As a current resident of Salisbury General Hospital, I have a bit of time to try a blog, let people know how I’m doing and get to grips with WordPress. My spelling will have to wait.
A week ago I got clipped by a car crossing the road. Just caught my heel, but at 40 miles an hour something had to give. Unfortunately it was my left leg. I’ve always had erratic timing. Learning how to play guitar in a barn dance band, you watched the cider fuelled dancers career into each other, whooping and desperate to get back to the top of the set. Crowd control was more important than keeping the tempo. Not exactly Reading or Manchester Free Trade Hall, but Tostervines Barn could get pretty rowdy when the Ramblers Association threw a fundraiser. I saw the car, the car saw me and the rest is history. Months of rehab before I can dozy doe again.
Back in those days I had a CMI Les Paul that went in and out of tune with the seasons. Somehow I manage to get some money tougher to buy a Stratocaster copy to add some twang to the square dance. It went straight into the paint shop, set up in the outside toilet. A can of car paint transformed it into an orange plank of wood, that had as much resonance as one of the hospitals baked potatoes.
Back then guitars were awful compared to today. Now,£300 on eBay or Marketplace will buy you an instrument that will see you well through your musical journey. My Orange Strat was better at picking up the local police radio, than playing Roxanne.. It was sold quickly to a friend, who moved it on to someone else, and its journey through various hands began . Everywhere it went it caused misery, when the new owner realised they weren’t going to be able to nail Sultans in 5 minutes let alone Smoke on the Water. It ended its life one Guy Fawkes night atop a makeshift pyre. On its way to Valhalla it ruined many young axe players dreams .
Meanwhile back in the ward, my right arm has been sewn up and I can no longer see the tendons that make the fingers move. Think Body Parts and you won’t be far off the mark. Everything seems to be working OK. Just before the accident I had been working on a flat picking version of Loch Lomond inspired by Tony Rice. Recording will have to wait till back in London. Positive signs. Looking out of the window I can see Salisbury Spier and with the soundtrack of Shenandoah things are not so bad….
Timing, time and tides.
Give it a listen when you feel chilled.
Life throws us the odd Nissan skyline and Toyota corolla and with them comes time for reflection and thought collection. Keep writing Mark, I will keep reading. I think the creative brain is one muscle you can grow while you wait for the bones and scar tissue to heal. Fucking love you man.
Great amusing piece of writing Mark. Glad your wit wasn’t damaged. Keep the stories coming. Lots of love x.
Hi Mark, I am looking forward to seeing you (and Judith) as fit and as well as can be expected, here in Portugal later this year.
In the spirit of “The Guitars The Star” I have some news.
Back in about 1974, my grandad gave me a Burns Nu-Sonic – which I know you have seen and may have played – almost a lifetime ago. I’m afraid to say that for years, it was very badly treated, knocked and bashed and shoved around in a variety of dark, unforgiving corners. By the time I took it to Andy’s in Denmark Street in about 1988 to be “looked at”, one of the pickup covers (embossed with the Burns name) was broken. Andy did his best, bearing in mind that at the time, Burns parts were not readily available, but the repair is very noticeable. The burns is a lovely guitar with a fabulous action and a warm, mellow tone. I always struggle with the controls because they seem to alternate between volume and tone dependent on the switch position but I have always loved playing the guitar.
Last month, I went to see Joe White in Ash Vale. Joe is a magician – if you haven’t done so already, you really should check him out. He makes his own replica guitars (I once saw a a Fender Broadcaster he had made for himself for instance) and will set up and re-fettle guitars to order. About ten years ago he fitted a Fishman to my then newly-acquired Gibson J45. Anyway, last month I talked to him about my old Burns. He was quite animated about the possibilities, since Burns parts are now available again. The result is that next year, he is going to take it under his spell and hopefully do a proper restoration job on it. I will let you know how it goes!
Hi Mark. Well the whole getting hit by a car thing is something we could all do without. Keep writing. I enjoy a little foray into a new world.
Hi Mark, Sorry to hear you are in hospital. If they keep you in hospital, it is quite serious. Glad you have a good view, hope the food is okay. Hope you are on the mend soon. Lesley
Hi Mark, Sorry to hear you are in hospital. If they keep you in hospital, it is quite serious. Glad you have a good view, hope the food is okay. Hope you are on the mend soon. Lesley