You're a rock star in my book, Paul. I went down the jam sandwich path and left a comfortable local status to move to Austin, TX knowing I'd have to start at the bottom and work my way back up again. In the end it was all worth it and continue to enjoy the fruits of that labor. I've been blessed to share the stage with some of the best players in Texas and even got nominated for best new guitarist after my first few singles reached top 10 on the Texas Music Charts. I say that only to let you know that in the world of guitar playing I felt like I had reached a place where nothing inspired me or impressed me anymore. Then I stumbled across your channel and I was blown away by your playing. Your videos have re-kindled a fire in me that I thought was lost years ago. You made guitar cool again and I can't thank you enough for that.
Wow, what a great comment! Thank you man. You’re clearly someone who has had a life in music and achieved some goals. And so your complimentary words about my playing have warmed my cold Scottish heart. Thank you man 😊👍
There are a lot of technically brilliant guitarists around these days, but you're a fairly rare thing amongst guitar channels on RU-vid, Paul. You're a tasteful player. You have technique, but what you really have is taste and feel. Keep it up!
06:56 - Seems there's a song about your dad: "Check out guitar George, He knows all the chords. But he's strictly rhythm He doesn't want to make it cry or sing..." :) A good story, well told. Thanks, Paul!
Interesting how a couple of decades can influence your musical path. Like you, my road into guitar started with my father. He had a 1936 arch top that he played in a quartet when he was young. I was limited to the first three frets as the strings were likely 11s and my 12 year old hands were stretched to the limits. So onto high school and the saxophone which I loved. By the end of high school I was playing alto and tenor in a stage band playing music of the Dorseys and Duke Ellington. Then while working in a large music store I made the jump back to guitar with a new 64 Telecaster. In those days you either learned from a Mel Bay book or you purchased every 45 rpm you could afford. Yardbirds, Beatles, Stones, etc. So the learning curve was slow and tedious. I marvel at the skill of young players these days. Lessons are a key stroke away and quality guitars are affordable. So now as a 77 year old with a collection of guitars I simply enjoy sitting down and impressing no one but myself. Keeps me young. Your talent far exceeds mine Paul and I appreciate you sharing your love of the guitar with us old farts. And hopefully the younger players can benefit from your emotive playing style.
Thanks Taylort3b. Yeah, I’ve heard of the Mel Bay book…. I watched a video recently about a vintage guitar, and inside the case was a Mel Bay book that was bought by the original owner!
@@paulstaffordcook8799 I was watching a Rick Beato interview with a guitarist(can’t recall who)recently who also recalled using the Mel Bay books as a teenager. Thank God for printing presses.
Very nice story, Paul. The thing I was most struck by was your comment regarding the power of older, mature men in your band and life. They were able to "see" you and give you the opportunity to grow and grow and grow, as you put it. This world needs mature and wise older men to support younger men in their journey and to allow them to reach their goals. This is the hero's journey!
That touch, oh my goodness ... Melodic, harmonic and full of soul and life. Almost nothing in this world is in its place IMHO otherwise you should have easily won the Grammy, and I mean it.
Just adding to this, that you're playing, composing and expressing yourself musically for the sake music itself nothing more. That to me worth x10000 more than fame or whatever. We're lucky in this day and age to listen to your playing mate, you simply did not NEED the fame, hence your destiny. I'm a working musician doing sessions on a daily basis for mostly soundtracks. My dad is a professional classical guitar tutor all his life, and all my families are musicians, but as you said it yourself, I was never into going on tours, sacrificing almost everything for the sake of getting attention and stuff. Music for me was and still is a kind of divine catharsis before anything else, and I'm lucky that I can earn a humble living with it as well. You're awesome! Cheers
Paul-You are an amzing guitarist! Love your groove and you have sparked me back to what really matters in guitar- Having fun! You just don;t know how much of an impact you have given me on my guitar journeye going forward. Not just jazz anymore! You've awakened me bud! Thank you! Cheers!
If The Algorhythm was fair to this guy there’d be easily ten times these subscribers. Must have been 4-5 years ago I subscribed here just thinking to myself how is this music possible. Thanks Paul for everything you put into it. Keith
Seldom can i hear a guitarplayer or any musician that have that feeling and plays so intense from the heart like you dear Paul, =) it is so beautiful Thank you a ton for your presence!
