- Richard Hawley with Jools Holland. Walking to New Orleans
- Pre-owned Alexander for sale – SOLD
- Ray Reardon RIP
- David Gray. A clean pair of eyes
- John Smith. Save My Life and World Tour
- Will McNicol with Innotet / Volume Two
- Tristan Seume. Si Bheag, Si Mhor
- Ullapool Guitar Festival 4th- 6th October
- Ullapool
- The Ullapool Guitar
- Eric Bibb, Things is ’bout comin my way
- Ben Robertson. McGoldrick’s / Cavers of Kirkcudbright
- Remi Harris. Interview at Django Portugal
- Nightwish. Perfume of the Timeless
- Chris Cleverly. The Centre Cannot Hold
- Chris Gerolmo. If I only had a brain
- Andy Irvine
- Ben Walker at Halsway Manor
- Martin’s Instrument of Joy
- Martin Carthy Chronological Discography
- Crowdfunder for a new Martin and Eliza Carthy Album. “East”
- Guitar Makers who Play Fylde Guitars
- Chris Herring. Have You Seen the Unicorn
- Giulio Sangirardi
- New Little Gizmo
Richard Hawley with Jools Holland. Walking to New Orleans
It can’t be a co-incidence that Richard is playing his black “Fylde Orleans” guitar on this song, can it? It’s one of my favourite ever guitars but it’s difficult to see against Richard’s black shirt.
The look that Richard and Jools give each other, and the little fade out at the end are delightful.
I was going to show you a video of Richard that Sam English put together from his contributions to the 50 years film, but this is more relevant now. So now you know what will be in next month’s issue.
Richard is extra busy at the moment, his Album “In This City They Call You love” has some wonderful reviews on the net, he is busy touring and his stage play “Standing at Sky’s Edge” is massively successful. And he is still a lovely bloke.
Pre-owned Alexander for sale
I’ve been holding on to this to show at Ullapool in October, but there isn’t anything else to offer this month, so it’s someone’s lucky day. A perfectly standard model Alexander, exactly as it says on the tin.
Made in 2016, and in nearly perfect condition, a wonderful opportunity.
It’s for sale at £2,600 – SOLD.
Ray Reardon RIP
This is very sad. Ray has died aged 91. He was an important part of my life during the snooker boom of the early 1980’s while the guitar world was going through a quiet time.
He tested all the ideas that I came up with and used one of my cues in his later matches. We did a lot of business together. I’ve picked the balls out of the pockets while he was practising. I’ve played golf with him, shared birthday meals and helped usher away intrusions into his family life. I’ve been with him when he was paid from the contents of the club fruit machines and he helped me with a very personal fundraising event when I really wasn’t functioning very well.
There are so many stories. These pictures show just part of all that.
There have been many iconic snooker players, but Ray was the first. In my mind, the best.
David Gray. A clean pair of eyes
David finally has his new guitar, complete with a rather sweet little Curlew in Abalone. Tristan Seume was at the workshop while I was making that inlay, and he recognised what bird it was without me having to tell him. I’d have been upset if he had said “that’s a nice Owl”
David loves the guitar and I’m hoping we will see a lot more of it.
John Smith. Save My Life and World Tour
The song that “affected” a lot of the ladies at my big party some years ago, I still think it’s one of John’s best. His use of the guitar stands by itself, quite apart from the song and the singing. And then there is the bass fiddle – the venue isn’t bad either.
He has a new tour planned. He never rests. Unless he is sitting in a glade, but that’s another story.
Will McNicol with Innotet / Volume Two
Will has announced the launch of his new Project with a chunk of Glasgow’s musical Talents
Hi folks, I’m absolutely over-the-moon to announce that Volume Two with Innotet is finally done, dusted, and available to pre-order now. It’s been a long time in the making, and an absolute dream-come-true of an album for me. It’s due for release on Friday 30th August, with pre-orders being sent out a week early. You can check out the pre-order options below (including the Collector’s Edition which will only be available as part of the pre-order campaign).I’m excited to share our first video together of a track from the album – Cessna. A proper celebratory piece to kick us off! This one uses my Model M by Tom Sands Guitars. The other guitar used on the album is my Ariel by Fylde Guitars, and I couldn’t be happier with how they both sound on the album.
