Category: A Blog… of sorts

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 by way of walking off much pasta and pizza, we went a-strolling along the shore.…

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 biggest downside was I developed a loathing for classical guitar music which has lasted to…

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 to keep a look out. It slapped me right in the face – or in the neck to be precise. I “pulled…

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 with formal consideration of form, structure, melody, harmony and accompaniment – whereas folk songs arise…

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 think you will be entertained by the gifted Calum Carlyle. Calum is a fine player,…

Dougal, the enigmatic, often aloof, but highly respected record producer has today passed away. His faithful servant, Julie, was with him at the end. I had a last minute compering engagement to meet so I couldn’t be there. That will haunt me for some time. We are both heartbroken. We have both lost a mentor…

This received from one of my online distributors where I host and occasionally sell some of my songs and who offer promotional opportunities to artists. It caused me to deploy one of my large stock of well-practiced wry smiles: “Dave Keir, The promoter IMR Magazine has not accepted your submission for the campaign IMR Magazine…

I used to smile with disdain when I read about acoustic guitar players whose playing was being limited – or even stopped – by the onset of complaints that frequently afflict us oldies. I uncharitably thought that it was probably more to do with their technique and posture rather than any real handicap. I couldn’t…