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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 14, 2015 12:13:26 GMT
Hi,
Just got back from a day at this show (2nd year running) and really enjoyed it, more than last year; good opportunity to catch up with my son in London as well.
I spent more time this year going to the live performances which were excellent. Each lasted around 45 minutes.
In the Stage auditorium I saw
Steve and the Seagulls (multi instrumentalists from Finland; a bit weird and heavy but great entertainment).
Martin Carthy. Very different of course and to a degree old fashioned but nicely so; although I suppose its not surprising that he is losing the guitar accuracy and playing somewhat; nevertheless a pleasant set.
Antoine Dufour. Intricate guitar and percussive. Extremely talented and interesting but I found it somewhat repetitive after 3 numbers.
In the Masterclass Auditorium
Doyle Dykes. Considered one of the worlds great fingerstyle guitarists and you could see why. Very entertaining.
Jon Gomm. Unique style with a combination of tapping, percussive, intricate fingerstyle and vocal. Almost impossible to see how he produces so much from one guitar although he also uses electronic enhancements for some numbers. Fascinating and highly watchable. Only thing that let him down for me (although his fans whooped and cheered) was his rather condescending remarks about fellow artists whose music he felt was inferior to his (and no doubt was) but you don't in public refer to named individuals and bands as '6-chords wan**rs' in my opinion. His playing spoke for itself but his remarks (repeated later, and also unfortunately by the person from Acoustic Guitar Mag who was introducing him) were unnecessary and reflected badly on him.
Luca Stricagnoli. Without doubt my highlight, made even better by the fact that he is a very humble guy (the opposite of John Gomm) and brilliant. His masterclass showed him breaking down the elements of 2 of his pieces, 'Last of the Mohicans) and Thunderstruck. I could have watched for hours. This was quite eye opening for me as I am not naturally a fan of some of the crash bang wallop of percussive. I would go to see him perform for a full show anywhere. 2 of his videos below.
In between I caught a few snatches of people at the Acoustic café (including Richard Gilewitz)
Oh, and in between there are 30 stands with some beautiful guitars. Nice to wander round particularly if you are focussed on a particular type/style and can compare the feel of similar guitars. Once again however, almost impossible to hear what you were playing because of the environment. (Although my son did buy a beautiful 'Faith' parlour guitar with an excellent discount; but only after disappearing with it for a while into a fire exit).
I really enjoyed this show; for £17.50 entry you get 6 or 7 different acts of 45 minutes each plus a wide range of instruments (my favourite being a 12 string Foggy Bottom from North American Guitars; if I had circa £7k to spend .........).
Only downside still is the lack of availability of places to actually play and listen to a guitar; but I suppose with the number of people and guitars this is difficult to provide.
John
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Sept 14, 2015 13:05:54 GMT
Great report John!  Time they addressed the quiet space(s)problem though. Keith |
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medwards
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My main instrument is: Turner 85CE, Farida D 62-E, Seagull S12
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Post by medwards on Sept 14, 2015 19:15:58 GMT
This was my first visit to any guitar show! My aim was to to escape for a day on my own after a couple of high-stress weeks and try some guitars across a wide range of price and manufacturers. My family were amazed that I came back without an instrument purchase! Highlights:Seeing Martin Carthy playing “My son John” updated with references to Iraq and Afghanistan a true folk song about war and loss now spanning 4 centuries Meeting and chatting with Paul Brett about his current and future guitars, including I think, getting a scoop on a new and as yet unseen version of his Viator traveller (it wasn't ready to show that weekend) This will come with a usb port to interface with 'phones and pc for recording ideas on-the-go. Jon Gomm's incredible playing in his masterclass. The sheer spirit of it plus the musical knowledge and depth he brings to his writing and playing. He has a Fishman blend pickup system, plus a double-bass pickup under the saddle plus at least two other transducers in the guitar body to pick up the percussive slaps taps and caresses to the guitar. He demo'd the sound of each as individual channels through his preamp(s) he has foam blocks on the back of his guitar to allow it to stand away from his body as an isolated soundbox. I agree about the comments he made on other players pointed out by fatfingerjohn though - unnecessary. Seeing Doyle Dykes fluid and crystal clear playing by the Strings & Things stand. And more here.(my phone footage enhanced by their 'phone cameraman's hairy arms...) and see him demonstrate harmonics and bending notes via the headstock runs on his Olsen guitar in a masterclass. Playing some Auden guitars through their Shoertler pickups and amp. and really liking their 000 Chester Cedar top cutaway and the Edgar Baritone. Their sales support team were beyond helpful – they directed me to their quiet room and really listened to me and suggested the Chester after hearing me play a bit with my handful of fingers style on a dreadnaught. Playing lots of aspirational brands of guitar on the Promenade Music (Morcambe Lancs.) stand – I shall just say whether I bonded with them or was repelled! Breedlove (bonded), Atkins (bonded quickly), Collins (bonded), Fylde (bonded), a Dave King Louise Koa, (bonded quickly) Brookes Teign Dread.(bonded instantly) K Yairi New Yorker Parlour guitar(repelled) Martin 000x1 (repelled) And lastly enjoying the look and feel at least, of the Halifax-based dealer, Guitarzone's, display of Cole Clark Australian guitars in woods such as Bunya, Cooba and Tasmanian Blackwood. Their stand was right by the acoustic cafe stage and I couldn't hear what I was playing, but it felt great! Worth a visit to Halifax when I'm ready to choose my next guitar. Lows:Gritting my teeth to see Martin Carthy fighting the advancing years and wishing him safely through his version of the 3rd Man theme tune quickly... Playing the entire Taylor range from 2- 900 series and a 660 12-string I don't remember a single one as a guitar that felt alive in my hands or that I would aspire to. It must have been the ambient noise level I suppose. Walking round the Lowden stand and examining various guitars at least 3 times and not even being being noticed or a word said to me by the sales crew – I must look a tramp! So I didn't pick up a single one – although their Fan-Frets look amazing! Other momentsPlaying lots of Faith guitars (I owned and moved on a Faith Series 1 Saturn) I found most of them - except the parlour Mercury ones - lacking a bit in their depth and they just felt a bit cheaper than I remembered mine to be. Playing an up to date Takamine (repelled) Very interesting to hear about the effect of internet purchasing – up to about £400 people are still; very happy to buy unseen/untried it seems, and to buy big names Taylor/Martin/Takamine/Strats. Anything else in instruments and amplifiers people still need to have demo's and tryouts – long may that be so. In conclusion, I had a really busy day – I sat down for a sandwich and drink for 5 minutes at some point – but the rest of the time I just wallowed in guitars. I would recommend this show for 2016 wholeheartedly.As John has said it was great value too! Mark Edwards |
