Dave Evans, dear Dave, It's always a shock when you hear of the death of a long time friend.   All of us who were young active musicians in the vibrant scene of the 60's-70's have to cope with the inevitable happening 50 years or so later. But it is still a jolt.
Dave was a composer-guitar player-songwriter. He made an impact on the scene with his album “ The Words in Between” on Village Thing Records 1971.

Dave was born in Bangor N.Wales, but left early ,I think for E.Anglia. Though he reckoned he had family roots on the Orkneys. He spent time at Loughborough Art Coll on ceramics and a few years at sea. Then picked up the guitar in his 20's. Made several albums but he did not enjoy life on the road. The ardours of travelling hundreds of miles on your own, hanging about for the venue to open then jumping on stage and entertaining. Not for him.
He found a comfortable niche in Brussels. First as guitar repairer/ maker for Hills Music. I would visit him in his workshop,on the top floor. His domain. He seemed happy there. I think he eventually obtained Belgian passport or ID card, because of Brexit.
Dave made a harp guitar for Pierre Bensusan.and then others followed all the way to recognition at Harp Guitar Conventions in the USA. Dave sent me photos of his visits to the conventions, but unfortunately they all were lost when my hard disk gave up the ghost during the lockdown.

I suggested I play one of his tunes. Give his music a voice on the live stage every night. Maybe “Braziliana”. He laughed, “ You'll have to take another guitar Johnny boy” The tuning was CGDGBflatD. Another of his tunes was CGDGAD or something and he used DADGAD as well because everybody else was ! I said that's like moving the keys around on a piano. Hmm. His usual reply.

Some of Dave's contemporaries enjoyed the spotlight, enjoyed the entourage and sycophancy but it wasn't something that Dave sought . He enjoyed praise of course, and when I offered it he would hum and ha and wonder whether I was right or not. This was because he was a skilled craftsman, of high value. He made the guitars, he made the music, and ceramics and beer .
Dave Evans made it to 80. An artist fulfilled by his craft.