Talk about things that are worth their weight in gold - this book has been a treasure over so many years! I bought it in Foyles on the Charing Cross Rd, just a few months or even weeks after moving to London. It was my first time in that incredible warren of a shop and it made a vivid impression. I think I was staggered at the sheer number of books, all the different departments and signs, the strange passageways and uneven floors, the mismatched shelving, the dust... (sorry, old Foyles!) The music department was tricky to find, seemingly up in the rafters - I remember browsing and finding this simple pocket book. I think it was pressed into service almost immediately, and has since travelled all round with me, to countless parties and sessions, all over the world. Of course the great advantage is that it fits into a pocket or guitar-case! It's also been incredibly durable - at some point, it lost its plastic film cover but it didn't seem to do it any harm. Inside are innumerable scribblings, email addresses, song sketches etc. I'll be using it on Wednesday for City of Chicago / Ride On, and probably Cliffs of Dooneen - and thereafter, hopefully for many more years to come!
I shared this post and the pending livestream to the Grand River Folk Arts Society. Interest stirred immediately among a couple of the performers, so they may be reading this now...hi GR folkies!
You have made it an explicated edition. Yes, many more years to come
Birmingham Folyes ( if it hasn't closed in this last year) is quite small. I was disappointed when it first opened as I had heard great things about the London Shop. We do however have a couple of fabulous Waterstones, one housed in an old bank with an elaborate staircase, with chairs where you could sit for hours reading,. There was also lots of different levels and odd rooms. I usually headed straight to the art , travel or children's sections but would still get lost . I have a couple of 2nd hand art books that i use a lot, both from the 30's and felt thrilled when i came across them in different shops a long ti…
I miss old Foyles...it was one of Mum’s pilgrimages for french books....we would be left in a corner being babysat by the books as mum rummaged. I loved the dusty light and the smell of paper....the payment method by tube too! Then on to Phil parkers (I think...long time ago) to ogle the instruments. The new foyles is welcoming with low shelves and alphabetical storage....just not quite the same. 🥰