The Unfair Funfair - For Bert Jansch

Michael Watts · #1 09-08-2021, 07:31 AM

Hello everyone

It was a real privilege to be contacted by the Bert Jansch Foundation with an invitation to take part in their 80 Plays For Bert programme which has seen a number of Yamaha guitars (Bert's favourite in the later years) being sent around the world for musicians who have a deep connection with Bert's music to play a tribute.

Here's my track The Unfair Funfair which was initially inspired by and dedicated to Bert whose music has been a consistent inspiration to me.

All the best

Michael

islandguitar · #2 09-08-2021, 07:59 AM

Totally awesome, Michael!!

Erithon · #3 09-08-2021, 08:02 AM

What a privilege to be part of such a project, Michael -- congratulations! And excellent playing as always

It was also fascinating to hear the difference between recordings of "The Unfair Funfair" on your Kostals (and other bespoke builds you've showcased) and this Yamaha.

Organic Sounds Select Guitars · #4 09-08-2021, 10:05 AM

I love that tune. Just wonderful, Michael!

FrankHudson · #5 09-08-2021, 10:12 AM

Nice, and you reference that Bert Jansch style so well in this piece and playing.

Glennwillow · #6 09-08-2021, 10:13 AM

Man, Michael!

That was really well done! That piece ("The Unfair Funfair") does have a bit of a Bert Jansch vibe and flavor (or is it flavour?) to it.

That was terrific!

- Glenn

SprintBob · #7 09-08-2021, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erithon

What a privilege to be part of such a project, Michael -- congratulations! And excellent playing as always

It was also fascinating to hear the difference between recordings of "The Unfair Funfair" on your Kostals (and other bespoke builds you've showcased) and this Yamaha.

My thoughts exactly.

TomB'sox · #8 09-08-2021, 12:11 PM

Thanks Michael, glad to see you back in the Show and Tell. That was great as always, hope you are well!

Michael Watts · #9 09-08-2021, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguitar

Totally awesome, Michael!!

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erithon

What a privilege to be part of such a project, Michael -- congratulations! And excellent playing as always

It was also fascinating to hear the difference between recordings of "The Unfair Funfair" on your Kostals (and other bespoke builds you've showcased) and this Yamaha.

It was indeed! I've loved Bert's music since I was a little kid! Yeah - this Yamaha is a nice guitar - it's not a luthier-built instrument but I'm not so jaded that that makes a difference to me! I did have to tweak things a little - The guitar is tuned to C sus 4 and I had to drag the notes out a lot more than I'm used to but that's cool too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Organic Sounds Select Guitars

I love that tune. Just wonderful, Michael!

Thank you very much!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankHudson

Nice, and you reference that Bert Jansch style so well in this piece and playing.

Thank you Frank, that means a lot to me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

Man, Michael!

That was really well done! That piece ("The Unfair Funfair") does have a bit of a Bert Jansch vibe and flavor (or is it flavour?) to it.

That was terrific!

- Glenn

Thank you so much Glenn! I think it's definitely flavour in this case! The piece was definitely inspired by Bert and I dedicate it to him when I play live.

Michael Watts · #10 09-08-2021, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SprintBob

My thoughts exactly.

Well if it helps - the recordings I do at home are bone dry - this was recorded in a church which certainly had an effect on the ambience!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Thanks Michael, glad to see you back in the Show and Tell. That was great as always, hope you are well!

Thank you so much Tom and congratulations on another successful BIG! I was thinking of you guys this weekend!

David Eastwood · #11 09-08-2021, 05:59 PM

Oh, there's Bert.

Magic, Michael

rémy64 · #12 09-09-2021, 04:33 AM

Excellent Michael

Michael Watts · #13 09-09-2021, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

Oh, there's Bert.

Magic, Michael

Thank you very much David!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rémy64

Excellent Michael

Merci beaucoup!

SprintBob · #14 09-10-2021, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

Well if it helps - the recordings I do at home are bone dry - this was recorded in a church which certainly had an effect on the ambience!

That makes sense. At the beginning and end of the video, it was cool to hear the acoustics activated in the room just by your voice.

An analogy that comes to my mind that might make you chuckle is taking a few laps at Silverstone in a BMW M5 (the Yamaha in this recording) followed by taking a few laps in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 (your Kostal MD on the Vetiver version).

BTW, my favorite song on Vetiver is Capo Dastro, I just love the flow of that song. I’d like to aspire to learn it some day.

Michael Watts · #15 09-18-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SprintBob

That makes sense. At the beginning and end of the video, it was cool to hear the acoustics activated in the room just by your voice.

An analogy that comes to my mind that might make you chuckle is taking a few laps at Silverstone in a BMW M5 (the Yamaha in this recording) followed by taking a few laps in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 (your Kostal MD on the Vetiver version).

BTW, my favorite song on Vetiver is Capo Dastro, I just love the flow of that song. I’d like to aspire to learn it some day.

That is a very accurate analogy!

Thank you for your kind words, Capo D'Astro is the oldest piece on Vetiver, I started writing it in Pierre Bensusan's garden in 2001 - I still like it but I haven't played it in a while - thanks for the inspiration to get it back into rotation!