OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)

Subject: Isaac Guillory dead
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 08:58 PM

Ir was with a sense of shock that I heard on our local Sts FL Saturday afternoon folk radio show that Isaac Guillory had died.

I do not know the circumstanced of his passing, but I had the privilege of hearing him play in Britain many times, and also had the chance to chat with him on occasion about his guitars and music, when I found him to be an immensely engaging personality for one so awesomely talented.

I remember the first time I ever saw him play (or even heard of him) at the Cambridge Folk Festival in England in 1975. He was on stage in the guitar workshop along with Stefan Grossman, David Bromberg, Paul Geremiah and other much better known players than he. I hesitate to say that he blew them all away, but his performance there was something to savor for a long long time.

He was also one of these rarities, a monster guitar player who would have made it as a singer even if he hadn't played an instrument. I always felt it was an unfair allocation of talent ! He was Cuban born, but his grasp of American traditional music was incredible.

I feel sadder at his passing and hope that somebody who knew him better will give us some more information.

R.I.P Isaac

Murray MacLeod

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 09:11 PM

That's a real shame - I remember seeing him at Cambridge, in a workshop in a tent on a Sunday morning.

And that "Guitar Handbook" he did with Ralph Denyer and Alistair Crawford is still the best guitar book I've ever seen - every time I did into it I learn new stuff, and I'm sure most of the stuff I learn that sticks is Isaac Guillory's, because he was such a good teacher.

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: AndyG
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 07:05 AM

I first heard Issac decribed as The man who wrote The Book of guitar.
He was a extraordinary talent and will be sorely missed by all the Folkies in Cambridge UK (where he made regular appearances).

AndyG

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 08:26 AM

Very sad indeed - I saw hime a few times at Fylde and he was so full of energy. Strange co-incidence - he was Cuban. I wonder if the postponed Kirsty MacColl radio programme will cover his work?

Anyhow. It was cancer, undiscovered until too late and Isaac passed away on 31 Dec 2000. If I have my html right try this -

Look here

Once again, RIP

Dave the sad gnome

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 10:22 AM

Oh this is really terrible news. I met Isaac several times when I was running a folk club in the UK and his talent both as a singer and as a guitarist was awesome. His knowledge of a variety of musical genres too was tremendous. I am very sad indeed about this.

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: CamiSu
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 06:05 PM

I had never heard of Isaac and am grateful for the link to his site. I recommend if you haven't heard him either, that you give a listen, and maybe buy. I know I will and only wish I'd heard of him whiole he was still around. (perhaps instead of RIP it ought to be MMIE--Make Music in Eternity!)

CamiSu

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: Whiskey
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 05:59 AM

This news is a real shock, and Isaac will be sorely missed. I remember doing a support spot to Isaac several years ago in Bath. I can recommend his guitar playing to anyone who isn't put off by flash, talented guitarists.

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: Lanfranc
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 06:52 PM

Another one gone!

Moving up one rung on the world ladder of great living guitarists is no consolation when you were in position 22,345,678 anyway.

There'll be some good sessions going in guitarists Valhalla to welcome him.

I agree with Kevin, Ralph Denyer's "The Guitar Handbook" to which Isaac contributed greatly is a masterpiece. My well-thumbed copy is fifteen years old - is it still in print? If it is, I commend it to any guitarist, however good she/he thinks they are, they cannot fail to learn from it.

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: Lanfranc
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 06:53 PM

Another one gone!

Moving up one rung on the world ladder of great living guitarists is no consolation when you were in position 22,345,678 anyway.

There'll be some good sessions going in guitarists Valhalla to welcome him.

I agree with Kevin, Ralph Denyer's "The Guitar Handbook" to which Isaac contributed greatly is a masterpiece. My well-thumbed copy is fifteen years old - is it still in print? If it is, I commend it to any guitarist, however good she/he thinks they are, they cannot fail to learn from it.

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 06:28 PM

I have been listening again to my tapes of Isaac, and the wonderful thing about him was how astoundingly masterful he was in ANY idiom.

I mean, he could flatpick an Appalachian breakdown at finger-scorching speed, every note clean, and then play a finger style jazz piece with chords you never heard of, and it was all just so RIGHT.

Then he would back a singer like Elkie Brooks with such taste and panache. Plus he wrote really neat songs and sung like an angel.

There was a thread on Mudcat some time ago about the most versatile guitarist, well the bad news is he just died recently.

Murray

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: GUEST,Mark. West Sussex. UK
Date: 13 Jan 01 - 12:01 AM

He stood on our stage recently. He said "Here's one from those days when the melody went where it will and the chords just followed." Then he played "Stardust" and we all had a glimpse of heaven. Bye Zak. God Bless.

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From:
Date: 06 Apr 01 - 04:19 PM

I saw isaac play twice in Norfolk a few years ago. Loved him dearly. Will someone please write a biography. It feels like we have lost someone close to us. MY heart aches for his family.

