"I was first attracted to the guitar like most people by the sounds of contemporary folk music, that is to say, rock music. Guitar bands of the 1970's made the guitar a force equal to an orchestra and players such as Eric Clapton developed styles which equalled the expressiveness of the best of violin music.
Eric Clapton in the early 1970's (painted by Peter Inglis)
"The local Larrikin label is certainly playing a part in promoting Australian talent. Hardly a month goes by without a new CD from them in this category - and more power to them.
One of the latest reminds us that the violin has not gone out of fashion. Stephane Grapelli and Jean Luc Ponty have been keeping the public aware of jazz violin for many years, and there's our own Don Harper and George Washingmachine as well. Now newcomer Ian Cooper appears on the local scene with his first release.
A gentleman and a scholar, Ike Isaacs had a career in music spanning over 5 decades. I was lucky enough to record with him in 1992, only a few years before his death. The occasion was the recording of Ian Coopers' debut album Soundpost, an album of swing by this classical violin virtuoso.
Peter Inglis and Ike Isaacs in the recording studio.
