General News

Gardiner Houlgate Guitar Auction

Whenever l write a monthly news page, I always look back at previous months to make sure I'm not repeating myself, but this month I shall be making reference to some of last month’s news but with some new additions.

Last month I told you about the upcoming June guitar auction hosted by Gardiner Houlgate and my reasons and feeling about parting with guitars that have been in my life for literally years.

The Gordon Giltrap Guitar Collection

This month I discovered quite by accident whilst scrolling through Facebook marketplace, a sponsored advert for a guitar auction. Out of curiosity I clicked on it.

Low and behold there was a video of Luke Hobbs of Gardiner Houlgate outlining their quarterly auctions, and particularly their music related ones. He then went on to talk about the June one featuring my instruments.

He then proceeded to carefully and lovingly take each one out of its case whilst holding it like it was some precious jewel, explaining in great detail it's history.

Luke's tone was so reverential that it felt like these instruments of mine belonged to someone else. It was like he was showing guitars that belonged to the likes of Dave Gilmore or Mark Knopfler or Paul McCartney but not Gordon Giltrap!

Luke's attention to detail was truly overwhelming and the company have done me proud. I can't recommend them highly enough. Anyone out there who wish to go down the auction house route look no further than these guys they will do you proud I promise you.

The Gordon Giltrap Collection | June 2025 Guitar Auction Consignment Update Special

Click on the link and see for yourself. It really is a textbook example of how to present these lovely old guitars of mine in their best light.

Thankyou Luke and all the staff at Gardiner Houlgate for doing me proud.

A new way to purchase some of my merchandise

As some of you will have already seen, my dear friend Rob Ayling has set up an online shop with MusicGlue

https://www.musicglue.com/gordon-giltrap-official-shop

From here he will be selling a selection of collectable merchandise such as my latest Starfield CD or stunning re-releases such as 'From Brush and Stone'.

Their customer service email for any enquiries is: CS@gonzodistributionltd.com

Just in case you missed the earlier posts, you can read all about the new vinyl 'From Brush and Stone' release HERE

The 'From Brush and Stone' CD / DVD release HERE

And 'Starfield' EP HERE

Speaking of 'Starfield'

One of my favourite tracks on the 'Starfield' EP is '12 Towers at Dawn' re imagined by my wonderful Italian friend Alessandro Corvaglia. I have always loved his arrangement of the piece.

I decided it would be nice to get out my original TAB and revisit. It’s always an interesting journey to look at old pieces and try to play them and more to the point REMEMBER them.

I find it challenging and thought provoking as to my creative mindset at the time which enabled me to come up with something that was pleasing to the ear.

I'm enjoying it!

I also received this email a few days ago, you will need to translate it from the Italian!

Ciao Gordon. Our review of "Starfield", will be published on our web site at 6:00 AM of April 21, 2025.

Here is the link: https://www.artistsandbands.org/ver2/recensioni/recensioni-album/12024-gordon-giltrap-starfield

Ciao (the editorial staff of Artists and Bands)

A Special Guitar

I want to share with you this special Vintage VEC 1900 N guitar. This guitar was once owned by Carrie Martin and now it's mine.

Obviously, many of the more high-end guitars I have, significantly my beautiful Fyldes will outshine pretty much any guitar on the planet but some of my budget guitars have their own worth and charm and this guitar is one of them.

What makes it special is that when my beloved Hilary was ill Carrie and I would sit round her bed and play for her...The guitar that Carrie used was this one which of course carries a very emotional memory and because of that it will always stay in the family.

I'm currently firtling it, checking out the action and giving it some TLC. I used this very guitar for the brand-new recording of 'The Dodo's Dream' which features the work of Paul White and is on the 'Starfield' EP. Even though it was plugged into the desk it sounded really good with a little assistance of course from Mr White’s recording engineering genius in place.

What makes this guitar sound so sweet is the use of Lacewood for the body construction giving it quite a unique tone. I have never used it live so maybe the time is right now who knows!

Fylde Guitars

In last month’s newsletter Roger Bucknall of Fylde guitars wanted to use a video of me playing an early Fylde 12 string for his news page.

Here is the link and filmed by our amazing webmaster Sue Holton.

https://youtu.be/SkPKwwGIySE?si=A439-wTDIbg9KZxl

I have to say that I'm impressed with the performance bearing in mind how tough playing tricky stuff on a 12 string can be.

The piece in question is that old chestnut 'Ives Horizon' from my very first album. Although a rather refined version it still stands up melodically after all these years. Gosh 57 years old.

A special event coming up.

I would like to highlight this event on 27th July. It will be at the fabulous Menuhin Hall and in aid of a very worthwhile cause, The Painshill Park Trust Access Fund For Children.

I'm really looking forward to the evening and seeing many friends old and new there on the night to lend your support. Please note the early start time of 5pm. Details on the Concerts section.

I enjoyed two concerts of note last month

Feast of Fiddles and Million Dollar Bash. The latter celebrating Ashley Hutchings 80th birthday at Birmingham Town with a stella line up including...

Blair Dunlop, Judy Dunlop, Chris While, Julie Matthews, Richard Thompson, Ric Sanders, John Kirkpatrick,

Martin Carthy, Rainbow Chasers, John Tams, Ken Nicol, Simon Nicol, Cathy Lesurf, Graham Taylor.

And many more plus the great man himself of course.

It reminded me of how much I love folk music and although never really been a folk singer I was of course associated with it and have been since 1966.

My love for the genre has never waned. Many highlights on the night of course, but for me the jewel in the crown was my dear friend Judy Dunlop whose performance on one of her self-penned songs accompanied by Julie While's superb piano brought me to tears. A great friend and truly great artist.

A night to remember.