Guitar Emporium

I came across two sufferers of memory loss this week - one on the radio, Billy Connolly ( now 80 ) and the second a 76 year  Australian gent with repercussions from an old injury now causing him memory issues. Brain Fog - the Hendrix E7#9 chord in there somewhere - Hendrix would be coming to his 81st birthday this November. Support the show

Immortality isn't that what we all crave - I'm not so sure. Those who grab the most - keep the most ? I'm not so sure either... Support the show

One of the really comforting child hood memories is those Sunday afternoons doing very little - sometimes absolutely nothing - and not feeling guilty at all. Ive just had one of those - immensely enjoyable - I couldn't be motivated to do any work and it felt very pleasant. Support the show

I had the thrill of being asked to play Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez at an early stage in my career. It is still a great highlight - I re-learned the piece about 15 years ago and found the slow movement had the same intensely moving effect. I've just nicked a bit of the tune and a little of the chord sequence - but this is not meant to be anything like that great piece - its just a pas...

This came about because I was teaching David Bowies "Space Oddity" to a pupil and I really enjoyed having a look at the old video of him singing and playing the guitar on the tune. This has nothing to do with Major Tom - I was also thinking about a friend of Robs who specialised in house clearances - Spaceman. Also the handclap thing from Stealers Wheel is great fun - even when it gets a...

The Conservative party conference  this week raised that phrase in my head - but also I'm trying to sort out some stuff and I am ( again ) beset by an alarming inability to make a decision. The song sounds rather preachy - but its not - its directed at me . It started shape as a comment on how I react to events rather than try to shape them - I'm a reactive individual rather than proacti...

I had some work out on the Isle of Wight recently and I travelled on the Wight Link ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth. Great ferry old fashioned civilised way of travelling. On the ferry were lots and lots of old people on day trips . I suddenly realised I was one of them. Oh !! Support the show

Reckless, rash irresponsible -a reckless person, reckless or unpredictable behaviour or action. Sounds good to me . Bring it on . Support the show

In the UK its just started to be noticeable - although its been creeping up for quite a while. The nights are drawing in - I look forward to it in many ways and yet ... Support the show

In a reference to broadening waistlines - this is reference to those issues. I will not elaborate as I'm sure any of you fellow sufferers know its kind of self evident. Support the show

A definite sign of brain slowing down - its one of my most often thought( but not spoken) phrases. The trio combination is the most enjoyable for me as an acoustic guitarist. Its one of the occasions when you can be heard . Episode 500 today. Thank you for listening. Support the show

Michael Gambon - an actor who I really enjoyed watching - died last week . apparently he did everything effortlessly, and didn't like to analyse how he produced a performance. He was amazing to watch . Intuitively  Support the show

In this post covid world where its survival of the nastiest - gentle perseverance is a long forgotten skill and completely obsolescent to your average material girl/boy. Push your way to the front of the queue is seen as an essential life skill. Oh Lord Support the show

Some old and new ideas in this tune - and the idea of the acoustic guitar at the centre of an arrangement returns (again)  Support the show

Not an easy thing to do in the UK at the moment. Too many stay when they should go - get that ticket if its you. Support the show

I was listening to the late great Gerry Rafferty this weekend - apologies for this - it was a bit of a joke. But I am stuck -- in a rut... Support the show

There are a lot of bad things going on in the world - but a deliberate act of destruction serving no purpose whatsoever does captures the imagination. I'm told they may be able tp pollard the tree. It'll be back when the so and so who cut it down is long gone ! Support the show

A few end of summer season storms - the wind howls and whistles around the houses where we are. Support the show

The macho thing dies at some point in a mans life - I'm not sure I ever really had it. Support the show

The last of the three A's - Anticipation, Arrival and Aftermath - the talking through  at the end - sometimes the best bit . Support the show

This is not one that I have - but I know of many friends who are still looking for the lottery win, the pools or maybe the the Miliion pound house that keeps coming up on the TV. Support the show

The second of this weeks three "A"'s . Live in the moment. Support the show

The Keen song "Somewhere only we know" is the starting point for this song. We all have our somewhere - but I wonder if both halves of a partnership have the same Somewheres  Support the show

The three A's - Anticipation, Arrival and Aftermath.  Three tunes this week - to celebrate an Event. First tune anticipates ... Support the show

Always looking at everything with a ridiculous sporting metaphor - life is but a sporting event ?? - What a load of nonsense. Support the show