Ryan Elewaut is the owner and head luthier of Solstice Guitars based in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona.
For many years Ryan worked on repairing and restoring guitars of all brands including vintage instruments - as well as working on his own…
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We recently lost English guitarist Vic Flick (1937-2024)- not a household name - but the session guitarist who played the iconic guitar riff for the James Bond Theme in 1962 for the Dr No movie.
He played this riff on…
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Italian TV personality and singer Orietta Berti (born 1943) has had a successful career in mainland Europe and in her own country - however not widely known outside of there.
Typically - mainland European or Nordic artists have to release…
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William Boyd is an author I have followed for about 40 years - starting with his 1982 masterpiece “An Ice Cream War” - recounting the lives of a disparate group of people and nationalities caught up in the fighting in…
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In the late 60’s and early 70’s I remember seeing the great pianist and comedian Victor Borge (1909-2000) perform on various British TV shows.
His routine would include playing an unusual tune on the piano with hints of the correct…
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Stéphane Grappelli (1908-1997) was an Italian - French jazz violinist.
He is best remembered for his pioneering work with gypsy jazz guitar legend Django Reinhardt in the Quintette du Hot Club de France in the 1930’s and 40’s.
I remember…
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Howard Roberts (1929-1992) can be heard on countless classic TV and movie themes from the 60’s : Batman , I Love Lucy , Twilight Zone , Mission Impossible and Bullitt.
He also recorded with Elvis , Peggy Lee - was…
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The late great Carmen McRae stood beside her contemporaries in this golden era of jazz: Ella Fitzgerald , Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday.
Though not a household name these days - her legacy remains with distinctive behind the beat phrasing…
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David Sylvian occupies that sparse musical aesthetic that would lead him to work with other composers such as Ryuichi Sakamoto: notably create a sonic soundscape that pulls you into a more visual and emotional realm.
David Sylvian is of course…
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“Black Vinyl White Powder: The Real Story of the British Music Industry” is a great read and an inside look at the British music industry from the 50’s to the 21st Century.
Simon Napier-Bell is of course the record producer…
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