Was a bassist with The Mystics in 1960's but stopped playing in a band in 1969. I suffer with Osteoarthritis and in the ages of 61 and 64, I suffered a heart attack. I then retired and decided to try to record for my own pleasure.
Having owned a cheap six string acoustic for a few years, I treated myself to a fender Strat, and now I own twent three guitars and a mandolin (including four basses)
With a failing voice and arthritis in my thumbs, I purchased a Tascam 4 track recorder and set about making my own music for the first time ever, the best results are here.
Inspired to write about the heroes of Afghan, our servicemen and women, I wrote Nightmares and a few other songs. These are in the A Tour of Afghanistan set.
I realise my work is not up to the standard of many here but I do love making music and creating songs and sounds but I have to record without drums....but the other instruments are all played by me. (Since found a simple drum machine an old 67yo brain can fathom out). Bought a Boss Micro BR 4 track recorder since but now at the age of 69, have given up trying to work out how to use it!!!
There is one track, Vision of Dreams, which I wrote the music for and a Bristol lad, Switchee Deltz sings.
Farrington Gurney was the name I decided to use to hide behind but decided that I would 'come out' and admit......it was me!!!
Play, record and write just for fun now but would love to get together with some other oldie to jam with and generally get back to playing with others, even if it was just for fun.
All the songs uploaded have been written and performed by me and rhythm, lead and bass guitar played by me.
Don't judge me on my voice or my lead guitar ability as it's the song writing and music creation I wish to be judged on
Update - March 2016 I suffered Labyrinthitis and sudden hearing loss in my right ear. After MRI Scans and blood tests and numerous visits to hospital I have been told that I will never hear in true stereo again and will need two hearing aids (one special one for unilateral hearing). All this has taken months and it is now November 2016 and I have still not had the ear molding done for these aids. All this, as I am sure you can understand, has made it virtually impossible for me to make new recordings as my balance, dizziness and hearing loss are all affected by music and Unilateral hearing.
It is now 2017 and I am still suffering with some balance problems but it is improving but at a slow pace.
Updated August 2020 - Lockdown - Now 74yo and my problems with balance etc continue. My ability to create new songs/music seems to have disappeared but I am still trying. I spend more time using Digitechs Trio and playing along with that. At my age, I wont be finding a band to play with so I (with the help of the machine) am a rhythm guitarist, lead guitarist, bassist, singer??? and drummer ? - Technology is wonderful - however, understanding it becomes harder than ever for this man who gets older in years (but not in mind) ever day.
Stay Safe, be nice, don't be selfish and keep the family close to you.
Many thanks for listening and I hope I haven't bored you.
Update 4th May 2021 the COVID year has passed and no new material for a long time. My balance remains a problem and concentration on music for too long makes me feel worse but I am determined to get back to recording this year.
