Guitar Emporium

The New Year approaches - the big thing is ??? I've got no idea - but there's no point worrying about it . Have a good New Years Eve. Support the show

Lots of employers like to hang this "bonus " thing over their employees heads and then renege on it at the end of the year - certainly on the size or scale of it .No surprises there - then . Support the show

The wikipedia bit: I B elieve in Father Christmas " is a song by English musician Greg Lake with lyrics by Peter Sinfield . Although it is often categorised as a Christmas song , this was not Lake's intention. He said that he wrote the song in protest at the commercialisation of Christmas . Sinfield, however, said that the words are about a loss of innocence and childhood belief. Release...

I was watching a documentary about Phil Collins - such a great musician - making a recording called Going Back . He took some of the amazing Motown songs, got the original musicians and singers and put together a really special recording, respecting the original songs, to the extent that he would check the drum parts and make everything work beautifully.  The Temptations song My Girl was one of th...

The " Huron Carol " (or " Twas in the Moon of Wintertime ") is a Canadian Christmas hymn (Canada's oldest Christmas song), written probably in 1642 by Jean de Brébeuf , a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Canada. [1] Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in the native language of the Huron/Wendat people; the song's original Huron title is " Jesous Ahatonhi...

Il est né, le divin Enfant ( He is born, the divine Child) a traditional 19th Century French carol. It is paired with Dives and Lazarus which is an English folk song. It is considered a Christmas carol and based on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus .  I overdid the jazzy feel - but still lovely tunes. Support the show

Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 by Arcangelo Corelli , known commonly as the Christmas Concerto, was commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni and published posthumously in 1714 as part of Corelli's Twelve concerti grossi, Op. 6 . The concerto bears the inscription Fatto per la notte di Natale (made for the night of Christmas). 5 movements:Vivace – Grave. Arcate, sostenuto e come stàA...

I did a version of Silent Night last year on Christmas Eve. Here is an updated version. It is the song for Christmas Eve - the quiet anticipation of the day itself - such a magical time for young children and adult children too.  Support the show

The final movement of this concerto gross from Corelli. Support the show

Guaranteed immortality by the composition of one of the very best Christmas tunes - Shane Macgowan died recently. I would not even think to sing the song but my own instrumental version was the highlight of any playing around Christmastime - due to very little on my part - it is just a great tune with unforgettable lyrics of the recriminations of a despairing couple. Support the show

The 5th most has some of the biggest challenges for the guitar- the range starts to push at the top end of the guitar. I think if the range is not stretched the piece becomes a bit middly and indistinct. I'm not convinced but I think it generally works. Support the show

A traditional and much loved wonderfully upbeat carol. Support the show

Th e Paul Simon song Bookends ( I think ) is the starting point for this tune. The opening part of his guitar part forms the theme.  Yup - its a song about a bookcase. Its an old bookcase that we bought or acquired ( I can't remember which) and now we don't have any room for .  But, fortunately we have now found some space.  Support the show

An instrumental arrangement of the 1980 (!) Christmas tune by Jona Lewie.  Support the show

The piece seems to become more appealing as you move through the movements . Support the show

The usual I'm afraid - complaining about those who "rule" . Its fairly self -explanatory. Support the show

The relentless passage of time - bit of a recurring theme. Keeping the important things secure in those memories. Support the show

This is not the arrangement everyone knows - but I enjoyed the 4 - part arrangement of the tune that you 'll hear in this recording.  Support the show

In the Shallows - where I remain  - its not so bad at all - but a little frustrating when you want to swim with the big fish. Support the show

The first traditional carol of this years season. Taken from a recording of 2015 called See Amid the Winters Snow.- a collection of traditional and modern Christmas tunes  Support the show

One of the immediately beautiful movement Sofia the concerto - for 4 guitars Support the show

The little man is out there doing his stuff - can't quite believe how quickly he's developing. Lovely Support the show

Most of the sun loving birds have gone to warmer places by now - they've got it made - free travel - no environmental impact and they can choose ( within reason ) the destination. See you next year. Support the show

If you have the inkling to change and go off course - just do it - no regrets has to be a strong motivation to go for it... Support the show

Admiring beauty of any gender is hard to do these days without getting into severe difficulty. Look but don't remotely impose yourself on any one at all.... Support the show