| From July 19th - 22nd I played a few gigs in the UK. The first 2 days were in the London area and we stayed with Davey Graham in Camden.
Davey Graham is a true british guitar hero. He wrote "Angie" - a composition
that every fingerpicker in the world has had a go at at some point or the
other. Davey doesn't perform much anymore but he does give guitar lessons.
Nowodays he favours a nylon string guitar. Decca is planning to reissue his
legendary recordings as a box set - look out for it!
On Friday I played in Claygate. This was the day where Gerry's "Black
Martin" (see "Cushioned For A Soft Ride Inside") was to be given back to the Loughran family.
It was quite a reunion: The Loughrans (Bobbi and sons Jason and Jethro and
their ladies) were there. Also Cliff Aungier + lady and Royd Rivers (Gerry's
first musical partner who helped him pay for the Martin back in 1957). It
was a remarkable and emotional night. I know the "Black Martin" is home
again and in good hands. On the same night some friends and musical fans
from Austria popped in - what a surprise!
Saturday-Sunday I played at the Village Pump Festival near Trowbridge.
We had a wonderful time at this very relaxed and wellrun festival. Great music
and good company. Thanks to Steve and James for supplying the Torque
acoustic amp. (it sounded real good!). It was also really nice to hear and
meet Mary Coughlan again (we'd met her and her pianist Peter last year in
Edmonton, Alberta). Milica and Mary used to live in the same house during
Milica's English/Irish period in the seventies so they have a bit of history
in common and some memories to share. (Mary didn't sing then!)
|