Album Reviews:Kenny Mathieson, The Scotsman 04 Nov 2005

JOHN GOLDIE: THIS TIME AND PLACE ****
WATERCOLOUR MUSIC, 13.99

GUITARIST John Goldie's second album of technically impressive and highly musical interpretations on solo acoustic guitar raises the already high standard he set on the earlier The View From Here. He draws on a wide range of styles and techniques in the course of a varied set of instrumental compositions. Eight of his own tunes stand alongside jazz standards Summertime and Moonlight in Vermont, a dip into the Motown classic I Heard it Through the Grapevine, and an acoustic version of
the most famous heavy rock riff of all, Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water.

©The Scotsman Publications Limited

CD Baby Review
Over the last few years, John Goldie has established himself as one of the premier exponents of solo acoustic guitar. His Jazz and Rock influences originally led him into countless European tours with work both as a soloist and session player. He has appeared on a huge number of CDs, radio programmes, TV shows and West End Musicals - many for The Really Useful Record Company, Andrew Lloyd Webber's production company. He has confirmed his Jazz credentials with compositions, performances and recordings with his own Trio as well as collaborating with some of the leading lights of the UK and international scene. These include George Benson and the award-winning group, Spirit of Django, with Martin Taylor.

His first self-release - "The View from Here" marked the beginning of a change of direction, with a move towards the increasingly popular acoustic music scene. After hearing a couple of demo tracks, Peter Finger of Acoustic Music in Germany - the premier acoustic label in Europe - invited John over to help record a solo acoustic guitar CD. This album of original compositions and quirky takes on popular tunes received critical acclaim in the UK, USA and Europe.

This Time and Place, his latest CD, with its heightened production standards, confirms John as one of the emerging talents of the UK Acoustic Music Scene , a fact confirmed by his recent endorsements from two of the biggest companies in the acoustic world, Martin Guitars and A.E.R. Acoustic Amplifiers.

Track List:

Just One Snag - When I wrote this tune I couldn't play it! I could hear how it was supposed to be but had to work on some new techniques to play it properly - nothing like making life difficult for yourself!
I Heard It through the Grapevine - (Norman Whitfield & Barrat Strong - Jobete Music). I spent many years on the road as a sideman playing a lot of Mowtown music along the way, guess you just can't leave it behind.

Drift to Me - Nightfall in Dunvegan-Isle of Skye

Steady Hand - A tune about being a parent - holding a newborn baby, first steps, learning to ride a bike - all things that need a steady hand.

Summertime - (Gershwin& Gershwin-Warner/Chappell N.America).This tune came about by accident - It's not a tune I was thinking about recording but I was looking for a melody to work with a "green onions" type bass line that I had been messing around with and it just fell into place.

You Could Dance with Me - When it comes to dancing many adults are still as nervous as their first school dance -Scared of being picked and more afraid of being left out!

Swirl at Dawn - Many a Highland wedding can go on till dawn but only the brave or drunk will attempt a wee fling outside in their kilt when it's snowing!

Sweet Lorraine - (Gray & Alfonzetti - Warner/Chappell). The first solo guitar I heard live was Joe Pass, I was still at school and didn't really understand what he was playing but I loved the feel of it - this tune reminds me of that feeling.

Moonlight in Vermont - (Suessdorf & Blackburn - Capitol Songs/Warner Chappell). There are many great jazz guitar arrangements of this tune so I decided to give my arrangement quite a different slant, using percussive effects and a funky groove.

Don't Shave Much Anymore - In the studio environment sometimes "cabin fever" sets in - need I say more!

It's Only a Paper Moon - (Harold - Harms Music/ Johnny Mathis Music/Chappell Music). Working with Martin Taylor has been influential and inspiring and also made me aware that there are no boundaries in solo guitar.

This Time and Place - Sometimes composing tunes comes easily and for me that has a lot to do with your environment and peace of mind - the rest of the time it's just plain hard work!

Smoke on the Water - (Lord & Paice & Blackmore & Glover - HEC Music) .Probably one of the first riffs I learned on guitar - I worked out this arrangement the day before I went into the studio so I just took a deep breath and went for it!

Dos Crème - This was our order at a lovely little sherry bar in a village in Southern Spain - a sip of sherry and great flamenco guitar - the perfect nightcap

John Goldie

The View from Here is a solo guitar project that shows a very creative, virtuosic guitarist. The project is impeccable recorded by Peter Finger in Germany and Nick Turner in Scotland. John hails from Scotland and most know him thought his endeavors with Martin Taylor in the Spirit of Django group as well as various other projects with Taylor. Even though I can hear a little of Martin's influences, especially on the swing tunes, this album demonstrates he is truly an artist in his own right.

There are thirteen tunes in the project with a running time of 41:13. There are four standards, Nice Work If You Can Get It, It's Not Unusual, Revelation and Secret Love, all the rest are originals by John. The CD is a strong jazz offering, but you will also hear Celtic, blues, folk and a strong rhythm groove that almost lifts you right out of your chair. All the tunes are nicely arranged with strong melodies and inventive solos.

The beautiful ballad The Triste was definitely my favorite with a haunting melody and then a great solo section with John dubbing in a background track. A short little tune of John's titled Gird and Cleek also intrigued me as I kept hearing it many hours after the CD was over.

John gets a beautiful sound from his Lowden acoustic guitar and also endorses AER Amplification and Picato strings.

John Goldie is definitely someone to keep your eye on as I'm sure you will hear a lot more from him in the future.

Charles H. Chapman

Airdrie-born guitarist John Goldie follows his excellent trio debut with a superb solo showcase for his accomplished and imaginative playing. While his technical prowess is obvious throughout, Goldie is also a very musical player, and never indulges in grandstanding at the expense of the music. The majority of the album features his own compositions, some with a definite Celtic tinge (and crossover potential), but he also tackles the jazz standard Nice Work and a couple of less likely pop vehicles, It's Not Unusual and Secret Love. Good stuff, and if you have only heard him play rhythm guitar with Martin Taylor in Spirit of Django, then check this out.

Kenny Mathieson

The Airdrie guitarist gets filed under jazz mainly due to previous work with Martin Taylor's Spirit of Django and his own trio, because, although there's a certain swing and jazz-inspired edginess to his playing, in this latest album he is profitably exploring wider solo acoustic guitar music territory. Mostly originals, the 13 tracks vary from traditional-style ballad, to pop song, jazz standard, and cracking finger-picking pieces. The one-man acid jazz band of Butch Minds the Baby alone should convince listeners of Goldie's significant picking and composing talent. Available from www.cabermusic.com.

Rob Adams

If you have seen or heard Martin Taylor's Spirit of Django, you will already know John Goldie. The guitarist sticks pretty much to rhythm guitar duties in Martin's band, but is heard in an undiluted lead role on this lovely acoustic solo disc, a follow-up to his excellent trio debut, Turn and Twist.

Like the earlier release, The View From Here is currently available on his own label (check his web site for more details), but may also be issued on the Acoustic Music label in Germany at a later date. Recorded in Germany and completed at the geographically remote but increasingly popular Watercolour Studio in the Scottish Highlands, it is a superb showcase for his accomplished and imaginative guitar work.

His deft technical command is obvious throughout, but he is also a very musical player, with a powerful harmonic awareness and rich gift for melody. His own compositions have a distinct Celtic tinge rather than more overtly jazz-based roots, but he also tackles the standard Nice Work and a couple of less likely pop vehicles, It's Not Unusual and Secret Love. Whatever the idiom, though, he approaches the music with a jazz sensibility, and the results are highly enjoyable.

Kenny Mathieson