Editor, Stirrings Mag, May 2011 http://www.stirrings.org.uk/

A number of years ago Vin Garbutt had a T-shirt and tour commemorating 25 years of Successful Anonimity, well we've moved on a few years since then but the words still apply, Vin is the ultimate "under the radar" performer and it really is a travesty, which this DVD just might go a long way to correcting.

Vin Garbutt, quite frankly is UNIQUE, an absolute "one off". He may not fit the mould of the quintessential FOLK SINGER but he is, without a doubt, one of folk musics true gems and THE TEESIDE TROUBADOUR gives an insight as to why. You'll get a window into the man and the performer, his strong beliefs, what shaped him and just how endearing Vin is as a performer and a person.

His music and philosophy have been part of my life for many years now, he's made me laugh, he's made me cry and always makes me think!!, you can't say that of many of today's "false gods of music".

Unfortunately we know this DVD will not get the exposure it deserves, but we live in hope. If you appreciate true artistry BUY THIS DVD, Vin is a one-off, you wont regret it one iota, if you see this DVD you'll become a fan, and trust me your life will be a little bit richer for your exposure to one of life's TRUE GENTLEMEN.

JIM FELL:
Co-founder Vital Spark Folk Society, Whitby, Ontario, Canada.
Founder/AD Horseshoe Valley Folk Festival, Barrie Ontario
Founder/AD The Wellspring Roots Concert Series, Warkworth Ontario

By Frank Chester

The new DVD from Vin Garbutt is a celebration of his 40 years in folk music, and it shows this iconic performer at his best – singing, laughing, and playing his way to a unique place in the hearts of his fans.

It sketches his life in some detail, from his beginnings in the district of Teesside known as Slaggy Island, through his rise in the 1970s, his performances around the world, his family life, illness, and triumph in gaining an honorary MA at Teesside University.
Of all the performers who could claim such a place in the hearts of his fans, Vin is possibly the most exceptional.

He is a far more complex and humorous man than even his closest fans can suppose, forever veering from serious social comment to comic patter and back again.
He is shown to be the splendid human being his fans all know him to be – touring the world with his beloved wife Pat, reciting the Latin names of the fruits and flowers in his garden, and leaving his audiences crying tears of laughter.
But it is his native Teesside that rules his heart, and songs about the area’s industrial decline take pride of place.

Always quick to spot hypocrisy, his protest songs are proof that not even governments are powerful enough to intimidate him into silence.
A major part of the DVD is given over to his abandonment by a leading folk recording label and his unexplained absence from the pages of a top industry magazine.
He seems to put this down to a controversial song, Lynda, about a woman’s right to give birth to a child suffering from spina bifida against the wishes of doctors. However, it does seem that the situation has made him the man that he is, spreading his fame by word of mouth and running his own recording company.
I have personally seen him more times than I would care to admit – from Burnley Cricket Club in 1969 to the Gate to Southwell Folk Festival a couple of years ago, and thought I knew all his jokes.

But just one viewing of this movie proved me wrong. I doubt now that I know one percent of his jokes. He has a mind like a rapier.
The final scene shows Vin leaving home to begin yet another tour, walking up the lane to the sound of Wings, one of his best-known compositions; his heart, as always, in the right place.

http://www.tradartsteam.co.uk/about-folk-monthly.html

A lifetime ago I bought an LP (remember them?) called The Valley of Tees by some bloke called Vin Garbutt. I've bought a few more since then and last month I finally got to see him live at the Wimborne Folk Festival. BRILLIANT!

The next day I ordered the DVD online and received it within 48 hours. It's fantastic. The picture and sound quality are superb and the documentary is the DVD equivalent of a 'page turner' book. Think I'll buy another copy for my brother to make him really sick that he was on holiday for this year's Folk Festival. . . . . .

Got the DVD yesterday and just watched it. Smashing film about a lovely man. Well done.

So often we folkies don’t archive our heroes. Deeply imbued with the oral tradition, we’re often content to pass on anecdotes, reminisce over gigs we’ve seen - or missed – and love just what we know of our icons. And like it or not, in even the egalitarian world of folk music there are icons and heroes –Vin Garbutt is one.

In Vin Garbutt, Teesside Troubadour, filmmaker, social activist and archivist Craig Hornby undertook the epic task of gathering in the history of one of England’s best-loved and internationally-acclaimed folk singers, chronicling a career that has spanned more than forty years.

The result is a heart-warming, fascinating trip with Vin around the world, through the decades and into his personal history, interspersed with tastes of performances and songs and glimpses into the family album.

Initially, it was difficult for me to be objective; like Vin, I was born in England’s industrial north-east, a Middlesbrough “smoggy”, and just the images of “back ‘ome” were emotional fodder; the smoke, the narrow streets and red-brick terraces , every frame unequivocally working class. This is where Vin comes from and part of the strength of the man and performer is knowing his roots and the ethos he was born to.

We’re drawn into the life of someone who loves his smoky town and the wild, rolling moors with an equal intensity, who in the broad embrace of his humanity, respects the little and local as much as the big “out there” and different. As his wife Pat says; “Vin is passionate about everything.”

The film gives us privileged glimpses into his family history; we meet his Mam (from whom he learned many of the Irish songs he still sings), Pat, their children and granddaughter Evie and his old friends. There are warming observations from Vin’s oldest mate, Peter Betts, with whom he formed his first band The Mystics (known to other mates as The Mistakes). We’re even taken in to Vin’s local Catholic church for a moment’s private worship and his daughter Emma’s wedding.

