Guitar Emporium

The older generation like simple things - thanks for a good deed or service rendered. I have real sympathy for this - I am undoubtedly getting older as I see so many situations when a thank you would have resolved something that subsequently becomes unnecessarily complicated. It doesn't have to be some completely insincere great celebration - one line will do . Support the show

So many displaced and misplaced individuals suffering in the current cold snap in the UK. There was an interview on TV with a chap about my age - Hughie - about sleeping rough in temperatures below freezing. He was very matter of fact about it - you have to keep moving otherwise you freeze to death. Good grief !  There is a positive end to this - churches and other community centres have been open...

Brian May is a fabulous player and musician. This piece was arranged by him for the Guitar Styles series of books edited by the guitar composer Michael Stimpson in the 1980's. I had some particularly good players in the late 1990's early 2000's who could play this stuff. I recorded it on Robs hybrid guitar . Its a classical style guitar with 24 frets, a raised soundboard and a parti...

The whole is more then the sum of the parts. I heard Elton John talking about this with Gary Lineker regarding Elton John's involvement with Watford Football Club and how Elton Johns's relationship with the Watford manager Graham Taylor (later the England manager ) was one such moment.  Us lesser mortals also have these moments - they last for such a short time and what's worse you...

What a great word - I'm sure everyone's had it lately . celebrate it and embrace it - there is nothing you can do - its impossible to avoid. Support the show

I've played various versions of this lovely concerto, probably the most accessible to guitarists, with 2 guitars and also with harpsichord. This movement became part of the ABRSM grade 8 guitar syllabus for a while and the slow movement part of the grade 5 syllabus.  I did arrangements of the whole 3 movements of the concerto for groups of guitarists to play. The slow movement always came off...

Its the time of year - not enough sun about at the moment ... I will start doing some more cheerful stuff soon - promise  Support the show

I first got interested in folk guitar in the 1970's and then saw John James at the West End Centre in Aldershot where I bought his album " Suitcase shaped like that" . He wrote for Guitar Magazine on and off fora bit and played the folk scene with a guitarist called Pete Berryman .  I arranged their duet version as a solo guitar piece in about 2013. Its a great laid back tune - Easy...

A subconscious pinch of George Harrisons lyric - apologies - but it's the right sentiment for the song. Support the show

I buy cars just 1 purchase off the scrap heap - I keep them going probably longer than they should keep going for - this is to my latest acquisition - long may she keep going Support the show

Even the wealthiest has started thinking they better go back to work soon... the holiday can only last so long.  This is to all the square pegs in round holes - if you're in the wrong place keep hanging in there - things can only get better. Support the show

Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór   "Small Fairy Mound, Big Fairy Mound"An Irish Folk tune. This is my favourite arrangement of the tune. The arrangement is by John Rebourn who died in 2015. His use of the steel guitar is just unique and haunting in its cross string melody playing and the harmony lines The tune is attributed to blind harpist and singer Turlough O'Caralan(1670 – 1738) as his first a...

The old " Can't see the wood for the trees " argument - sometimes you 've just got to take a step back . Support the show

New ideas , new directions, new approaches - lets do them ! Support the show

When a succession of negative things happen even a slight respite can feel like a break. Support the show

I wasn't feeling great over the festive period - and watched more than usual the arts TV. The pop music side was quite heavily loaded with Beatles documentaries. Where was the Magic man - the late Jimi Hendrix? Support the show

This is not a great time of year for optimistic thoughts. Apart from feeling a bit rough - I'm starting to question my own competence - sign of things to come ?  Support the show

The title of an old Lindisfarne album - its certainly the sound of my voice at the moment ( I blame a bit of a cold ) Support the show

A couple of new tunes - with a new voice - a bit of a cold has dropped my voice a bit !  A New Years resolution for the family this year. Support the show

The Keen cover "Somewhere only we know" is the no.1 download for 2023. Support the show

My composition Jazz Bossa Nova is No. 2  Support the show

Paco Pena's Rumba is no. 3 in the top downloads Support the show

Vivaldis "Winter" from the 4 seasons was No.4 last year Support the show

This is number 5 of the top 5 downloads in 2023 - Tarrega's "Recuerdoa de la Alhmabra" Support the show

Lets wish for........ -I think there's more than 3 wishes to make and hundreds of New Year resolutions to try to fulfill - I hope your wishes and resolutions work out for you .  Support the show