My heroes and inspiration came from the same place as your’s, Mark Knopfler and the amazing Arlen Roth. I believe it was a Guitar Player magazine and tear out 45 that got me hooked on Arlen. Love your tones and touch, been following you since video one. Thanks for keeping your channel away from digital gear and reviews, showing us what really matters - how you play and developing your touch on the six silver strings.
Thanks for sharing your story Paul. The fact that RU-vid allowed you to share your music with us, while being a home-body. The Universe is a lovely being indeed.
I enjoy listening and watching you play! You capture the soul of the instrument. Uncle Larry is my favorite player on this side of the pond and you, Uncle Jamey, on the other! Top notch!
Paul your playing, touch, tone and feel are sublime but you are also an inspiring human being. I understand your need to be alone at times and just be Paul in this crazy world we live in and I wish you well on life's journey. Brian
Paul you touch on some very important aspects of growth and that is support and encouragement. You are fortunate to have had these elements in your life and I encourage all parents and teachers to instill the same in their young learners to help them grow and thrive.
You are humble man, paul. This is what I am thinking before I saw this clip. I always thought you are a guitarist / an artist and your main gig is making sound track for the movies.I was wrong but your playing in your y.tube is like sound track.
Hey Paul, so this LP wow! Soap bar x2 Tailpiece Gangster..... Really great playing..... May this find you well and safe 😎 Hope your dad is still enjoying his remarkable collection
Love this mate! I do think we should do an ‘alternative’ story where you highlight your experimental late 90’s/early 00’s? I’m thinking Mr Jones belting out Hotel California as a two piece, soloing the melody to Patsy Kilne’s ‘Crazy’ and smashing out Jonny Greenwood style riffs during ‘Living La Vida Loca’?? You were a wild man once PSC… 😂
Hi Neil. Lovely to see you stopping by my wee RU-vid channel! It’s cold and raining outside mate…. I presume you’re just working on your tan down there in Oz? Anyway, cheers for remembering my Mr Jones days….. blast from the past 🤣🍻
Great vid Paul, you deserve all the plaudits you receive. Can totally relate to the influence of older Band Members. Our main gigging Band was myself and 3 mates and all we wanted to do was play Purple , Zeppelin etc but the Drummer was the bassists old man and he kept us well in check - and bookings for years at clubs weddings etc. He knew our limitations a lot better than we did but happy happy days . Keep up the good work. A great channel 👍
These on the road videos of your are becoming my favourites to watch. I know I'm in for a treat when I see you outdoors like today. The added musical parts are of course the needed spice. As you know, I love that goldtop and the tones you manage to pull from it. Really something else. Thanks for another great episode from you my friend 😊
Thanks Thor, I’m delighted you like my wee road trip videos. Maybe that could be a monthly thing - “Join me on my road trip to ……” 🤣. Yeah, think I might do that !
I dont want to live with no mates either! Im a homebody too! Arlen Roth vhs tape was given to me with an old ovation. I felt that I was already good! Your story mirrors mine. I would be chuffed to travel from Georgia USA to your town to jam! Im Chadwick
I used to gig in Oban, also with a cover band in a place called McTavish’s Kitchen, in the 80’s/90s right on the main drag opposite the harrbour, fond memories of the place! I’m also doing my own thing now but miss the fun band stuff, but not the hassle!👍😂 Nice insight Paul, love your playing!
keep it up Paul, you are fulfilling your calling IMHO, sharing your knowledge and love of the craft. congrats to you family too for supporting you on your quest
Very humbling, god bless ya, this channel is the perfect fit for you. I'm like you, stay in my lane and anything else is a bonus. Love the ones your with while you can, coz when they're not around anymore believe me it hurts. Kind regards from an old rocker 👍
Had a wonderful turbot in Oban on a fantasic 2 week roadtrip when we still had the ferry from Gothenburg and you could bring you own car with the steering wheel on right side (thats left) haha! Thanks for alla the inspiration Paul!
