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High Barn, Great Bardfield, Essex. Friday 07th Mar 08

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:41 pm
by Natasha
Hello Gordon

Much to our regret we’d not heard of you prior to seeing your “virtual” performance on the Rick Wakeman Grumpy Picture Show in Ipswich last Autumn.

We were knocked out by your style & expertise, so my Xmas presents included your Guitar Maestro and performance at the Birmingham Symphony Hall DVDs.

On Friday 07th Mar, we lucky to see you live at the High Barn, Great Bardfield, Essex. You exceeded all our expectations, not just the quality of your music & presentation which goes without saying, but how you gave yourself freely, meeting & greeting during the interlude. The whole “GG experience” is now a wonderful memory.

Looking forward to seeing you again when you come to Chelmsford in June.

Natasha & Sarah

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:30 pm
by GORDON
Dear Natasha and Sarah.

Friday night was very special for me in many ways. The venue was stunning, the sound was outstanding, and I met some beautiful people during the course of the evening including your good selves, and to add to that to have in the audience my friend Peter Howarth, a man who is currently the singer with the Hollies and who for many years worked with, and still does from time to time as session vocalist for Sir Cliff. It just doesn't get any better than that.

I'm particularly thrilled that my music came to your attention via my work with my good friend Maestro Wakeman,this is indeed is a double joy. As you know, Rick and I have our first duo album released this year. I'm really pleased with it,and I'm sure you will be also.

Thankyou for those wonderful words. All of this just continues to remind me what a privilege it is to do what I do, and regards chatting to folk during the break,this is SO easy for me especially when I meet lovely people like yourselves. See you all in Chelmsford yes?

Warmest of Regards.

G.

A Fantastic Evening

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:26 pm
by denval
What a fantastic evening all round.

The High Barn is tucked away in rural Essex at Great Bardfield, not far from Finchingfiled the most photgraphed village in England (allegedly).

The venue is based in a restored barn which could be best described as a Cathedral in Wood. It is Grade II listed and dates from medieval times.

The high ceiling timbers were illuminated in golden light and the auditorium atmosphere was more akin to a sophisticated restuarant / bar.

A capacity audience saw a trully great musician performing in what must be the one of the best informal music venues in the UK.

Gordon's performance as ever was flawless and he has introduced a "12 string" back into his Backing Group of guitars. He played a number of titles including Rainbow Kites on the 12 string, which took on a new lease of life and sounded much richer than on the conventional guitar.

The new Polycarbonate guitar featured more prominently and as Gordon mused is made from the same material as vandal proof bus shelters. Well if Ford can have a concerto played on Focus car parts why not.

The audience were totaly absorbed and none more so than Peter Howarth, who apart from being the current lead singer with the Hollies is an accomplished singer / composer and guitarist in his own right. He had for many years wanted to see Gordon live. So no pressure for Gordon that night.......... I know Peter was particularly impressed with the Baritone Guitar and the rendition of Isabella's Wedding.

I am sure everyone present enjoyed a very memorable evening.

Denis Teulon.

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:46 pm
by TTToni
After winding through the Essex countryside in the dark for nearly an hour, passing many litle villages, filled with plenty of 'Are you sure we're going the right way?'s, 'where are we now?'s, 'why do we have to go around the fields?' and 'Dad, you missed the turning's we arrived at the High Barn in Great Bardfield. Automatically I thought to text the boyfriend, however a quick check of my mobile revealed we were truly in the middle of nowhere; no signal. I strongly regretted not bringing my ipod about halfway through the journey. There's only so much Radio 2 a teenager can stand to listen to.


