Gordon Giltrap - Bramall Hall 12 Dec 2007

Review

In the medieaval setting of the reception hall of the half-timbered palace that is Bramall Hall, about 100 people crammed in to see the guitar maestro. On display in the fireplace (!) were 6 guitars of varying sizes and types.

Giltrap, looking every inch the ageing 70's rock star, entered with a seventh, signature Fylde, and began an engaging, musical and technically impressive concert.

His technique involves high-speed fingering, strumming and hammering on based around complex chord shapes, but that minimises the musicality and accessibility of the sound produced. His style varied from folk and clasical inspired arrangements, to a multi-layered rock opus played on a Line-1 electric guitar, with Giltrap playing all 8 parts live!

In line with the refined nature of the venue, half time was accompanied by mulled wine and mince pies. The second half was more of the same varied guitar wizadry, featuring a 12-string, a £10 car-boot-sale mini guitar and his favoured Armstrongs and Fyldes.

This was an unusual concert, in that it was a little like a recital, a little like a guitar players workshop and a little like an after dinner get-together in the great hall with the family. Giltrap's charm is genuine and his playing is beautiful.