Guitar Emporium

To the old civilisations - The Aztecs the Inca's .the Egyptians, the Greeks the Romans and all the others - here's to them ! Support the show

Resistance - to a plan or proposal ; It seems to be a very trendy way of representing failure to get through a scheme. Pushback seems to be an easier way of saying "that just isn't going to happen" Support the show

The NATO alliance has been referred to as Paper Tigers by Donald Trump in relation to the conflict in Iran. He has a point although I'm not sure NATO signed up to take aggressive action - I thought it was a defensive alliance. Attack one - attack all.  Support the show

From March 2024. Boat People - with a riff taken from the amazing Led Zeppelins Immigrant Song. Published 9 May 2026 BBC verify  More than 200,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats since records began in 2018, new figures show. The Home Office recorded 70 people arriving in the UK on Friday, taking the total to 200,013 in the last nine years. Calm weather conditions meant 70...

The instrumental mix of yesterdays tune  Support the show

Local elections in the UK - the rise and rise of populist politics is big here. Communicate through social media, influencers, and vague promises - there's nothing new about that it just seems to distort everything. Some would call this a very cynical tune - I think you're probably right  Support the show

This is a good one - from the Word Smarts site - The origins of the phrase “dressing down” date back to the 1400s, when it was primarily used among sailors to describe the process of slathering a ship’s sails with tar, wax, or oil to renew their efficacy and quality. By the 1900s, that usage was expanded to describe sailors who were reprimanded for committing infractions. If a sailor was “dressed...

Remember that from the old children's stories - I used to love that sentiment. Its not so obviously stated now in the children's picture books but even Stickman and the Gruffalo turn out fine .. Support the show

Sometimes when you've got used to looking for the catch in everything you see or do there is a danger that you look for the bad when in fact there is only good ! Don't Look a gift horse in the mouth. The idiom advises that when you receive a gift, you should show gratitude rather than scrutinize it , as examining a gift too closely can imply ingratitude or dissatisfaction with the giver&...

I am forever the optimist - I just need to see the slightest sign of something positive to go for it. Having been so very wrong so many times this takes either ridiculous levels of faith in other people or some very misguided hope that things will turn out fine. Support the show

So wrapped we can become in what we're doing that we miss the obvious - I think I have been guilty of that on many occasions. Look out for the signs in those around you.  Support the show

I think its coming - he's good honest guy - I think - but there is always someone looking for the next scalp. See what the local elections in the UK today bring Support the show

Best played very loud. Support the show

When I was studying in the 1970's this was the title of a book by the economist J.K Galbraith. I think it still might be the Age of Uncertainty. Support the show

The word "transactional" has become very important - its all about the deal . I'm not sure that everything we do should be determined by what you get out of it.  Support the show

I've had access to a "light as a feather" soprano guitar these last few weeks. It really is very lightly built. It is an octave higher than a classical guitar , has 6 nylon strings and is about 1/3rd of the size of a classical guitar. The soprano guitar produces a very strong sound and works well in an ensemble.  Support the show

I've been sectioned - probably best not to be too frivolous about it. Its nothing to do with mental health - its a bit of landlord v's tenant paperwork called no fault eviction. The UK government are trying to do away with it, although I'm not convinced that  they are doing anything very significant in their changes - time will tell.  Support the show

Every human endeavour is a beauty contest - and my goodness its competitive out there.  Beauty in terms of the most beautiful brain, the most beautiful body, the most beautiful face and the most beautiful achievement .. and on and on it goes  Support the show

A fashionable phrase for those who have sustained a consistent high standard throughout their life - of integrity, of performance, of achievement.  Support the show

Finding something to believe in is central to us busy little souls. You got a cause - You got something to believe in . Support the show

The London marathon - my nephew entered for it this year, something I would loved to have done - a real achievement. Congratulations.  The song alludes to the Dustin Hoffman / Laurence Olivier film Marathon Man and the escape of Nazi leaders through Europe and away to South America Support the show

It is all moving so so quickly - almost as though it is totally out of control - surely not. But its clearer than ever - if you ever doubted it - for right or for wrong it is all about money. Humanitarian stuff - however its argued - is secondary. Ok its Monday morning - have a good week  Support the show

As Spring gets up and and running in the UK the mornings are beautifully " a bit nippy" - there's a frost about at dawn. I see this wonderful jogger out and on a 3 mile + circuit - she must be in her 70's, she used to run marathons and has now cut it back to just an early morning jog!!!.  Loads of energy lots going on - go with the flow. Support the show

Lou Reed's wonderful Perfect Day - said it very eloquently. This is in hope of that day and many like it. Support the show

The change in landlord / tenant arrangements in the UK takes effect in May 2026. In the meantime the rental market is seeing increases in rent, no fault evictions ( section 21 notices) and all kinds of shenanigans by these delightful property owners.  Support the show