Gordon Giltrap

Hello, and welcome to this wondrous website of ours. I don’t know how you came to be here but I’m delighted that you have. I hope you can find the time to explore the many aspects of the site and feel moved to leave a comment on our FORUM page.

This year promises to be hopefully the most productive and exciting year of my career thus far. I have many projects in the pipeline and hope that sweet fortune smiles down on me in the form of good health and inspiration to carry forward all these grand plans.

2012 will see the launch of my new Signature GG Elise Electric guitar designed by that genius Trev Wilkinson. This guitar will be part of the ever growing Gordon Giltrap range of instruments aimed at the discerning player who is looking for quality and value for money. I and all my friends at JHS believe we have done that already with the award winning VE 2000 GG acoustic which received an MIA award for best acoustic guitar of 2011! We hope the Elise will receive similar accolades. This wonderful guitar will be available in the spring. It is part of the Fret- King Black label range. For full information on this superb new guitar, do check out the JHS/Fret-King website for more details. or Click Here

I am currently working with Rob Aitchison of www.exploraudio.com to promote a Signature GG H clamp,
a wonderful device for use in live performance and recording. The H clamp fits securely to most acoustic instruments and will accommodate most microphones. It allows movement whilst recording, thus maintaining a chosen mike position for ones instrument. There are H clamp’s to fit most instruments including cello and double bass as well as percussion.  A beautifully engineered product, and made in England!

On the creative front I am currently collaborating with that outstanding keyboard player Mr Oliver Wakeman. He and I are working together on my first “rock” album since the late 70’s. This project will see a return to my “Prog Rock” roots, and the prospect of working with a man considered by many to be one of the best in the business truly excites me!

Another man regarded by many as an outstanding talent is my friend Troy Donockley, master pipe player, record producer, arranger and composer. Troy is currently touring the globe with Nightwish, but on his return 12 months hence we plan to get together and create something special.  Watch this space.

Echoes of Heaven, the album of devotional/spiritual music is set for “official” release on Easter Day, which is quite fitting for an album of this nature. I say “official” release because in real terms one can purchase the album now via the internet and ITUNES.

With the release we are planning an extensive PR campaign. Once again...... Watch this space.

If you would like me to grace your home with a private concert or be a part of an official dinner as an after dinner speaker, all the information is contained within the portals of the website.

We hope you enjoy your look around and hope you return again and again for regular monthly updates of all my current news and information on forthcoming projects and concerts.

Be well all.
Gordon Giltrap.
January 2012

HEADLINES.....

Update 4th May 2012

Great British Folk Festival, Butlins Skegness

Gordon is delighted to have been booked to play once again at the Great British Folk Festival, Butlins Skegness on 1st Dec 2012.

Despite heavy snow a brilliant weekend was had by all at the first Festival 2 years ago, with Gordon playing to around 2 1/2 - 3 thousand people, his standing ovation richly deserved. For many people he was the highlight of the weekend and we received some great comments. To g a feel for the event enjoy the video below or go to Gordon's You Tube Channel to see for yourselves.

If you are thinking of coming along for the weekend we strongly suggest you book as soon as possible - many people booked this years Festival as they left last years ! Accommodation is already somewhat limited.

Update 1st May 2012

Memories Of Bert Weedon

Please read my Memories Of Bert Weedon on the May News Update page HERE

R.I.P. Bert

Update 9th April 2012

Gordon joins Twitter

You can now keep up to date with all the latest happenings by following Gordon on Twitter @GordonGiltrap

Update 8th April 2012

Jim Marshall passes

I recently found out through our discussion forum that Jim Marshall had passed away.
I have written my memories of Jim which you can read HERE
Another sad day.
RIP James.
Another legend gone.

G.

Update 1st March 2012

Receptive Relaxation

I’m very excited to let you know about a new project I’ve been working on.

I have long been a devotee of Hypnotherapy and the power of the subconscious mind. To that end I’m delighted to report that a complete range of programmes to help folk with over eating, smoking, stress etc is now available to download from iTunes. The programme is entitled Receptive Relaxation

Update 12th Jan 2012

Echoes Of Heaven - Out Now

You will have read above that I have been working with friends Martin Green and Carol Sampson on a new vocal project ‘Echoes of Heaven’. Well, I’m delighted to report that it is now finished and out there on ITUNES.

The album will be officially launched in the New Year with an extensive PR campaign, but in the meantime treat yourself to something different by downloading this album.

This album is somewhat of a departure for me featuring the wonderful voice of Carol on existing tracks, one of them being a ‘classic’. More than that I shan’t say and leave it up to you to explore this new avenue in the career of GG. Full details are in the Discography section.

This is an album brim full of spiritual and I believe sincere and heartfelt sentiments from two very special and gifted people.

The CD can be purchased from www.sentimental-journey.co.uk,  Amazon or downloaded from iTunes 

Update 1st Dec 2011

Vintage Gordon Giltrap signature acoustic wins MIA's Acoustic Guitar Of The Year award.

The winner of The Guitar Techniques 'Acoustic Guitar of the Year' in the annual MIA (Music Industries Association) Music Awards was the Vintage Gordon Giltrap Signature acoustic model by John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd which beat off stiff competition to take the victory.

The annual MIA (Music Industries Association) Music Awards were held at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel on November 30th, with leading musical products and MI groups vying for top prizes.

The VE2000GG (£499rrp) is a deserving winner, having achieved ace reviews from magazines around the world, as well as an receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from players worldwide, including high profile names like John Parr, worldwide 12-string authority Paul Brett, and Billy Hawkins of the award-winning Fishermen’s Friends.

