Life on the Fretboard with Michael Watts

Andy McKee exploded to prominence in 2006 with this video of his track "Drifting," released on the nascent CandyRat record label. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddn4MGaS3N4 Twenty years later, Andy's career has taken him to audiences around the world, with collaborations ranging from Dream Theater to Prince. We talk about Andy's early years in Topeka, Kansas; formative exposure to Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover," which is how it all started for him; the deep influence of players such as Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, and Don Ross; social media; and the joy of working with celebrated acoustic guitar maker Michael Greenfield, who is also the sponsor for this episode. Life on the Fretboard is a Michael Watts production for the Fretboard Journal. Theme music by me (Michael Watts), with Dan Western on drums. Branding by Michael Johnson. Some Links Mentioned: Guitars Of The British Isles with Martin Simpson https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpq6lcJpNws8--J4eEpca6aGKxLN4Q5hN Andy Mckee https://andymckee.com https://www.instagram.com/therealmckee https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4SlCAeLGLONquLmwYBkttA Your Host Michael Watts https://www.michaelwattsguitar.com https://www.instagram.com/michael.watts.guitar/ https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelWatts Sponsored by Greenfield Guitars https://www.greenfieldguitars.com https://www.instagram.com/greenfieldguitars/ Be advised that the conversation does contain some adult language. Subscribe to Fretboard Journal here: https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Rob Luft is a rising star of the European jazz guitar scene whose intricate and lyrical playing melds textures from around the world into a striking musical voice. Rob is an extraordinarily creative person and a bit of a chameleon, home with everything from soulful standards and improvised fusion madness to Balkan time signatures and the joyful lines of Congolese soukous. He has even composed and performed pieces for electric guitar with a full orchestra, which is very cool and unusual, to borrow a phrase from Martin Simpson. We talk about Rob's formative years - growing up in the rich cultural mix of South East London and his early exposure to mind-blowing music by the greats of the jazz scene. The first live gig he ever saw pretty much sealed the deal...you'll find out why. We discuss the blank canvas that is the electric guitar and the use of effects in jazz - which leads to a poetic diatribe from Rob on the subject of loud footswitches and his love for ancient Boss pedals. Rob shares the challenges of playing in different contexts, from a perfectly timed 45-minute free jazz set to high-volume open-air festival gigs where all your fancy chord voicings disappear into the wind. We discuss the importance of playing the lyric of the song and living a life untainted by the seductive power of the pentatonic blues scale. Rob speaks eloquently on the subject of ear training and sight reading. It could save your life someday! I really enjoyed this conversation. Rob is thoughtful, quick and (thanks to years working at a radio station) has impeccable mic technique! I also captured Rob's impromptu performance of the Johnny Green classic "Body and Soul." I hope you enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDa3qpLPgkI You join us on a beautiful summer's day at my studio in the Sussex countryside. It was one of the only really hot sunny days that we had in 2024 and at the start of this chat you'll hear a familiar sound at this time of year https://robluft.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/robluftjazz/ Thank you for listening and thanks to Jason Verlinde and the Fretboard Journal team, my sponsors Microtech Gefell Microphones. Life On The Fretboard is a Michael Watts production for Fretboard Journal - accept no substitute. To support Life On The Fretboard please click here https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745 Michael Watts: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/michaelwattsguitar Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michael.watts.guitar/ Website https://michaelwattsguitar.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Lord of the Les Paul and Mariscal of the Marshall Stack, Scott Gorham shot to worldwide prominence with the legendary rock band Thin Lizzy. He created what would become known subsequently as "The Twin Guitar Attack" - a harmonised lead guitar style developed alongside players such as Brian Robertson and Gary Moore, driving home the larger-than-life persona of frontman and bass player Phil Lynott. At the height of their powers, Thin Lizzy were a world-straddling colossus of a band - hard rocking for sure but real songwriters, too. And just incredible live! I caught up with Scott at what used to be Olympic Recording Studios in Barnes (Led Zeppelin, Queen, Lizzy ... they all made records there). It's now a cinema complex and restaurant with a private members club hidden away for those in the know. We talk about Scott's early exposure to the guitar and live music, his relocation from California to London, and an audition for Thin Lizzy which I suspect would have broken most of us. We discuss the iconography of Gibson's Les Paul model. In particular, the heavily supervised shopping trip for the mini-humbucker Deluxe model with which Scott has become synonymous. We go deep on the semantics of scratch plates, amplifiers the size of a family SUV, and what happens when your guitar gets famous without you. But it wasn't all gold tops, champagne and caviar, life in Thin Lizzy could be tempestuous and Scott is candid about the darker times including how golf helped with the pain of recovery from addiction. Hey, if it works… right? We talk in depth about Scott's secret double life as a visual artist, discuss two of the rarest materials in the universe and share a fond hope that benevolent extraterrestrial life might just have our backs