Author Archives: Dave

Songwriters and guitar players: have you moved with the times or are you frozen in time?

I’m talking about the currency of your original musical output. Some of us, I’m sure, are now writing and playing stuff more or less indistinguishable style-wise from the days when we first strutted our stuff. Others will, I’m equally sure, … Continue reading

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Songwriting: Sometimes There Is Fear

Not everything about the act of songwriting is all cuddly and cosy. There are times when the topic of a song is such that the act of considering it deeply enough to write several verses about it makes me feel … Continue reading

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Hard Rock in Palermo

Last week this day was my 60th (sixtieth) birthday. I am now sixty-and-one-fifty-secondth-years-old. The eve of my birthday was spent on vacation in Sicily with my family sitting in a humble trattoria near the sea in Palermo. After which, and … Continue reading

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Fellow Guitarists: How Much Do You Get Into – And Out Of – Musical Theory?

I was classically trained on guitar for a very short spell when I was very young – the only (but priceless) two benefits I got out of the experience was the ability to read music and to play fingerstyle. The … Continue reading

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New Song: “You Didn’t See The White Man Coming”

This is nearly finished. Finished apart from living with it and then possibly tweaking the sound and writing it down – at least the guitar part. No plan for including it on any CD, or anything like that. Maybe it’ll … Continue reading

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More On Musicians’ Aches and Pains (well, mine actually)

I wrote here about this stuff. And in my 60th year I always keep a look out for wee niggles and aches that might be something could impinge on guitar playing. Well a couple of months ago I didn’t need … Continue reading

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Folk Music: Is It Art?

I’ve read in an academic tome that folk songs and art songs should be considered as distinct. Not this but an interesting read, anyway: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_song I understand the reasoning to be that art songs are composed as intentional artistic works … Continue reading

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My Friends in Edinburgh (Part 1) – Calum Carlyle

As a first part of what I hope will be a series of “hats-off” to friends who happen to be fine musicians, songwriters and entertainers whom I’ve met in the past couple of years since I’ve moved to Edinburgh, I … Continue reading

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Tabs and Notations Page Updated

I have (finally) updated the tabs and notation page with most of the songs from Good Grief! As ever, I hope they give pleasure and interest for those inclined to explore them and try them out. I will try and get … Continue reading

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Good Grief! The CD Is Released!

I’m proud to announce the release today of my new CD, Good Grief! The CD and downloads can be purchased worldwide from CD Baby using the link below: Or for £8.00 with FREE delivery UK and Europe customers can buy … Continue reading

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