With no other successful rock band does the flute play such a central role in the music as with Jethro Tull. When they released their debut album “This Was” in 1968, there was a mixed response in the musical media world. Critics saw no future for the flute as a lead instrument alongside the overwhelming superiority of the guitar heroes and the Hammond organ acrobats. How could they be wrong. Unlike Karsten, I have very positive memories of 1971. That was the year I founded my first rock-jazz group “STAGG”. You can listen to it on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLse20Z9XOo) if you're interested. And of course, besides the saxophone, the flute was the dominant instrument. When Struppix offered me to join the “Locomotive Breath” project, I didn't have to think twice. I think we came up with a pretty passable interpretation of this song.

This song is not a classic blues, It is a beautiful but sad blues ballad that deals with the most common theme in pop music. Love with all its facets. It was a real challenge to interpret this song by Gary Moore. The vocals, of course. I don't have a smoky, whiskey-soaked voice, so I sang it as well as I could. I based the guitar solos as closely as possible on the original. But I wanted more and added another guitar track as a second overlay. In the end, Karsten again provided me with a perfect playback. Many thanks for that. So listen to it and enjoy.

I've actually already said everything in Part 1. And in Part 2, I want to close this sad chapter once and for all. Even if I repeat myself. I wish that many good people on this earth were dealt better playing cards by their fate. As always, Karsten rolled out a perfect musical red carpet for me and, above all, topped it off with his trombone choir and string arrangements. Many thanks for that.

2017 was a very sad year for me. Although I wasn't affected myself, it took a lot out of me emotionally. Two of my work colleagues died after a few months following a serious illness. Another musician with whom I have close ties was diagnosed with dementia. And a buddy I've been friends with for over 50 years was diagnosed with a neurological disease that made his everyday life increasingly difficult. All of these events happened around Christmas time. At that time, Alen Parsons' Project album with the above title was my favorite, and every year at Christmas I think of these beloved people. Fate should have dealt better playing cards for all of them. I had the desire to cover the song as a reminder of them. Since my keyboard skills are very limited I asked Karsten if he would like to do the song with me. He said yes and supported me with a fantastic playback for my vocals and guitar playing. I am very grateful to him for that. That's how the first part of this song came about.

This song is based on an instrumental called "Workshop" by Nikola Petrek. N. is a luthier in Frankfurt and is characterized by highly craftsmanship. The visit to his you tube channel should be a mandatory event for every guitarist. Here you can see and follow in many episodes how he approaches all conceivable tasks concerning our beloved instrument and leads to a good result. Whether restoration, repair or general improvement of playability, Because the good thing is, N. is also a musician and this combination of guitar builder and guitar player is the ideal prerequisite to be able to meet our wishes and ideas as guitarists perfectly. I enjoyed providing his rocking riffs with vocals/chorus, bottleneck/secd. lead guitar and percussion. Thematically, I slipped into the role of a "Perfect Luthier" I hope you like it.