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 06 Apr 01 - 05:50 PM

Yes, he leaves a void in the heart of everybody who ever saw him perform, Daphne. I hope that somebody has organized a benefit concert for his family. If anybody knows if this has in fact been done, could they post details here?

Murray

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Apr 01 - 06:43 PM

Here is something I posted on another thread (about a song by Vin Garbutt), and it's relevant here:

Talking about Vin Garbutt, here is a bit from an email his wife Pat sends out to people who've asked to be on his mailing list for Vin's gigs - and I think it'd be of interest to a lot of Mudcatters:

"Vin and I were sad to hear of the death of Isaac Guillory. He was a good friend to Vin. Isaac and his wife Vicky have given a lot of support to Vin over the years not least by turning up at concerts whenever they could and this must have been a bit of a busman's holiday for a busy musician. Isaac was a unique artist who's talents we will miss so much but also we have lost one of life's perfect gentlemen.

"Isaac and Vicky have two small children and anyone wishing to pay their respects by donating towards their support can do so by contacting us at Home Roots Music. Vin will be only too happy to pass on any mail personally to Vicky Guillory."

And here is the link to Home Roots Music and so forth:

Home Roots Music, PO Box 6, Skelton, Cleveland.TS13 4YT England Vin's web site: vingarbutt.com Vin's Agent:Speaking Volumes:Tel[phone] Fax [phone] http://www.speakingvolumes.co.uk

Subject: RE: Isaac Guillory dead
From: GUEST,Tony Johnson from Northeast England
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 01:51 PM

Issac was for me the ultimate guitarist. I vistied him many years ago when he lived in London and worked for Metro Radio when he recorded there.His style and ability were second to none and I still try to copy some of his licks.
If there is anyone out there that has any of his recordings or tapes of gigs I would love to hear from you.
[e-mail]
Make sure we don't forget him

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead
From: open mike
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 05:55 AM

I heard isaac when he was touring in California with
John Renbourne. I was glad i got to hear him play-
very profound and astonishing player, and singer.
I recall he was one of the few who i've seen play
a slot-style Martin guitar--possibly a D-35 S.

And play it well he did, indeed!
I find it hard to believe he has
been gone for 2 years now. I hope
his family has been able to carry
on. Laurel

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead
From: GUEST,Steve Evans
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 04:10 AM

Probably the best Accoustic Guitarist I have ever seen & heard. I first met Issac in 1971 in Newcastle upon Tyne from which day he was like a Brother to me. Always in my thoughts too many fond memories.

Sadly missed by his family & children, Vicky has pulled through well, Ellie & Jake are beatiful children. Not forgetting his other children, Jase, Sienna and Georgia - Love and miss you still

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)
From: Auggie
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 04:07 PM

"Probably the best Accoustic Guitarist I have ever seen"

I would certainly put him in my top five. Saw him many,many years ago in Chicago. Certainly wish he had returned more often to our side of the pond. I asked a question once through his web site and was amazed to receive a response from Isaac himself, which was followed over the years by many other e-mails.I wish I had saved them.Even without a guitar, he was an open, warm, engaging gentleman in the truest sense of the word.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 08:31 PM

And that quote ""Here's one from those days when the melody went where it will and the chords just followed" - I think that just sums up how guitars ought to be played, and how chords fit in.

Here's an Isaac Guillory website set up by his widow, Vicky. I've only just found it now, but it looks quite remarkably useful.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 07:48 PM

Since Isaac's name has (very properly) been mentioned on the 100 Greatest gutarists thread, I thought it would be appropriate to add this link, on this thread, to one of his virtuoso performances. If you click on this , there will also be a link to his amazing performance of "Wayfaring Stranger" which is also a "must watch".

This video of Isaac Guillory playing "Guitar Man" shows him at his absolutely jaw-dropping best.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 08:27 PM

Here's the link to that Wayfaring Stranger - amazing, as you say. And the thing is, the accompaniment is kept so simple and uncluttered. What's needed and no more than what's needed.

Thanks for posting that Murray - I hadn't seen it before.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 08:35 PM

Thanks Kevin.

I still can't get over the fact that he left us so early.

You saw him in a workshop at Cambridge, as did I. It is just one of these experiences I will never forget .

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)
From: shepherdlass
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 01:03 PM

What a wonderful link, thanks. We were rather spoilt up here on Tyneside and could see him regularly after he settled in NE England during the 80s. Still hard to believe he's not around any more.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)
From: GUEST,rik
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 08:26 AM

7 years on, I am still listening to Isaac

Subject: RE: OBIT: Isaac Guillory dead (January, 2001)
From: redsnapper
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 08:56 AM

Excellent links that I'd missed before. Isaac was one of my all-time favourites and is still sadly missed.

RS