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Q: My
question is about 'David'. Every time I listen to it I am amazed at
its power. What is the story behind this song? How did you write it?
What inspired you to write it? - from Aida
A: I am
glad you like this one. 'David' was the last tune I wrote for 'First
Touch'. 'David' is the name of a friend of mine who died in the summer
of '95. His wife called me the next day and asked if I could write him
a tune. I said I would without thinking and the result is this tune
which I wrote without that same afternoon without thinking. It's
almost as if it wrote itself. I was just there. I think this is the
quickest I have ever composed anything. Usually I like to take my time
trying all options with a piece. This one came out the way you hear
it. It was written and recorded, as you hear it in less than an hour.
I feel 'David' is the tune that was the last piece in the jigsaw for
'First Touch'.
Q: About a month ago I first saw you on an episode of Studio Jams. How
you came up with the two instrumental songs 'Rush Hour' and 'Otis'.
They are a couple of the best instrumental songs I have ever heard and
I am wondering if you can tell me, what inspired you to write those
two particular songs? - from Samuel
A: 'Rush
Hour' was originally written and recorded as a kind of power acoustic
track. I like playing with styles like this. Playing it on the Jam
sessions is really how it should always have been i.e. with a rhythm
section, so I really enjoyed the process of going for it in this way.
'Otis' was written for my son by the same name. It's quite a simple
structured jam.
Q: I’d
like to know if you’ve used alternative tunings in any song. I have
been able to play 'Eclipse' using standard tuning, even if I am not
quite sure, because some clusters in it made me think of some dropped
string. Second, did you play with fingers or pick? Third, did you use
an Ovation with nylon or steel strings? Fourth, in which tracks did
you use two guitars (or more) and where is it only one guitar?
Finally, are you thinking to publish transcriptions of your music? -
from Pierfrancesco
A: Wow,
that's a lot of questions! I will do my best: On 'Eclipse' I used
normal tuning. On 'Looking For' I used DADGAD, on 'Rush Hour' and
'February Sun' I used a dropped D and on 'Ten Years' I used a dropped
C. The guitar I played was a P-Project electric nylon string made in
Japan. The only tunes that aren't two guitars are 'Eclipse', 'Ten
Years' and 'David'. All the tunes are played with fingers. I prefer
the sound. In the last few years I have been playing with fingers and
without nails. It's a warmer sound. Less bright. I have been very
influences by South American music, particularly from Brazil (Egberto
Gismonte, Jobim etc), Venezuela (Antonio Lauro) and Argentina
(folklore music, not necessarily tango). I am still influenced by
American, Spanish and Arabic music and of course I am influenced by
the music of J.S. Bach. He is the original genius. I haven't published
'First Touch' for guitar but a lot of people ask me so it is maybe
something to think about.
Q: Please
can you tell me the tuning of your guitar on 'Ten Years' on the 'First
Touch' album? - from Christopher
A: The
tuning I use for 'Ten Years' is normal except the low E string drops
to a C.
Q: I've not had the chance to hear you play live yet but I was
wondering as some of your songs are quite short do you play around
with the arrangement to space them out for the gig? Also what was the
time signature for 'Truco'? - from Chris
A: It is
true we make the arrangements longer in concerts. This is to show or
play with different variations. I don't see the need to do this on
record because I only want to say what is relevant. For some reason my
tunes (or stories) are quite short. Even I get bored with too many
words (or notes). I am glad you asked me about 'Truco'. I am proud to
say it is all in 4/4. The first stab you hear is on 3 and...
Q: I am
always moved (sometimes to tears) when I listen to 'Last Song' from
'Second Nature', the best word I have to describe it is "tender." I
would ask you what you were thinking about when you wrote it, but if I
am correct, it was written by Sir Elton John. A lot of how a song
sounds also has to do with how the musician who is performing it
interprets and plays it. What does the song mean to you? - from Deb
A: The
reasons for doing this song are very personal and very sad. I am glad
you get something out of it.
Q: A
friend of mine just gave me 'Second Nature', (very good by the way), and
I was thinking: 'The Last Song', do you play that solo or is there a
second guitar? - from Phillip
A: This is
played on two guitars. I have since worked out a version for solo
guitar.
Q: My
favourite song from 'Second Nature' is 'Foi Boa'. What is it about? -
From Nina
A: I am so
glad you like 'Second Nature' and I am happy to tell you 'Foi Boa' is
my favourite track too. That was the first one I recorded. It is about
the experience of meeting someone you love and would like to know and
love more and more knowing you might never meet again. It's about the
subject of a memory of something like love being more meaningful than
the action. It's about longing.
Q: On
Sunday evening I listened to 'Second Nature' and again extremely enjoyed
'If'. It's a really fantastic song. It makes me feel being close to
the ocean since I listened to it last year when I was in Italy. The
feeling I had then is a very lasting experience... I always remember
the smooth movement of the waves. - From Alex
A: I am
glad you like 'If'. The tune was originally meant to mean 'If I could
love someone it would only be you'.
Q: I have
a question about the 'Second Nature' album. I think I listen to it
more than any other CD because it makes me feel so relaxed. My
favourite piece is 'Quiero Decirte.' I was just wondering what it
means in English and what inspired you to write it. Beautiful music. -
from Anna
A: I am
glad you like 'Quiero Decirte'. It was actually the first tune I wrote
for the album. I means "I want to tell you". It's about wanting to
tell someone you love them but are too embarrassed or not ready.
Q: I bought 'Third World' a week ago and I like it very much, it's
very emotional and interesting, the music I'm searching for and find.
I'm practising 'Letter Unsent' by ear. These riffs really make me
imagine someone singing on that track. Would you please tell me the
story behind that unsent letter? - from Andris
A: I am
glad you like this tune. Actually I also imagined this one as a song
because I was originally singing the melody. Most of my tunes start
out this way. But in the end I made it an instrumental. It is not
difficult to play. I hope you enjoy it.
Q: My
question, what ever inspired you to write such a beautiful song as
'Forgotten Dream' on 'Third World'? It's like no other I've ever
heard. I'd like to know what was going through your head at the time.
- From Bonnie
A:
'Forgotten Dream' is exactly what it says on the label. I woke up one
morning with a unique feeling that I had had some amazing beautiful,
but sad dream but couldn't for the life of me remember what it was or
who was in it. So I documented this feeling or emotion in the only
language I really knew how. Music.
Q: I have
read that you feel better able to express yourself in instrumental
music than lyrics. I was pleasantly surprised to hear on 'Third World'
the song (with lyrics) 'Denver Sun'. I am curious about this song and
the lyrics. I believe the liner notes give credit to William Topley
for "vocals". Did you write the lyrics and what was is like for you to
put lyrics to your music and publish it? - From Deb
A: William
Topley is one of my best friends. Being an intimate kind of album I
wanted to include a 'friend'. The lyrics are his and the music mine.
It deals with the life of a musician on the road meeting a particular
girl whenever he is in that town. I find it very romantic. Sounds like
a cliché idea but it's both sad and beautiful.
Q: I got
'Third World' two weeks ago and I like it very much. My favourite is
'Devil's Punch Bowl'. How did you come to this title with the Devil in
it although it's such a wonderful piece of music and what does the
title really mean? - from Kerstin
A: The
title 'Devil's Punch Bowl' signifies a particular area on the A3 road
about 40 miles south of London. There is some mystique surrounding
this region. Kipper lives near there and I recorded this tune at his
place. On my way home I was trying to think of a title whereupon this
one came to me. Perhaps not very interesting, but you did ask.
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