Available as a download, CD, or Vinyl, with a special offer for pre orders.
You can see details and pre order on Will’s site.
Tristan Seume. Si Bheag, Si Mhor
A rather special rendition of a classic, quite lovely. Big Fairy Hill, Little Fairy Hill, according to one translation anyway. Tris is using his favourite tuning of CGDGCD and a very considered and gentle electronic modulation of everything.
I wonder if AI will ever be used in “Pedals” – so the player won’t be in full control of what’s going on? A big extra footswitch labelled “Let’s see what this does”
Tris has two places left for Brittany – be quick.
Ullapool Guitar Festival 4th- 6th October
Richard Lindsay has really “pushed the boat out” this year in terms of artist bookings so far …
Antoine Boyer and Yeore Kim, Jule Malischke and Don Ross. Clive Carroll, Carl Verheyen with Albert Lee. Petra Polackova, Cahalen Morrison, John Smith. Hugh Burns, John Goldie, Tristan Seume, Anna Massie, Prof Alan Neave and students, Jim Drummond. Alan Thompson. Scott Matthews, Sönke Meinen, Adam Bulley and Chas Mackenzie.
It is very hard to continually do better than the previous year, particularly when dealing with the political and economic uncertainties which inevitably impinge on such things. Richard and “The Committee” do an amazing job. They have pulled it back from the lost years of Covid when other gatherings did not survive. They managed that largely because the artists and the volunteers pushed them to do it and offered their full support . It’s a small event but it really is “THE” place to be in the guitar world; everybody always has a splendid time.
The morning workshops are worthwhile just by themselves, it’s not often a player can get up close to so many different tutors.
Lots of guitar makers, sometimes an ice cream barrow . Local Beer and local food. Can’t wait, we just need to get some guitars made first
Book your tickets NOW
Ullapool Guitar Festival Website
Ullapool
In case any of you don’t know where or what Ullapool is, here is a link to the area. We would go just to sit and gaze over the Sea Loch or watch the ferry coming and going. Then there is the curry shop, Andy’s fish and chips, some rather nice beer and some sweet little shops. If you like driving, this is the place for you. And if you like the smell of Pines and woodsmoke – make a week of it. Did I mention Whisky?
The Ullapool Guitar
We are working on seven guitars specially to show at Ullapool. One of them will be for sale in aid of the festival. I haven’t yet decided which one .
There will of course, be other instruments as well. Have you booked your tickets yet?
Eric Bibb, Things is 'bout comin my way
What a wonderful band, gentle, considered and complete. I just love string bass in any situation, but with acoustic guitar it really works. In this recording, it’s so nicely “shelved”, prominent, but not intruding at all on Eric’s 12 string and voice.
It’s particularly nice to see that guitar again, it has quite a history.
Ben Robertson. McGoldrick's / Cavers of Kirkcudbright
A new instrumental arrangement – McGoldrick’s (by Michael McGoldrick) and the brilliantly named Cavers of Kirkcudbright (by Mike Vass).
I was really pleased to get this from Ben. He has some other videos as well. Watch this space.
Remi Harris. Interview at Django Portugal
I’m so pleased to have a Fylde guitar playing its part in the world of Gypsy Jazz, it was such an important part of my musical history, and Remi is one of its best exponents. This is a great interview.
Nightwish. Perfume of the Timeless
You won’t see much of his Fylde instruments in this rather impressive video, but Troy assures me they are there in the mix.
2.4 million views already!
Chris Cleverly. The Centre Cannot Hold
Well done, Chris, we’ve been waiting for this.
Chris Cleverley was born under a solstice moon, in the honeysuckle mysticism of a late 80s Midsummer.