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Sept 14, 2015 22:18:59 GMT
Excellent reviews thanks for posting. Looks like Carthy may have switched back to his 000-18 rather than the PRS he has been toying with lately? (Have to declare an interest here as I currently have a 000-18MC on ebay  ) |
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Sept 14, 2015 22:27:19 GMT
Playing lots of aspirational brands of guitar on the Promenade Music (Morcambe Lancs.) stand – I shall just say whether I bonded with them or was repelled! ... Brook Teign Dread.(bonded instantly) ... Mark Edwards Coincidentally I also have a Brook Teign on ebay ... PM me if you're interested ... quickly before Martin transports me to the classified section! |
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medwards
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My main instrument is: Turner 85CE, Farida D 62-E, Seagull S12
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Post by medwards on Sept 14, 2015 22:50:40 GMT
Mike that Teign looks lovely.I'm going to resist though, saving for better times!
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Post by ocarolan on Sept 14, 2015 23:08:16 GMT
Excellent review, Mark - thanks for that!
Good to hear that there was at least some provision for quiet appreciation of particular instruments.
Keith
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Post by earwighoney on Sept 15, 2015 20:28:12 GMT
Good write up FFJ and Mark.
A shame to hear about Jon Gomm disrespecting some of the other performers. He posts here (occasionally) and I follow his FB page and he's a really great guy. Incredibly humble about his own music, himself, his mental health (he's bipolar) and other things. He seems like a great guy and I'd be inclined to excuse him on that time, we all say and do things which in retrospect we wish we hadn't said or done.
The Martin Carthy song is great. It's a real shame folk music doesn't protest against the social ills of the time as it once did in the '60's. 'Folk music' in the UK anyway doesn't occupy the same construct as it once did...
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Sept 15, 2015 22:07:26 GMT
Good write up FFJ and Mark. A shame to hear about Jon Gomm disrespecting some of the other performers. He posts here (occasionally) and I follow his FB page and he's a really great guy. Incredibly humble about his own music, himself, his mental health (he's bipolar) and other things. He seems like a great guy and I'd be inclined to excuse him on that time, we all say and do things which in retrospect we wish we hadn't said or done. The Martin Carthy song is great. It's a real shame folk music doesn't protest against the social ills of the time as it once did in the '60's. 'Folk music' in the UK anyway doesn't occupy the same construct as it once did... Re Jon Gomm. It may be that in the context he just got carried away. He was trying to answer a question in relation to the way he creates his music and was using some technical stuff to describe the strange diatonic scales he composes in and the highly unusual and effective tones they create. To demonstrate this he said it was a totally different challenge to Mr x,y,z and Groups a,b,c who he referred to as the 6-chord w***rs.
No doubt as it created an uproar of laughter from his fans he was persuaded to use it again and this was repeated at the end by the announcer as a new term we had all learned. I guess that he did not intend to create specific offence in the context but that's how it came across. Having said that, and repeating my summary in my report, his skill was exceptional and highly individual and entertaining and, not knowing the guy, he may well be very personable and humble as you say and this was just an unfortunate blip.
Thanks for putting this into proportion for me with your inside knowledge.
John
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medwards
Sore Fingers
Posts: 14
My main instrument is: Turner 85CE, Farida D 62-E, Seagull S12
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Post by medwards on Sept 16, 2015 17:08:43 GMT
Good write up FFJ and Mark. A shame to hear about Jon Gomm disrespecting some of the other performers. He posts here (occasionally) and I follow his FB page and he's a really great guy. Incredibly humble about his own music, himself, his mental health (he's bipolar) and other things. He seems like a great guy and I'd be inclined to excuse him on that time, we all say and do things which in retrospect we wish we hadn't said or done. The Martin Carthy song is great. It's a real shame folk music doesn't protest against the social ills of the time as it once did in the '60's. 'Folk music' in the UK anyway doesn't occupy the same construct as it once did... Thank you for that insight Earwighoney! I think that sometimes we are a bit cynical about creative people and attribute behaviour we don't like to their being money-driven or being infatuated by their self-image. In this case I think he was speaking with a passion and trying to convey some of the sense of complexity that comes from within him, I can see a bit more context now so will excuse. He is not yet a mainstream commercial artist - no spotify presence etc., - but his UK Oct. gigs are mainly sold out and he obviously has a good following. I think that if Mozart were in posession of social media in his time, he would have had many followers and many, many, others would have been mightily offended! Jon Gomm spoke as he played with a lot of pent-up energy and unique twists of melody and light and shade. I have been listening to his album "Live In The Acoustic Asylum" since the weekend and it is intriguing. |
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R the F
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Post by R the F on Sept 17, 2015 22:11:52 GMT
Antoine Don't Dufour
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Post by earwighoney on Sept 18, 2015 19:46:07 GMT
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)
Jo whoever he is.
