Clive Carroll - Milverton (Nr Taunton)

I saw Clive Carroll last night. I was sat in the front row (about 5 foot away) so I had a close up of his technique. He really is a very, very good musician, better than I thought - and I thought he was good before. I speak as someone who, at one time, saw enough Martin Simpson concerts to be able to repeat his stories between songs. What was interesting about Clive Carroll was, I think the musical term is 'colours', the range of sounds that he he drew out of the instrument. For every note e.g. C, 3rd fret 5th string he seemed to have about 10 options i.e. pluck near the bridge, directly over the soundhole, nearer to the frets, arpeggio, fingerpick, plectrum, etc. I know the technique but I've never seen someone use so many techniques so well - it made the music very varied, subtle changes in tone happening all the time. I was amazed, and I'm not usually nowadays. The highlight was Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. I sat there thinking that to pull off a tune like that to a standard audience, albeit there were probably a good few guitarists in the audience, takes some doing.

The choice of repertoire was interesting as well. He started with an Argentinian Tune, then Brazilian, then Mexican, then Texas, then Mississippi Blues, then Old English, a ridiculously fast Irish jig, a Scottish Suite, and a Beatles tune. I still wouldn't limit it by labelling it a world music concert - it was an excellent musician really playing an instrument.

If you get a chance to see him I'd recommend sitting close and watching his technique - it really is something.

Martin