Guitar players clearly appreciate Gordon’s Vintage signature guitar, as they voted for it in their droves on the MusicRadar website, demonstrating that the VE2000GG is a winner with the public and music dealers.

On the victory for his signature model, Gordon Giltrap said: “Getting this award is a great honour, and for me ranks alongside the Ards Festival lifetime achievement award and my Ivor Novello award nomination. Credit must surely go to the guitar's designer, Rob Armstrong, and to Dennis Drumm and all the team at JHS.”

Dennis Drumm, JHS's Managing Director, said: “Awards are great of course, and the fact that a public vote produced this result makes it an even more welcome accolade, and highlights some of the cornerstones of the Vintage brand: great design, great quality, and, of course, great value.”

The MIA Music Awards have become a major celebration for the whole music products industry, honouring the best-selling and most reliable and innovative products and retail initiatives in the UK and celebrating the top individuals and organisations within the musical instrument industry.

The awards ceremony was supported by media partners Classic FM, Future Publishing and MI Pro, and featured 25 categories in total celebrating and rewarding success in every sector of the industry.

Vintage guitars are distributed worldwide by John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd. For more information, visit the JHS website

There is a full review of the event by Gordon in the January News page and more on the full guitar range HERE.

Update 1st Dec 2011Bert Jansch RIP

It was with deep personal sadness that I heard of the passing of my dear friend Bert Jansch on the morning of Wednesday October 5th 2011.

His music changed my life as a young man, and his friendship enriched it as I grew older. I looked on him with awe, almost like the older brother that I never had. His music was almost a part of my DNA.I longed for his approval, and when I did receive it, it meant more than words can tell.

With his passing, my life and the thousands who shared the love of his art will never be the same again.

Let history tell of our friendship, and the highest regard I had for this towering genius.

My 10th Oct Birmingham concert was dedicated to the memory of my dear friend Bert

There is now a News page here which has just been updated with more info about Gordon and Bert's friendship and a report on Bert's funeral. We have also added a video of the two friends backstage before a show in 2009 and a tribute to Bert's wife Loren who sadly passed away a few weeks after him.


After Dinner Speaking

Gordon has successfully embarked on a new aspect of his career, and that is as an after dinner speaker!

Those of you who have witnessed one of Gordon's concerts will know what a great raconteur he is with a wealth of anecdotes and stories from a career that spans 45 years.

The after dinner speaking consists of music and stories. In essence this is a mini version of a Gordon Giltrap concert but with a tad more chat!

Please contact Sue Webster on 01905 721881 for more information.



Update 5th April 2011 New 4 Parts Guitar CD - out now

4 Parts Guitar - Gordon Giltrap, Raymond Burley, John Etheridge and Clive Carroll are on tour around the UK now. If you are lucky enough to attend one of these great shows make sure you purchase the CD - also called 4 Parts Guitar. This superb limited edition CD is now available to purchase from GuitarCds.

You can hear some samples in the Discography section HERE

Update 1st Feb 2011

Heartsong

Heartsong has been voted number 4 in the top 50 greatest instrumental pieces of all time in Acoustic Magazine’s Readers Poll. The number one spot went to Rodrigo's Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez, and list includes some major names. Number 4 is an honour though methinks. Glad I wrote it!

Read more about Heartsong in the Feb News page.

Acoustic Magazine Readers Poll Top 10

01: Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez - Joaquin Rodrigo
02: Heart Of Gold - Neil Young
03: The Times They Are a-Changin' - Bob Dylan
04: Heartsong - Gordon Giltrap
05: Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
06: Hurt - Johnny Cash
07: Pink moon - Nick Drake
08: Yesterday - The Beatles
09: Father And Son - Cat Stevens
10: You've Got a Friend - James Taylor

Update 1st June 2010

SHINING MORN CD OUT NOW

A brand new studio album from one of the most accomplished acoustic guitarist this country has produced. GORDON GILTRAP has a career stretching back to the late 60's. Gordon's work leans more to classical than rock. He is joined on the final track by old friend and long time collaborator Rick Wakeman and is touring extensively in the UK through out MAY/JUNE 2010 to promote this album - see info further down this page.

The accompanying booklet gives background details of each track including the tunings used for each piece along with photos of the other artists involved in the recording, Rick Wakeman, Andrew Bernardi, Hilary Ashe-Roy, Ian Carnegie and Karen Tweed. Full info and track samples HERE

GET UP CLOSE AND INTIMATE WITH GORDON

During his 40 year career, Gordon has played in pretty much every kind of venue in the UK from the grandeur of Birmingham's Symphony Hall to tiny, out of the way village halls. He enjoys performing in all types of venues and particularly loves the challenge that the smaller venues present where the front rows of the audience are 'up close and intimate'.

This is where YOU come in. If you would like Gordon to perform a private concert especially for you and your friends in your home (or at a venue of your choice) then call or email Sue Holton ( details on the Contact page )

Why not make your personal concert with Gordon even more memorable by having a CD recording as a memento of your exclusive event?

Subject to availability, Mike, one of Gordon's regular sound technicians, will accompany Gordon and make a recording to professional standards of Gordon's music and chat. He'll also include any short speeches from the occasion as well as audience reaction and applause. The recording will then be mixed, edited and mastered and presented to you as two copies of an audio CD with appropriate artwork and in library cases. (Further CDs can be produced at additional cost.)

To find out more about this permanent reminder of your private concert please ask Sue Holton for details when you first contact her.

We guarantee you and your guests an exclusive night to remember with personal entertainment from one of the UK's top guitarists.

Read the News Update pages for extra details on these items and more.

You will read it first here on the website, but make sure you don't miss anything by signing up for Gordon's email newsletter "Airwaves" Click the link in the column to your right.