What the Editor has to say!
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WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION of the Millennium! Moving with the times, we’re not afraid to publish “way-out B.G. content” and this issue includes drums, harps and keyboards. Oh, and more drums and a sax, too! And other things. See, for example, Ted’s Warfield article, the Dolly CD report and Tony Ellis article. But we feel justified because the people covered are influential in promoting the B.G. scene. But wait for the March edition - we’re gearing up for the new “A1” festival! But this edition is short of good photos - I can't make silk purses out of sow's ears!
I MUST APOLOGISE for some confusions: SOME PEOPLE WILL WONDER does Ted’s Warfield concert article have a place here? Well, I think it certainly does - it’s a first-hand well-written account of two of the greats of the bluegrass scene playing together: Bela Fleck (back in the fold) and David Grisman!!! UNCHARACTERISTICALLY, THERE WAS a huge response to the November 2 CD “competition” - 15 people entered! But see Phil Heald’s letter - do you get the joke??? But seriously, please support the Competitions: they are good CDs, well worth winning and the questions are easy. I AM VERY PLEASED to have a Mando Tab from Rick Townend, who also makes a most generous offer - please take him up on it! But anyone trying the tab should also send for the free midi-file offer if they have a PC. ON TO VERY SERIOUS THINGS: Since last issue yet another NW-area Club has closed - this time the Britannia B.G. Club at Upholland (moved to Aintree in 2000). This was in a terrific venue with good beer, easy to find and good parking. The resident band (The Britannia) was excellent but there was insufficient support. Why? That’s three clubs down in 3 issues. At this rate there soon won’t be any general clubs left where you can get a proper jam session. If someone is interested in Bluegrass then what is the interest? Talking about it? In many cases that I know of it certainly doesn’t involve buying or listening to CDs/discs/tapes or other players, nor attending live sessions, concerts or festivals, so what does it involve? Playing alone in a cellar? I HAVE SOME EXCELLENT articles but they get held back by too much news - gee, what a problem! Sorry Matt, Yvonne, Steve, to name but three. But I expect much less news next time, so stand by... I AM CONTINUING my hard-line policy with people who don’t cough up after a few phone calls:- they are crossed off. When the money runs out we shut down..... so if you want us to continue then try to make life easy for us -please!
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Derek Brandon