I really enjoyed this one, Paul. I'm a massive fan of your playing but even more so of your skill in sharing the process of playing and being open about how much work it takes to be as good as you are. I've been thinking about the passage of time (aging if you will), maturity and priorities. There are many paths one can take and have come to realise that in short you are a very talented dicotomy wrapped up in the conundrum of performer vs introvert. I'm not judging by the way, I was actually talking about myself there rather than about you. I get that part of you which holds back, because I'm the same. The "can I really be arsed with..." stays my hand every time I consider getting involved with a band after all these years, when i'm just happier being in my own space with my wee family, playing my guitar and 'meditating'. I haven't even posted anything of me playing although I've thought about it often enough. I'm just bloody glad yiou share what you do. Long may it continue.
aww, that was brilliant mate. good call on the insight to the legend :) looks like you might have an aptitude for some car/driving video's as well, going by the little clips. how about doing Paul's version of "Confessions of a driving instructor" So proud for you having watched you from the beginning, didn't realise it's been that long, jings it's nearly 6 years since you did the video for ma birthday (retiring in 5 weeks) 😃lovin everything you do, keep them coming
Thanks Charlie! And yes, it’s been lovely to have your good self watching my little journey unfold. By the way, when does the fame come? And when do the groupies start stalking me? I went to Tesco’s earlier and literally nobody stopped to ask for my autograph. I was appalled!
youre awesome brother. love the old footage-i could tell u were crushing the hotel cali first solo break just by watching it wo sound! thanks for sharing yr story yr lucky yr dad played music w you…🙏🙏👊
I came across your channel a few days ago when I heard you play i just had to subscribe your tone reminds me of two of my guitar hero's Mark knopfler and Peter Green i really like your playing without a backing track, brilliant 🎸🙂
Another great lesson in how much beautiful sound is there within partial chords and stepping through inversions, and maybe even more importantly you show how to *enjoy* playing. (Do you hear the Godfather theme there too?)
ah,,,a fellow Leo...we like a stage and a microphone a bit, for sure. Lot's of Leos in the arts and particularly music. I retired from gigging in 2003 and the last few years I was doing only solo gigs which you'd excell at. Your playing covers a lot of sonic ground Paul. Thanks for sharing your story!
Hey Paul, you may not have a band but you do have a fan! And lots of them I’m certain. You are a great teacher… be it cars or guitars your teaching abilities shine through. Accepting one’s lot in life is key to happiness. Not everyone is supposed to be a star. I learned that about myself years ago but I still love to play guitar. I love the way the guitar feels in my hands when the strings and the amp are in perfect sync. Thanks for all you do.
Hiya Paul, always really tasteful playing from you, your tone is spot on too!. I wanted to ask if you could recommend an amp tech who can get my old '64 Vox AC-10 back to full health. Im just outside Glasgow btw. Thanks.
Thanks Keiran, delighted you like my playing! As regards an amp tech, I’ve had dealings with Martin (www.axeman-guitars.co.uk), who’s based in Edinburgh and also Stevie Flynn (Flynnamps.com) based in Glasgow. Both got the job done, but I’d probably suggest Stevie. Not only is he more local to you, his reputation precedes him as one of Scotland’s “go to” guys. 👍
It was such a lovely video Paul. Made me smile throughout. 🥰 Should have suggested your kid to play a “useful” musical instrument to you (drums or bass 😂). Final note, there’s nothing wrong with having 100 subs! 😜🤭
I got my first guitar 3 years before you were born, Paul. Still can't play anywhere near your ability. I have my dad's instrument. Unfortunately, it's an accordion. He didn't want to be a Beatle. He wanted to be Frankie Yankovic. I wanted to be the Beatle. Still do, as a matter of fact.
Hi Paul, cheers from Connecticut! You always seem to find the right notes buddy! Thanks for sharing your stuff.Hope you don't mind but i am stealing these beautiful progressions.You make notes that don't belong,,,belong
I suggest you post an add on market place for a couple of chaps interested in jamming once or twice a month just for fun. Completely random and see what turns up. You clearly want to play and who knows what might come of it. Pick a place not too far, but definitely not close to your home for privacy and safety reasons, especially for your family. The point is to get back in the mix, not necessarily in the band scene, but just playing and improvising with other musicians. There are plenty of people who would love to play, but don't want to be in a band. Honestly, I think it would light a new fire in you and energize your creative side. Just a thought.🍻🤙
Actually, I’ve written a few songs over the years, and I enjoyed the process. But I MUCH prefer writing guitar noodles and solos. I think it’s because I’m not much of a singer….
Hi Paul. It’s interesting you should ask that … because, up to this point, they are gauge 11s…. like I have on my Gibsons. But I’m not getting on with them. So I dropped to 10s just last week and I’m preferring them 👍
Why don’t you record at home for the streaming services? No need for studios these days. It’s very rewarding and there’s loads of lessons on here. Some software like Logic even have a virtual drummer included ….and they don’t answer back and always turn up on time😂
