A review has just appeared in the Newbury Weekly News following Richard's Candlelit Christmas Concert in Hungerford just before Christmas. Patrick Cogswell writes:

"The last few decades have seen the emergence of whole schools of very clever young guitarists. All comparisons are futile, just be sure to make a date with Richard Durrant wherever he is, and whatever the weather. You will not see his like anywhere else."    

I'll be starting my 2010 gigs early this year with a recital of Spanish music at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Thursday 14th January. It'll be good to play some mainstream, classical guitar repertoire and to keep my hands going until the touring starts again in earnest later in the year.

There'll be Spanish food and drink served from 7pm (please contact the arts centre at least 24 hours before the gig to order seafood or veggie paella - there will be no meat stock in the seafood so ok for veggie fish eaters). The concert will be from 8.30 with no interval. Expect Granados, Albeniz, Tarrega, Falla - the usual suspects but played in the relaxed atmosphere of this lovely arts centre.

Tickets here - or phone 01273 464440. £10 in advance or £12 on the door (food ordered on night).

Here's to a Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year from all at LongMan Records HQ. This was the local view a few days before the Solstice - and now its time to shut down for the winter festivities.

Peace and Love to you all!

The Candlelit Guitar Concert tonight at St Batholomew's Church Brighton is on despite Brighton's arctic appearance. Just leave a bit of extra time to get to the church and mind you don't slip!

In fact the snow should make it all the more magical...

TICKETS ON THE DOOR FROM 6PM

12 years of open mic slots, beautiful music, madness, improvisation, comedy and friendship. Its difficult to sum up what the Airport Club meant to me but last Friday it all came to a close. The Ropetackle was bursting at the seams as Mark Allen, Jack Cryer & band, Mark Collyer, Alistair Mackie, Marianne Hillier-Brook, Mike Rose, Lindsay Field, Fr Marcus and the Durrant children Rooney, Daisy and Django took to the stage. The visuals were unspeakably beautiful (see below) as artist Malcolm Buchanan-Dick played the VJ harmonium for the last time, abley assisted by tech staff Simon and Chris with Bill Hammond on lighting. There's plenty more music to come - just no more Airport Club. Thanks to everybody who contributed over the years.

There are just two solo gigs remaining before Christmas. Both are Candlelit Christmas recitals. First in the beautiful church of St Lawrence, Hungerford on Friday 17th and the next day in the awesome St Bartholomews Church Brighton.

ST BARTS TICKETS ONLINE OR TEL. 01273 453422