Gordon Taylor

Gordon Taylor in Celtish.

Gordon Taylor's guitar and Mendola playing have been described as pure genius he has been a celtic musician and fan for well over 20 years. Gordon was good enough to answer a few Questions for us.

You can hear Gordon performing with Gwyneth Keen simply click below

1)Cold

2)Moel Cynhorrion

3) Winds that Sing

1) The debate about what Celtic Music actually is will rage on probably for ever what does Celtic Music mean to you as an artists and fan?

For me, Celtic music has always been a mixture of driving dance music, poignant airs and songs about just the way life is. Played with a great deal of feeling and excitement. The forms vary immensely from Wales and Cornwall to Scotland, Ireland, Northern Spain, Cape Bretton and elsewhere. The same spirit of joy in existence seems to pervade them all.

2) When did you first start playing music ?

I started playing guitar when I was nine. My dad bought me a guitar after years of not too subtle nagging. I even allegedly, used to try and play an egg slicer! I think the instrument cost him about £5 and pressing down the strings was like trying to press high tension cable. It did me good though (if only making me appreciate a better instrument). I acquired an electric guitar and set off to be the next Jimi Hendrix. Whilst attending Dundee University, I came across the Scottish tradition. I then (quite literally) stumbled into an Irish pub session in my native Sheffield and was pretty much hooked from there on.

3) What were your earliest influences ?

I started listening to ‘Planxty’ and The ‘Bothy Band’ (who I had the good fortune to see live). Then there was Matt Molloy, the Chieftains, Dervish, Lunasa, and Solas. Piping has been a major influence on my playing to the extent that I learned to play the Irish (Uillean) bagpipes, tutored by the fine piper, flautist and flute maker Chris Wilkes. Before that, it was rock music really, Hendrix, Cream, Captain Beefheart and so on, although I always was aware of traditional music.

4) Are there any artists around at the moment that have impressed you recently?

Loads. Lunasa from Ireland and Llan de Cubel from Northern Spain, both of whom we had the pleasure of touring with on the Celtic Nights tour of Holland. Both very fine bands. Kathryn Tickell and her band, particularly the guitarist Ian Carr who for me, is one of the most inventive guitarists around, Mick McGoldrick who seems to be playing with almost everyone now. There are so many top class performers on the circuit it’s hard to know where to stop really.

5) You've been working with Gwyneth Keen for a while she is some talent now how did you meet ?

She certainly is. We have been working together for around six years now. We met in a roundabout way through a session. I entered the world of performing in various Ceilidh bands as work propelled my family and I around the country. When I arrived in Gloucestershire I worked in several duos and eventually, via a session in Hartpury, met the people who would go on to become Celtish. We started working together in pubs and then started entering the world of art centres, theatres and festivals, cut our first CD and began, working on the festival and art centre circuit in the UK and abroad

6) Having had such a long career in music do you still get the same "buzz" from recording and playing live?

Absolutely! Playing live is what it’s all about for me. There is a great sense of achievement from getting a really good take on a recording, but nothing comes close to the buzz from a live gig and a responsive audience. I can see why people find it very difficult to give up performing.

7) Your currently working on your next album how is the recording going, Can you give us an idea of what the album will be like and when it will be available?

We are past the half way mark recording the album now. It is a good mix of songs and instrumentals. We seem to be moving further afield for tunes and experimenting more with tune /song combinations. We have been recording both at FFG studios in Breedon with Dave Pick and at John’s studio in Stroud. John Harris on Harp and Imogen O’Rourke on flute joined us late last year. They have brought some very interesting influences to the band. The album will be called ‘After the Rain’ and should be out in early 2006.

8) There seems to a real resurgence in live music at the moment have you noticed that over the last year or so?

There certainly is a huge amount of top class music being played in all sorts of venues throughout the country. Whether that amounts to a recent resurgence, I really can’t say but long may it continue.

9) What are your plans for the rest of the year ?

Finish the recording and mixing of ‘After the Rain’ and then market it. That should take up a good deal of the rest of the year. I’m looking forward to some creative sessions with the new line up we have. Sometimes that’s the best bit. Hopefully we will have a busy 2006. We already have work coming up in Holland and Spain. We’re looking forward to a hectic year.

For more info on Gordon please click below www.gwynethkeen.com