The guitar has relatives that are hundreds of years old. But all share a lot of genetics: they are made of wood and usually waisted in shape with sound holes; they have fretted fingerboards; their strings are plucked and all of them can provide both a melodic line together with its own accompaniment, which is often strummed chords.
This dual function always made them ideal for use with singers, dancers and in the theatre. The guitar’s association with Iberian music goes back a very long way, although it was also popular in Italy, where many of the finest early guitars were made, and in England where a different form or the guitar existed side-by-side with the so-called Spanish guitar, the modern 6-string acoustic version of which is so familiar today.
When the guitar became electric, its musical roles multiplied. Performers created new sounds and techniques that extended its technical capacities and expressive powers, and pushed its previous boundaries in a process that continues today.
Due to popular demand, we’re excited to present the second round of staff picks for our monthly Hey Jukebox! playlist, this time centred around the theme of guitars.
Staff members from various departments and roles at the Horniman have handpicked their favourite songs that prominently feature this versatile instrument. From the classical compositions of Joaquín Rodrigo to the 70s R&B of Curtis Mayfield, and the hard rock of Led Zeppelin, this playlist not only highlights the guitar’s incredible range but also reflects the diverse musical tastes and experiences of our staff.
Below, you’ll find some of the thought-provoking comments our staff made about their song choices, giving you a glimpse into their personal connections with these tracks.
Boogie Rock / AKA House Rocker – BB King
BB King – The blues musician who got me into blues music. I got my first electric guitar when I was 14. When I was 15 I got a cassette from my local library - Best of BB King Vol 2 on ACE Records. BB’s a great singer but this is a cracking instrumental (great sax solo too – BB was influenced by artists such as Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker). I saw him twice at RFH in late 80’s early 90’s – what amazing shows they were!
Bang a Gong (Get It On) – T-Rex
Marc Bolan’s voice is so seductive and when I originally heard it, it opened the doors to pure glam rock and all that went with it. Men could wear makeup and feather boas and be beautiful and accepted for being just themselves. His music and the music of T-Rex will forever be close to my heart. Even though Marc Bolan had died 5 years before I was born, he helped me become me.
Bodily – Ani DiFranco
Sometimes there aren’t words and I feel like Ani speaks with the guitar instead in this song.
Let it Down – George Harrison
I was 11 when George Harrison died and I was really devastated; my Dad bought the My Sweet Lord single that was re-released shortly after he died, and Let it Down was the second track. It was my first single. I'd never heard it before and neither had my Dad, and it was one of the first times I experienced listening to something with my Dad that was new for both of us. It's so simple and so beautiful.
Ixtapa – Rodrigo y Gabriela
This track perfectly captures my memories of travelling in Mexico, I am transported back to the beautiful landscapes, the sea, sounds and spirits of the peoples I met and the rich, cultural history I encountered.
Why does it always rain on me? – Travis
I always liked this song because it was more chilled out indie/rock music but it also brings back memories of a sixth form school trip to Edale. It was played a lot on that trip and it stuck with me at the time because of the lyrics "Why does it always rain on me? Is it because I lied when I was 17?
Cerca De Ti – Hermanos Gutiérrez
I love the improvisational and wistful feel to this song, it’s simple but really beautiful and I always seem to stop what I’m doing when it comes on.
Un autre monde – Téléphone
I loved the music, great rock song to dance and jump on, which we did a lot at parties but also singing the song alongside my guitarists friends by wood fires at weekends and holidays… The words talk about the desire for a different world, something better you dream of. It was the rebellion that I never expressed, nor seem to have needed. I was not a rebellious teenager, but loved the crazy side of ‘je voulais tout foutre en l’air’ which means to “mess everything up’ as a rejection of what is and a yearning for something greater.
Concierto de Aranjuez, 2nd Movement – Joaquin Rodrigo
I find this movement especially affecting with its expressive and elegiac melody. But the emotional power also comes from that single, quiet, classical guitar appearing to bare its soul to the whole orchestra, which then seems to understand and amplify its themes. Miraculously, the quiet and loud balance each other.
Staff that contributed to the playlist include:
-
- Adrian Holloway, Collections Manager
- Alastair Hutchison, Retail & Admissions Assistant
- Carole Destre, Climate and Ecology Action Coordinator
- Chris Hughes, Assistant Curator, Nature + Love
- Cressida Diez-Finch, Exhibitions & Design Manager
- Edward Schofield, Visitor Experience Manager
- Eleanor Hodgskin-Brown, Volunteering Coordinator
- Gordon Seabright, Chief Executive
- Isaac Palmer, Community Engagement Coordinator
- Joseph Rubio, Assistant Producer (Musicians in Residence)
- Julia Cort, Community Engagement Manager
- Lucy Maycock, Formal Learning Manager
- Mimi Waitzman, Senior Curator of Musical Collections and Cultures
- Misa Tamura, Conservation Manager
- Morgan Phillips, Community Engagement Assistant
- Nav Mangat, Senior Curator of Social Practice
- Russell Lewendon, Retail & Admissions Assistant
- Saava Benjamin Busenze, Assistant Curator of Musical Collections and Cultures
- Sarah Hall, Retail & Admissions Assistant
- Shuk Kwan Liu, Marketing Officer
- Stewart Leather, Graphic Designer
Join us in the Music Gallery on Tuesday afternoons for Hey Jukebox! where we will be playing these songs from 2.30pm.
Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash