On Saturday 5 December at 8pm, 主播大秀 Introducing in the West will broadcast '' a special programme about Bristol singer/songwriter Nick Talbot, aka Gravenhurst who died last December aged just 37. Here presenter of the 60 minute documentary, Richard Pitt talks about what it was like paying tribute to the local musician who he had known for over ten years.
I first met Nick Talbot in 2002, just as he was heading out on the path of solo performer as Gravenhurst. We recorded a session with him for Bristol Uncovered, just Nick and his acoustic guitar. It struck me immediately that he had something truly remarkable.
His death last year was an absolute tragedy, but it’s given me the opportunity to thank him by paying tribute in a radio programme and not many people get that privilege. I can’t say it’s been an easy process, but it’s been wonderful to hear the music again with fresh ears, to talk to Nick’s friends and hear their stories. He was a remarkable musician, but also a remarkable man.
Nick Talbot. Photo by Lucy Johnston
Nick’s sound was truly unique. He had the choirboy voice and the intricate finger-picking guitar style, but he delivered dark tales with difficult subject matter that were heart-breakingly beautiful.
I got to record 3 sessions with Nick over a decade. His first coincided with the inception of Gravenhurst - “I haven’t played a guitar in front of anyone in over a year.” For the next, 5 years later, when he played songs from the new album The Western Lands, he brought his pedalboard and explained what everything did. Deep down, he actually wanted to be Jimmy Page. And in 2012, he released what turned out to be his final album The Ghost In Daylight. He signed my copy - “For Richard - all the best mate.” The conversation would be about his new songs, the next album on the way, the challenges of sustaining a music career. He’d be gregarious, welcoming, always very funny.
I get to play great new music every week on . It’s a privilege and a pleasure - finding something new, inspirational, just plain catchy. The time I spent talking to Nick, listening to his glorious music, sitting wide-eyed while he played those stunning songs in session, will live with me forever.
Richard Pitt is presenter of 主播大秀 Introducing in the West.
- '' will be broadcast on 主播大秀 Radio Bristol, 主播大秀 Radio Gloucestershire, 主播大秀 Somerset and 主播大秀 Wiltshire at 8pm on Saturday 5th December 2015 and repeated at 1am.
- Find out more about '主播大秀 Introducing in the West' on their and .
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- Watch '' on the 主播大秀 Music website.