The High Barn is a stunning venue. Upon entering I began to question whether it was a good idea to have lit candles in a large wooden building. Its an enormous place, quite pretty really. After getting some drinks and finding our table (the man on our table turned out to be a fellow guitar player, parents pleasantly baffled at guitar talk) I thought I spotted Sue, so I first popped to the toilet then introduced myself. Fortunately, it was Sue. Chatted for a little bit (shook hands with Hilary and Peter Howarth which was just one of those right time, right place things) then made way back to my table before Gordon came on stage.
Admitedly last night was the first time I've been to an acoustic concert. It was a pleasant surprise to find my ears weren't ringing afterwards. Gordon played beautifully and gave a quick introduction to each guitar as he picked them up. I wish more musicians would do this, for once I didn't leave wondering how I could find out what gear was being used. I loved the sound of the Polymer guitar. It's very different to a traditional wooden guitar, but I quite like different. The Fylde looked and sounded stunning. The fanned frets almost made the guitar look rather wonky, which is how I described it to mum when she wanted to know if Gordon had a 12 string guitar (yes she did attempt to count the number of strings too). The first half of the show ended on a high.

During the interval I swanned over clutching one of the 3 vinyl records I'd brought with us. I took Fear Of The Dark and had it signed by Gordon. It was great to meet him and my dad also had a picture from the Visionary album signed. During the second half of the concert, towards the end Gordon dedicated Lucifer's Cage to me (mum was thrilled to bits, couldn't quite believe it was me) which was a shock. Not only did I have a song dedicated to me, but it just so happened to be my favourite one. He played Lucifer's Cage and Heartsong with a great sense of energy and by the end of the night I had pulled the muscles in the right side of my neck where I'd tilted my head in wonder for the entire duration that Gordon was onstage. Afterwards, I met with Gordon again, this time taking Perilous Journey to be signed, which was for myself and had a few pictures taken.
It was a great night and well worth venturing out in the middle of nowhere.
A big thank you to Gordon, it was great to meet you and to hear your music live. My dad has waited for 30 years to see you and saw not disappointed, its about time he went to one of your concerts.

I'm determined to see Gordon Giltrap play again, it was a fantastic experience. My friends better regret they didn't come!
All the best,
Toni

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:02 pm
by GORDON
Hi Tony.

What a joy to meet you and your lovely family. PLEASE come to see me play again.

Love to all.

G.

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:24 pm
by Sue
Hi Toni,

it was great to meet you and your parents too, and a superb night all round. I have several lovely photos of your meeting with Gordon which I will send you tomorrow as soon as I get time ! I'll also post a page on the main site about the evening, and use some of your posting if I may.

in the meantime, you may like this to be going on with....

Image

Sue

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:38 pm
by Sue
Photos from the High Barn gig are now in the Gallery section here:

http://www.giltrap.co.uk/index.php?page=imgallery&category=02--High_Barn_7th_March_2008 and a page of reviews here:

http://www.giltrap.co.uk/index.php?page=bio&category=05--Fan_Reviews&display=1708

Thanks for your contributions folks !

Sue

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:43 pm
by Mike Stranks
Sorry to be the pedant Sue, but I think the Gallery should be 7 March, not 7 February.

Good photos!

Mike

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:20 pm
by Sue
No worries. I prefer to know if I've made a mistake. I've changed the page and redone all the links ( I hope ! ) :oops:

Mind you, after the day I've had, its a miracle you got these galleries at all ! I've got water leaking into our living room and conservatory due to the high winds and rain. Buckets and towels everywhere trying to soak it up.
:cry:
I think it is getting blown under the hanging tiles but I can't see where and of course no builders will go up and look until the weather improves. Oh well, I suppose the living room was due to be redecorated... just wasn't planning on doing it yet - too many gigs to go to...

Sue

High Barn

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:50 pm
by radio10
Hi Gordon,

Just a note to say how much I enjoyed last Friday's performance at Gt Bardfield.

Indeed your music and the beautiful environment were in spiritual harmony...

(How many venues can you drive right up to and park for free! )

I wanted to tell you my first electric guitar was also a Hofner Verithin (cherry sunburst). The "deluxe" it was described as, but no Bigsby.

Just a question: "Heartsong" inevitably reminded me of John Carter and Ann Greg, which got me thinking, did you do a second theme that was used for subsequent series?

Regards
Richard