“Cleverley’s boundary-shattering ‘Dream-Folk’ songwriting sits on the cutting edge of modern folk. A true guitar-man, his elaborate alternate tunings, percussive rhythms and ambient sound design flow beneath a visceral lyrical style inspired by the Lo-fi American Greats, Elliott Smith & Sufjan Stevens; a curious tapestry weaved from the hazy psychedelia of the 60s folk revival and the soulful oblivion of 90s Pacific Northwest.
FATEA Male Artist of The Year 2019 & 2022”
Guy ButteryChris Gerolmo. If I only had a brain
Chris is probably better known in the USA, as the screenwriter for “Mississippi Burning” ; his other writing includes “Over There”, “Citizen X”, “Miles from Home” and “Death for Beginners”
He sent me the video with a note “I thought you might be willing to take a look”. Well, yes.
Chris is playing his beloved Orsino and Chance his Sir Toby acoustic bass, tuned as a Piccolo Bass. I’ve told them the bass needs to be louder
Andy Irvine
I hope Andy has somebody travelling with him to help with all those instruments.
His Octave Mandola sounds rather nice, very mellow
Ben Walker at Halsway Manor
7 Fylde Guitars
Ben sent me this with a rather gleeful comment celebrating such a variety of different Fylde’s at this year’s gathering. I know the history of most of them. Not all!
I’m going to push Ben for some more recordings and videos.
Martin's Instrument of Joy
The picture must have been taken early 1990’s. One of the family’s recordings was “Sound, sound, your instruments of joy”, and Martin does seem to be enjoying himself here.
Martin Carthy Chronological Discography
This is an almost unbelievable account of Martin’s contribution to our world.
And he hasn’t finished yet, we can all help …
Crowdfunder for a new Martin and Eliza Carthy Album. "East"
“First commissioned by the Norfolk and Norwich festival and staged in Brighton, Hull, Bewdley and Hartlepool since, East has grown into a moving and uplifting show, and Martin and Eliza would dearly love to record this epic work and put it out as an album.
“We reached out to some labels to fund this, but the recording industry is struggling at the moment and no-one can currently help us to get into the studio.
“As Martin is 83 we feel an urgency to act now, and are reaching out to you in our community to see if you would consider being a part of our beautiful work…”
Guitar Makers who Play Fylde Guitars
Chris Herring. Have You Seen the Unicorn
“There is only a chorus and ending existing of this song, I added some lyrics so that it is longer than 38 seconds”
I like posting Chris’s videos, because he is so good, and we swap guitar making stories when we get chance. He uses his dad’s Falstaff on a lot of his recordings, which is lovely. He seems to alternate between that, and guitars that he has made himself.
My granddaughter is going to love this video. I’m sure Unicorn Horn would make a splendid replacement for endangered Elephant Ivory
Guitar Makers who Play Fylde Guitars
Giulio Sangirardi
Our friends at SEC guitars, Giulio Sangirardi and his partner Giulia Cavicchi show their products at Ullapool whenever they can, we look forward to seeing them again this year, they are lovely people. Giulia sometimes brings cake!
Giulio is making a single of his own, using his beloved Orsino, made in 1979. It inspired him to take up guitar making, and he met Giulia at Lutherie School so it’s all my fault!
“This guitar features in an album by Bristol born singer Wayne Hussey ( “The Sisters of Mercy” “The Mission”) played by myself on a track called “A change in the weather” that I co-wrote with him in 2003. It’s probably buried in the mix somewhere”
New Little Gizmo
There is a vague link with Ray Reardon in this picture. Part of this gizmo came from a snooker cue! I’m not going to tell you what this thing is, because it isn’t finished and it might not work, but I will tell you that apart from the snooker cue, it has parts from a 3D printer, a woodworking router and a roll up advertising banner.
Any the wiser?
If it works, there will be more pictures. If it doesn’t, maybe not, but I enjoyed making it anyway.
There are more connections between snooker cues and guitars than you might imagine. They use a lot of the same timbers – Ebony, Rosewood, Maple, Ash etc. and the technology of keeping a snooker cue straight is much the same as that used in making