Through conversations with Vin and other performers we’re introduced to the forces that helped forge his style. There was the realisation that it was OK to sing about your hometown, even if it was a small, industrialised place no-one but the locals had heard of. There was the visit back to his mother’s Ireland, to find the singing side of his DNA (his Dad’s side were the comedy “patter merchants”, a skill Vin has in spades).

From their cosy home on the Loftus cliffs – a near derelict farmhouse that he and Pat re-built – to English folk clubs to ex-pat. associations in Malaysia; from Irish pubs to Australian festivals to First-nation celebrations in Canada – Vin takes them all in his stride and they all take Vin to their hearts.

He was the first UK performer to have travelled right across Australia and build up a dedicated antipodean following. Interviews with audiences and top-line performers such as Ralph McTell, Jez Lowe and Martin Carthy all affirm one thing; this is a much-loved man and a very special musician. As one dedicated follower in Holland remarked;”People come here from everywhere to see him which is amazing, because his accent is not that easy.”

This is a must-have for any keen folkie; it’s a skilful rendering of the life and influences of a very individual, profoundly honest and observant musician that the folk community is lucky enough to call its own. It has been playing to acclaim in the UK and one can only hope that it will be picked up by cinemas wherever there are Vin Garbutt aficionados – and that covers a lot of ground.

Got my copy some weeks ago from WH Smiths at Teesside Park. Loved it. Brought back a few memories and tears.

One observation. Why no They don't write them like that anymore? Too obvious?

What about a Mystics reunion? Playing all the old pop songs, only on acoustic/folk instruments. Just a thought?

Dear Craig

You already know what I think of the DVD but had to make it public - wonderful - Vin has a huge following in Perth Western Australia and I am passing on the DVD to everyone I know and they are all saying how much they enjoy it how homesick it makes us all feel - we look forward to his visits here and hope he visits again soon - maybe you can come too and bring the film to Fremantle like Century of Stone - keep the wonderful films coming. Best regards from Western Australia

Dear Vin,Pat and Craig

words cannot descibe the absolute joy you have brought to my father! we are so ever surprised and delighted to be a part of the DVD. I received the complimentary copy which was unexpected and much appreciated. My Father David who turned 77yrs on the 26 May has not stopped watching it. (and crys every time!) he phones me each afternoon to tell me how wonderful the dvd is and what an amazing person 'his mate' Vin is and an amazing documentary maker is our Craig!
Vin you must be so proud of the beautiful music you have given to people and also of the loveliest of families with your children being so delightful and proud of their parents.
Craig you are an absolute genius of a film maker - don't ever stop bringing these amazing stories to people who would otherwise not see or know of the talented people we are privileged to have amongst us.
thank you all so very much - I feel a part of something very very special.
there will always be a bed and meal at our house for you and yours.

waarmest regards

Joanne Cowell

Saw you mid 70s in Stockport as it was a thriving folk era. Played as a
fill-in duet around the circuit. When we saw you perform it gave us a
different perspective about performance and entertainment with your creativity.
I had left those days behind many years ago, but I remembered your name
and googled it to find you still exist! Not only exist but on google. What
can I say. Furthermore you are to bring out a dvd, well. Eeven so
you were great live and still are it seems. Still got most of your hair too.
Will of course by your dvd for for purposes of past, so live does have a
lasting impact eh.

WoWee! I've been waiting for months to buy the DVD. Well worth the wait and spent an enjoyable time watching the film twice in a week! It's so good there's a need to go back for more....and more.

Sadly I'd not experienced Vin's music before but DELIGHTED to have found it at last! Great lyrics and music and lovely patter...'Spanish Tortilla' had me on the floor laughing!

Superb film, full of interest and emotions, documenting Vin's career and expolits, over many years. Excellent!

Many thanks Craig & Vin for such a wonderful creation...now off to Vin's website shop!

I have admired Vin ever since I saw him in concert in Malaysia. His song Nothing to Show for it All could have been written for me. The DVD shows Vin as the wonderful lover of life and people that he is. Congratulations to all involved. I am now inspired to empty out my loft and find all my old Vin LPs and get them transferred onto my MP3 player. All the very best Vin!

Vin/Craig,
Just watched the new dvd - had to write to congratulate you - I am a film student/film nut - A Level Film Studies, Honours Degree in Art History, starting Masters in Film Studies at Pompey Uni in September - I have studied documentaries along the way - and collected the best - I have the last 10 x Oscar winners plus some nominees - I collect the work of Michael Moore, Errol Morris etc. I've got 3 x of this year's nominees - Wasteland, Exit Through the Gift Shop (excellent) and Restrepo. I have a film collection of all genres. I have, therefore, some small knowledge of documentaries and films in general - and I wanted to tell you that Teesside Troubadour is not just the best documentary I've ever seen, it's the best film of any type I've seen for a long time - including the over-hyped King's Speech and the frankly disappointing Hurt Locker.
It is an emotional film (I am a Teessider and ex-steelworker, brought up in Normanby, Eston, Redcar and Marske) and the Extras get even more emotional. It will hopefully bring to the wider world's common knowledge 2 x leaders in their respective artsitic fields - one a humanitarian man of the people, the other an award-winning documentarist. How long before you get your doctorate from Teesside Uni?
(I was at Laurence Rees's presentation last month in London).
I hope we will see more films from you in future, on a more regular basis. How about the history of the Boro, culminating in the 2004 League Cup Final or promotion next year?
Thank you so much for what you have done so far and good luck with your next project.

The opening night was a huge success, not only attended by but with a performance from Vin. For all I had heard of the man I had never seen him perform and became an instant convert. I learned things about my home town which was a surprise in itself as well as far off lands. It was a warm and moving experience that I feel fortunate to have been a part of. Rarely does everyone leave a cinema smiling but they did that night.