April 2020 Newsletter

This guitar is due to go to New York. We have sent three instruments to the USA in the last few weeks, and each delivery has been quick and easy, but the situation in New York is so uncertain that the customer and me have decided to hold on for a while. The poor guitar is in a dark, dark case, in a dark, dark box, in a dark, dark corner of the workshop. This was supposed to cheer me up, I'll stop.

Chris was preparing to tour the US using his new guitar, but the tours were cancelled, and his guitar is stranded, it is in storage in New York. I wonder if the two guitars will ever meet to discuss their personal lockdown.

Chris's Site

View here

Elliott and I had a discussion about haircuts when I saw this. And chin cuts. Have you ever seen a bass drum foot pedal and a bicycle brake cable linked up to a harmonium before? You have now.

Elliott also has an excellent video recorded at a festival in Italy where he won the ‘best music’ award. I'll be showing that soon, stories are queuing up.

Elliott's website

"The tour is very environmentally friendly. I can walk straight to bed after each show via the fridge."

I received my copy of the album today; it is splendid in every way. Johns outstanding voice and guitar playing and exceptional recorded sound, with the added reality of a live recording and audience reaction, including the "encores". It could be a "Greatest Hits”, it's all there.

And here is John singing about NOT being on the road

I spoke to him just the day before he was admitted, and at the time he felt he was recovering but obviously that wasn't so. We are in touch with his family, and I will keep you informed.

It's difficult to choose a track in this situation.

We had met a few times but made the "big connection" at a place called Rheged. Adam wrote this track after that meeting.

Adam's style has changed enormously since he started playing Fylde guitars, we have become good friends and he is a huge ambassador for us. Please send him all those things that you believe in.

Lots and lots of Love Adam and family.

Adam's website

Gordon has a new album that I will talk about in the next newsletter.

In the meantime...

Mirror Noir Records of Malvern is proud to be releasing "The Work of Angels" by Gordon Giltrap and Paul Ward on April 2nd, 2020.

This single will raise much needed funds for The University Hospitals Birmingham Charity with the proceeds directly reaching the charity itself. 

Please support our wonderful NHS during this difficult time by clicking on the link here:

Our friends Giulio and Giulia from Sangiradi and Cavicchi  (Sangiradi and Cavicchi website ) told me about this, even before Billy could tell me.

What a great project. I think Brian put the idea out there, and it's up to individual musicians whether to take up the challenge.

Brian posted the video on his twitter account!

Well done Billy 

Billy's website

I was writing a piece about Will playing six guitars all at the same time, when he sent me this one, so I'm going with this instead. You'll have to wait for the six guitars.

Will was inspired to write the tune by a children’s hospice paying a peppercorn rent to their landlord. The rent- a dozen red roses. The arrangement is by Innes Watson.
Here is the story. 

There is a link for fundraising, with many options to assist you. Personally, I rather like the idea of stickers!!

Innes and Innotet

Otherwise currently known as Tempest Quarantino. If you want to know how that works: my pet name for Troy is "Captain Troy", as in Troy Tempest from Stingray. His pet name for me has usually been "Sheriff”, now reduced to "Shezza", I don’t know why. The Quarantino part - well, it's not hard to work out is it?

I'm going to lighten up a little now. 

You don't believe this is actually us, do you?  It's amazing what they can do with photoshop nowadays, and CGI. 

My feet hurt. Moira has twisted her ankle.