I last came across Gordon Giltrap MBE accompanying Julie Fordham on a track from her 2024 album Earth Mate, some 47 years after first hearing Heartsong his most memorable instrumental guitar-fest. In between, his career has meandered along many and varied pathways and he has garnered the acclaim of audiences and peers along the way. His MBE award recognises this longevity, and also his charitable work, inspired and driven by the tragic early passing of his son Jamie in 2018.
Starfield is an EP, released on 28th February this year, with all royalties being donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust. The 25 minutes running time is bookended by two versions of the eponymous track Starfield, opening with the intended ‘A-side’ single version including vocals, and closing with the original instrumental version that the lyric was inspired by. Also included are four additional tracks, all recent-ish (barring one), compositions with diverse origins.
Starfield was written in 2019 and appeared on the Scattered Chapters album, released by Gordon Giltrap and Paul Ward in 2022. The lyrics that have now been added were written by the poet and song writer Rhona Dickson, whom Gordon met at one of his guitar workshops. She was deeply moved by a conversation they had about Gordon’s experiences after the loss of his wife Hilary and felt compelled to write some words and a melody line over the top of her favourite song of his, that turned out to be Starfield. Welsh singer-songwriter Susy Wall took the vocal lead on the track and the result is an ethereal song with a graceful acoustic guitar melody, haunting vocal, with celestial synth waves washing over.
The Dodo’s Dream written by Gordon and appeared on The Peacock Party (1979) and here reworked by another friend of Gordon’s, multi-instrumentalist and producer Paul White. Gordon’s acoustic guitar opens the track and is soon joined in contemplative conversation with Paul’s soulful electric guitar, in harmonic counterpoint.
12 Towers at Dawn was inspired by the work of the fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. Gordon describes the genesis of the piece; “one of my medieval flavoured tunes that had been around for a while. When my friend, the brilliant Italian progressive rock musician, Alessandro Corvaglia was writing material for his new album, I offered the tune as a gift to be included, he kindly responded in the affirmative and produced this stunning version, which in my opinion, took it to another level, far beyond just solo guitar”. Allessandro’s flute brings another dimension to the mix.
The Fox at Dawn is an evocative title for a tune that would sit well as the accompaniment to one of Springwatch’s mindfulness moments. Mark Guyatt adds keyboard arrangements over a simple, elegant guitar melody. Next, Small Pockets of Joy is a solo acoustic guitar piece inspired by the Who’s Substitute, written by Gordon’s long-time hero Pete Townshend. It’s the most upbeat and technically busy piece in the set.
Taken together these tracks provide an enjoyable, soothing, acoustic guitar-based, interlude to any day. A few moments to savour the talents of one of a select group of our longest enduring guitar heroes, and a reminder to re-engage with his extensive back catalogue.
TRACK LISTING
01. Starfield [Vocal] (6:06)
02. The Dodo’s Dream (4:43)
03. 12 Towers At Dawn (2:10)
04. The Fox At Dawn (3:40)
05. Small Pockets Of Joy (2:19)
06. Starfield [Instrumental] (6:18)
Total Time – 25:16
MUSICIANS
Gordon Giltrap – Acoustic & Electric Guitars
~ With:
Susy Wall – Vocals (1)
Paul White – Guitar (2)
Alessandro Corvaglia – Flute (3)
Mark Guyatt – Keyboards (4)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: MusicGlue
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 28th February 2025
