Wishing.....And Hoping.

to everyone who travels by Stargoose and Hanglands,

in hopes that we can all travel a little further next year.

**********

One thing I've missed above all others this year is being able to go to the many concerts, fairs and shows where live music is performed. To make up for this deficit I've been giving YouTube a hammering recently, searching for some of those musicians I've heard in the past. 

At this time of year I should have been at Mill Road Winter Fair in Cambridge where, a while ago, I encountered the young woman on the right, Becky Langan, playing her guitar in the street. At first I was mesmerised by her sheer dexterity as she attacked the strings in all kinds of unfathomable ways - my photo is supposed to give you some idea of her unconventional approach. Then I stood back and just enjoyed the shimmering music that brightened a dull and chilly afternoon. 

Hearing her video on YouTube the other evening transported me right back there. Give it a listen - I guarantee that if won't be what you expect....

Hurriyah, the title of the piece, means freedom in Arabic.

(I recommend clicking on the little box at the bottom-right of the video for the full wide-screen experience!).

Parallel Paths | Becky Langan (bandcamp.com) : to listen to, download or buy a CD of some of Becky's music.

Take care.

A Slow Drag

There's not much going on here at the moment, which is the main reason for there being so few posts recently. It's been very grey and drizzly, not too bad for walking but less than ideal for photography. But Robin and Roger, over on their New Dharma Bums blog, posted some wonderful music by the great Jeff Beck (and somebody called Clapton, whoever he is.... 😀), so I thought I ought to reciprocate.

Now when I first used to frequent folk clubs they were full of excellent, but rather exhibitionist, acoustic guitarists. Weird tunings, odd time-signatures, bizarre chords, and versions of obscure blues and ragtime pieces;  all played at finger-busting speed to defeat all but the most dedicated guitar nerd. How pleasant it was one evening then to be entertained by a modest, slim, smiling Welshman who played with relaxed grace, style and gentle humour. He's got just a little older since then but still remains relatively unknown. I give you Mr John James......

Strangely enough this is the way that Scott Joplin, the writer of tunes like The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag, intended the music to be played, slowly and elegantly. For Joplin really wanted to be taken seriously as a composer on a par with Chopin or Liszt. But for a black man writing music around 1900 that was never going to be.

Take care.

Guitar Heroes

A while ago I was wandering through the streets of my hometown when I came across a young man playing the guitar in a novel way. I've since come across others playing in this style. Looking at YouTube the other evening I came across what I think is the guitarist I saw in Cambridge.

His name is Stefan Joubert - that's all I can tell you.


Then I wondered about other odd ways of playing the instrument and few can be odder than this guitarist from Botswana....

...fancy fingering, eh?


Or perhaps Hannes Coetzee has the edge....

...fancy spooning!


Not so much a guitarist, but I'd love to encounter this fellow on the street...

But this must be the most fun that anyone has ever had with a guitar...

Take care.