after all. Now, what no-one knew - because he had kept it a secret from the world - is that Scott Gorham is an extremely skilled artist and some of his extraordinarily detailed pencil drawings from the Thin Lizzy period have been rediscovered and are now available as fine art prints. He's had his first gallery showing and it's all going rather well. You can see more here: https://scottgorhamworld.com Take a look at Pain, Curiosity and Apocalypse, three works that we discuss in detail. Be advised - the language gets a little fruity as we progress. It doesn't get too awful, but listeners with delicate sensibilities or the under-fives should proceed with caution. This episode was brought to you by the kind sponsorship of Guitar Tech Courses. Founded by British luthier James Collins (himself a graduate of the prestigious Galloup School of Guitar Making in Michigan) and an accredited repair technician for Gibson guitars for several years now, Guitar Tech Academy offers an online archive of instructional videos covering the maintenance and set-up of just about every modern guitar design from the wrap-around bridge of a '54 Goldtop to Bigsbys, Strat and Tele bridges, acoustics and archtops, too. It's all there. James will guide you through the theory and practice of setting up your guitar for your playing - follow this link https://www.guitartechcourses-academy.com and sign up today - you will never have sounded better! Join me next time for a chat with Superstar auctioneer Claire Tole-Moir of Bonhams London, who has been responsible for the sale of iconic instruments used by Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Slash, Ian Curtis and many more! A Fretboard Journal Podcast. https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Canadian-born Jocelyn Gould is a JUNO award-winning guitarist, vocalist, composer and professor of jazz studies who performs at the highest international levels. Jocelyn is one of those musicians that I could listen to for hours. She is a force of nature, too. She tours constantly. I was delighted to fly back from Norway in time to catch up with her in the days around her debut at one of London's top jazz venues in Soho. Like many people, I first encountered her work online and was impressed with her lyrical phrasing and beautiful touch. However, it was at the Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival in 2022 - when I filmed a session with her on Bob Benedetto's contribution to The Blue Guitar collection - that I got to experience her extraordinary musicality firsthand. It left a lasting impression and here is the resulting video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A102bF5BS88 We started what was to become an epic three-day hang in London but then took a train to the picturesque market town of Frome at the end of the Mendip hills in Somerset. After a wonderful afternoon with Mick and Dan of That Pedal Show, we took a walk through the cobbled streets of Frome before enjoying a frankly sensational dinner at a French brasserie. After that, we made our way back to our accommodations - a slightly eccentric pub slash castle affair - ideal conditions for recording this in-depth podcast interview. We talked about Jocelyn's childhood fascination with guitar, the challenge of learning to learn individuality in music, setting lofty goals, and the almost telepathic levels of communication enjoyed by jazz musicians at the highest level. And then, just like that, Jocelyn was off to Barcelona to play with another pickup band before returning to Winnipeg to launch her new YouTube podcast. Like I said, it's non-stop! Jocelyn is up for another Juno award for her latest album, Sonic Bouquet. You should check it out...it's wonderful. For now, you join us for a moment's reminiscence about the cherry clafoutis we had just encountered. https://www.jocelyngould.com https://www.instagram.com/jocelyngouldmusic/ This episode of Life on the Fretboard was brought to you by the kind sponsorship of Elixir Strings https://www.elixirstrings.com. I use Phosphor Bronze 12-53s on all my acoustic guitars To support this podcast please use this Tip Jar link https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745 Your Host, Michael Watts https://www.michaelwattsguitar.com https://www.youtube.com/user/michaelwattsguitar https://www.instagram.com/michael.watts.guitar/ Learn more about the Fretboard Journal and our new, 53rd issue here: https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Barrie Cadogan (also known as "Little Barrie") is one of the world's first call electric guitarists when it comes to classic soul, rock, punk, and rhythm & blues. He has worked with some of the biggest indie artists performing today including Morrissey, Paul Weller, Edwyn Collins, Liam Gallagher, and Primal Scream. That's a hell of a CV by anyone's standards, but Barrie is perhaps best known for the theme music from the Netflix show 'Better Call Saul.' That glorious guitar intro? That was him! Quite simply, he is very cool. He inhabits a world of pristine big E vintage Levis, Cuban heels, and 1960s Jazzmasters; bespoke hatmakers name their latest designs after him; and, if you are planning a global stadium tour and you need a guitarist that will bring the goods, then you had better make sure that you have Little Barrie on speed dial. I caught up with him at the private, by-appointment-only premises of Guncotton Guitars in London. (More from them later as they have generously sponsored this episode!) We talked about our shared love of seminal Manchester band The Stone Roses and watching 'Sounds of The Sixties' on British TV which for many musicians of our generation had a similar impact as that of the Ed Sullivan show in the USA. Barrie shares his experiences as a young musician moving to London some 20 years ago, his realization that a Marshall half stack may not be the ideal bedroom practice amp, the dangers of applying a Jackson Pollock-style paint job to a guitar, and Bobby Gillespie's eccentric hiding place for demo CDs. He also shares his love of Japanese architecture and his recent reunion with a guitar that got away from him years previously. I think we can all relate to that. This interview was recorded on a hot summer's day in London. As I sank into the vintage Charles Eames furniture and pressed record, I remember feeling very happy to be there. I hope it shows...and I'm glad to be able to share this with you. Barrie Cadogan https://www.littlebarrie.