C.F. Martin Acoustic Guitar Clinic by CRAIG THATCHER (24/4/2010)
Event Review & Interview
Craig Thatcher’s love affair with guitar began over 40 years ago. A professional musician, guitar teacher and blues disciple, the Pennsylvania-based bluesman captivates audiences across the continents with his on-stage energy, musicianship and confidence. Since 2008, Craig has been performing with Simone, daughter of world-renowned song stylist and pianist Nina Simone. His band, the Craig Thatcher Band has been entertaining crowds with its exciting brand of blues/rock in venues ranging from clubs, theaters to major festivals such as Musikfest. To answer Hong Kong’s call for authentic blues, Craig held an acoustic guitar clinic at the Interzone Event Hall, Tom Lee Music, Tsimshatsui and introduced C.F. Martin’s new Performing Artist Series acoustic guitars which were released in January’s NAMM show.
A dozen of songs were performed in this 90-minute blues/guitar music special. Craig perfected charming the crowd with his soulful voice and gritty blues classics, such as See That My Grave Is Kept Clean and Key to the Highway. Eric Clapton’s Can’t Find My Way Home and Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright were also featured in the evening’s set list. While the instrumentation of these tunes is simple, featuring only vocal and guitar, the driving rhythm and lyrics underpinned by Craig’s artful presentation explained why the blues was meant to be experienced. Before the clinic’s scheduled start time, we chit chatted with Craig to find out more about his influences and all things about guitar.
Who do you think influenced your guitar playing the most?
The Beatles, Eric Clapton, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Cream and Jimi Hendrix. I’m also inspired by old country style blues artists like Freddy King, BB King, Robert Johnson and Jorma Kaukonen. Jorma Kaukonen represents to me old finger style blues. New and contemporary musicians like Tommy Emmanuel, Martin Taylor, Doyle Dykes.... these players are just amazing. I don’t play like that but I aspire to. I really appreciate their musicianship. I have to say, even I play and I am inspired by many styles, Blues is my first love.
Please tell us more about the “Eric Clapton Retrospective” concert that you did last April. What’s the motivation behind it?
I was motivated by the fact that number one, my regard for his music for all my life. A friend of mine suggested to me, “may be you should put a show together with Eric Clapton’s music”, so we tried. In the states, there are lots tribute bands and they are getting really popular. Some of them go to extremes, they dress alike, they look alike but we don’t do that. We just go on stage and play. It’s about presenting the music and our focus is on music. In the middle of it we do acoustic music as well. The show represents the many sides of Clapton’s music. We sold out many shows and I’m very pleased with that.
You have been playing the guitar since the mid 1960’s. How has guitar music evolved in the last 40 years?
Since the first unplugged show came out in the early 1990’s, the acoustic guitar has seen a renaissance. Until that time, the acoustic guitar was kind of living in the background. The 80’s were all about electric music and heavy stuff. In all of a sudden, in the middle of all that, the acoustic guitar came back!
How would you describe your relationship with your guitar?
It is one of my best friends in the world. It’s been with me through thick and thin. I love guitars. I play electric guitars too. I bought and sold so many over the years. I have Les Paul, Stratocaster, 335 and everything, but I turn them over every now and then. But I keep acoustic guitars. I hold onto them. Acoustic guitar has a real special meaning. I know those people who built these and I think about that. In fact, I live less than 30 minutes away from the actual C.F. Martin Company, I live right there. They have a real special meaning to me.
How many C.F. Martin guitars do you own? What’s on your wish-list?
I have three. Two 000-28s and the OMCPA1. There’s a whole lot more that I want! I’d like to have a regular OM-28 and the new, Jorma Kaukonen Model, M-30. It was released in the NAMM show, January 2010 and it’s coming out. It has an enlarged sound-hole like the Clarence White model. That makes a difference. It’s amazing to hear that guitar. I was there when my friend Dick presented the guitar to Jorma in California. Jorma was just thrilled with that guitar. It is a real beauty!
Which guitar receives most attention from you?
What I have used in the past is the 000-28. But I’m going to use my OMCPA1 a lot. That is perfect for live gigs because it’s really built for that. You don’t have the feedback issues because there is an anti-feedback control. But just way they built it- it’s hard to get feedback. It has a built-in tuner, meaning that you don’t have to put anything down in chain. It’s really handy and it works well!
How are the new guitars you’re introducing today, namely GPCPA1, OMCPA1 and DCPA1 different from previous C.F. Martin models?
The GPCPA1 model itself is a brand new guitar, it’s a totally new body style, and so it’s like a whole-new creation. The other two resembles a cut-away dreadnought and a cut-away Orchestra Model, which C.F. Martin made in the past, but all three guitars share the same neck, appointments and electronics. All on-board electronics are the same.
- Francis Fu - |
