The new Martin, the new Mandola (called Nelson) and the new African drum, someone once said I am difficult to buy for but I can't see how. Tonight I am playing a wee gig, well actually a couple of numbers, one of which I wrote especially for this evening. But I will be playing the new Martin to an audience for the first time and I am beginning to feel all Southpaw and circa 1972 (Southpaw was the name of the band then). I must admit it all feels ok. Its hard to believe it but I have been playing guitar for 50 years now (still no better). My mother bought me one for Christmas and I have played it almost every day since then. Of course I have new guitars and the old one has had its day - though I still have it. I would like to play on its antique properties but it came from Woolworths in the first place so I reckon cultural nostalgia. But here is another nostalgia - the same mother who bought the guitar died two years ago today. So its fitting I am playing tonight - how the world turns. Fifty years from then to here - I just wish she could hear it, she did like it so. I might post a tune on this later - but for now I have to go and get my boy, who is coming to hear me play for the very first time. How the world turns - I could write a song about that:
