Our Song of the Day is from Nick Dellar, a self-taught solo fingerstyle guitarist who is now based in his adopted home of County Leitrim, Ireland. Lost Holiday (an shaoire caillte) is taken from his album
The Alder Tree’s Year and it was written in memory of his first planned holiday to Ireland being lost due to ‘necessary house repairs’. In his mind he hears ‘curlews over lakes…’. As he says in his liner notes, what you visualise when you hear his music is all subjective, for whatever reason I kept being drawn back to this composition which has become a favourite from the album. Do yourself a favour and buy it (available from Bandcamp as ‘name your price’), then set aside some time to really sit back and listen. It’s one of the most wonderful acoustic escapes there is.
Born in Essex, England – Nick moved to Leitrim in 2003 where he lives with his wife, her two horses, his half a dozen guitars and a cat who just moved in.
He quotes his influences as Davey Graham, John Fahey, Martin Simpson, Nic Jones, Peter Finger, Ry Cooder and almost every other guitar player I’ve ever heard…you never stop learning. Fylde Guitars…they sound wonderful and nag you to work harder and play better.
To find out more visit: http://breakingtunes.com/nickdellar
You can also get this album on Bandcamp here: https://nickdellar.bandcamp.com/album/the-alder-trees-year