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVn9XB03wI5dM4d0Vbl-i2A https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ozUXaDjc4mfVyDIWCJH4E?autoplay=true https://www.instagram.com/littlebarrie/ This episode is brought to you by the kind sponsorship of Guncotton Guitars in London https://www.guncottonguitars.com https://www.instagram.com/guncottonguitars/ and Microtech Gefell Microphones https://www.microtechgefell.de Your Host Michael Watts https://www.michaelwattsguitar.com https://www.youtube.com/user/michaelwattsguitar https://www.instagram.com/michael.watts.guitar/ To support this podcast please use this Tip Jar link https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745

Emma Tricca is a massively talented singer-songwriter, a poet, and beautiful fingerstyle guitarist. Italian by birth, Emma works between Rome, London and New York making gorgeous psychedelic folk rock records - her latest is called 'Aspirin Sun' it is out now and it's rather wonderful. You may have seen Emma on tour with such luminaries as Robyn Hitchcock, Dinosaur Jr. or Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets - that wonderful band put together to play early Pink Floyd songs. If not, then I hope this interview may serve as an introduction to some very beautiful music. What I really enjoy about Emma's work are the amazing textures she creates with her full band that also includes Dream Syndicate's Jason Victor on electric guitar as well as Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth on drums and Pete Galub on bass. That is quite a line-up...in many ways the cream of the New York art rock scene. This interview was recorded on a hot day at the beginning of summer and I had invited Emma to visit me at home to get her out into the countryside and away from the heat and grit of London. And, In a Life on the Fretboard first, I had the pleasure of making some music with a guest - in this case one of Emma's songs which I have been semi-obsessed with since I first heard it. The link to that is in the description below. I'm on Telecaster and Emma is playing my Gretsch White Falcon - I hope you enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK71DfcHPOc You can support this podcast here: https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745 Download Emma Tricca's latest record here https://emmatricca.bandcamp.com/album/aspirin-sun Thank you to my sponsors for this episode: Microtech Gefell Microphones https://www.microtechgefell.de Mirabella Guitars https://www.mirabellaguitars.com

Welcome to Episode 3 of Life on the Fretboard: A series of face-to-face conversations between British guitarist, writer and filmmaker Michael Watts and exceptionally talented individuals who live a life on the fretboard. For this episode, Michael's guest is the frighteningly gifted Australian fingerstyle guitarist Alan Gogoll, whose gentle, whimsical music is given voice via one of the most intriguing, perplexing and musical techniques developed for the acoustic guitar in recent years...bell harmonics. With an audience that numbers over a million subscribers worldwide and celebrity fans clamoring for the chance to collaborate with him, Alan Gogoll decided to start a new chapter in his life by moving to Berlin for inspiration and a new and calmer state of mind. This podcast was recorded in Alan's apartment - some six weeks after he made this leap of faith. He discusses the joy of luthier-made guitars, those trademark bell harmonics, protecting innovation and creativity from the acceptance of plagiarism in other cultures, the writing process, and how to add other artistic disciplines to a guitar piece...as well as his recent ban from the social media platform TikTok. Scandal right here! To contribute directly to Life on the Fretboard please use this Tip Jar link https://michaelwattsguitar.com/tip-jars/4745 This episode of Life on the Fretboard is brought to you by the kind sponsorship of Microtech Gefell Microphones https://www.microtechgefell.de/ and the Fretboard Journal magazine https://www.fretboardjournal.com/. Thank you to Alan Gogoll - please do visit alangogoll.com and enjoy his music on YouTube, Spotify and Instagram. (But not TikTok.) https://www.youtube.com/@AlanGogoll https://www.instagram.com/alangogoll/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7MOxmVjcx5HWoEu9pBWXT3?si=-BhBJIbrRjKHkL7uoh1bGg Next month's guest is legendary guitarist and founder of Windham Hill Records Will Ackerman - it's an astonishing conversation that we look forward to sharing with you.

The Fretboard Journal is proud to welcome you to the very first episode of Life on the Fretboard, a new podcast hosted by British guitarist, filmmaker, and writer Michael Watts. For his first episode, Michael talks with the astonishing Scottish guitarist Tony McManus. Described by the late John Renbourn as "The Best Celtic Guitarist in the World," McManus has toured the world delighting audiences with a combination of extraordinary musicianship and a deep connection with the music of Scotland. The conversation flows from an impromptu meeting with the most famous man in Scotland; to heroes such as Renbourn, Bert Jansch, and Isaac Guillory; taking the stage after John McLaughlin and Carlos Santana; adapting Scottish bagpipe pieces for solo guitar; the unforeseen effects of meeting Pat Metheny; and what it means to live a Life on The Fretboard. Life on the Fretboard is sponsored by The Archtop Foundation www.theblueguitars.com and Microtech Gefell Microphones www.microtechgefell.de and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine. https://www.tonymcmanus.com/ www.michaelwattsguitar.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com/