The Alfalfa Mail Podcast

Here is an improvisation on Jazz Archtop when I was starting to play around with parts of the song Gennaio (the later acoustic version is on the album - check that out below!) For new subscribers, the point of the podcast, apart from providing some free and hopefully enjoyable music, is to sketch out song ideas that will eventually get recorded properly and released on streaming platforms. You can...

This is an improvisation on acoustic guitar around a new piece called “Song for Jake” working in a few new chord ideas. Enjoy! Please drop any comments you might have in the comments section, like, forward or subscribe to help me get some traction please 🌝For new subscribers, the point of the podcast, apart from providing some free and hopefully enjoyable music, is to sketch out song ideas that w...

This is an improvisation around the foundations of a new song idea called “Neve” for baritone guitar. You can catch the tik-tok-unfriendly video here in substack notes, if that takes your fancy. For new subscribers, the point of the podcast, apart from providing some free and hopefully enjoyable music, is to sketch out song ideas that will eventually get recorded properly (this was recorded on my...

This is an improvisation from Friday night around a new tune called “Song for Jake”. Hope you enjoy, Ben Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

A new recording of an old song I wrote, with the “forgotten” middle section, hope you enjoy. Ben Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Our most streamed song this year on Spotify and other platforms, the Song of The Ayahuasca Labrador comes to the free podcast here on substack. If you love Aya Labra and want to read more about his adventures in the future, smash that like button and share this post to all and sundry! Have a wonderful, restful Christmas and New Year from The Alfalfa Mail. Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at the...

I posted this tune a while back in a note as “Untitled Song” and now it has a working title, which means “January”. I’ve been playing it on the baritone and spanish guitar too, and so it’s evolved a bit since this recording. Hope you enjoy it. Ben Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Recorded a guitar track this evening and it’s turned into something quite good, here is a first take before it gets mixed and posted to Spotify etc. hope you like it. Any comments, feedback welcome as usual 🐾✌🏼 Ben Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

This one’s for the Jazz Fans. So i’ve been meaning to re-record this short tune forever, and if you can believe, it’s 20 years since I recorded this in 2005. I didn’t ever really try to go back and re-learn it because I never had the kind of guitar around that could get this sound again. Now I have, I tried to play it again - failing miserably! I managed to stumble through the changes until 30 sec...

Brought to you live by Shelby Grant The Alfalfa Mail’s correspondent on-the-ground Down Under. Here is a sneak preview from her interview with local folk legend Barry from Wallaroo, giving his take on life in The Walla as it’s affectionately called, and recounting a few of his rib-tickling tales, some of which involve the odd frosty or two. Look out for the full-length episode, set to drop soon. W...

***Now updated with First Ever Audio Podcast Commentary*** [Contains Explicit Language] (Song begins at 03:40 if you want to skip the audio intro) Saturday night, the evenings are drawing in and the air is cool. Soon the leaves will turn golden and fall. Remembering Du Fu 杜甫 , my favourite poet and maybe the greatest of all, in any language. Recorded this in the studio this evening, it’s almost...

Here’s a short improv on the Steinberger baritone guitar, it’s tuned B to B (I think - the sender may have deliberately detuned it for shipping 🌝 as you should) so a whole step lower than a standard guitar with a secret weapon - a piezo pickup in the bridge, I just plugged this in twirled a few knobs and found a good sound - this has a little bit of the piezo dialled in and I think it’s pretty sw...

Recorded on my MacBook years ago, I always meant to re-record this properly, with parts 2 & 3. Hoping to do that this year. NB you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify podcasts is not working and I’m still looking into this. Alternatively, you can copy the RSS Feed address to listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast application. Thanks ☺️ Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalf...

Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

a song I wrote after visiting the town of Cefalù in Sicily Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Here is an improvisation today using the Mesa Express amplifier which I haven’t played with for a while. It’s really a versatile all rounder tube amp switchable between 5 and 25 watts power output. As ever, if you like it or have any thoughts let me know in the comments, Enjoy! Ben Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Listen to more of my music on all your favourite platforms here Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Playing through an amp today, the Schertler David Wood 80W. Hope you enjoy it, it’s improvised so naturally has a lot of mistakes! :¬) Listen to more of my music on all your favourite platforms here Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Playing through an amp today for a change, the Schertler David Wood 80W which is excellent I have to say. It’s not just for acoustic pickups. Listen to more of my music on all your favourite platforms here Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Here is a free-form improvisation on a theme from a tune I wrote called Summer Song, which I recorded this evening direct to iPhone from the Eastman (acoustic) archtop guitar. Hope you enjoy it. To hear more of my music, go listen on your favorite streaming platform, links here: https://linktr.ee/thealfalfamail Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Here is a live recording of an old tune I wrote a long time ago, recorded acoustically just now on the archtop guitar direct to a new iPhone. Hope you enjoy it. Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe

Rough edit of new song I’ve been working on, played on acoustic archtop guitar, this is the first part. Hope you enjoy. Get full access to The Alfalfa Mail at thealfalfamail.substack.com/subscribe