User talk:Catherinereed

Hello Jo,

No, no bad feelings, I hadn't read you're comments, I wasn't aware they were here until I got your email. Yes, I think I do understand your ramble about Wikipedia policies. Though I'm not sure there is any misunderstanding about the scope of what we're trying to achieve. I did use the bio as a starting point (yes, my mistake, I didn't realise each version as a draft stayed on the site), but made major alterations to it in order that it read in a more encyclopedic manner, this is what I was continuing to work on.

I have just gone and read the information on the biography of living persons and "newbies". I think I've just managed to fall into a "don't bite the newbie" situation..

What I'm trying to achieve is an accurate non hyped detailed and comprehensive biography on Preston and one that is interesting to read. The article that you have put on Wikipedia has many factual errors.

Preston is a composer and guitar player as you've mentioned, not a fingerstyle guitar player only, it's very limiting and given the number of different guitars and styles he uses doesn't seem quite correct to me.

1. He was actually 15 when he heard Hot Tuna, it's been misprinted in the bio, "as a teenager" would work just as well. (not a major point at all though)

2. He did actually play a concert on stage with Allen Ginsberg rather than supporting / opening for him, again old miss-quotes.

3. He did not get his first record deal from MCA, he had been on three labels prior to MCA, MCA was his first "major" label deal.

4. I don't understand what you mean by "Guest starred on other musicians productions" do you mean All Star Guitar Nights and Jean Felix Lalanne "Autour de la Guitare" type of things?

5. Preston has not acquired British Citizenship, It's Irish Citizenship, in fact he is a duel Irish and American Citizen, though I'm not sure that that's relevent public information.

6. Wording problem, Preston is not currently influenced by Leo Kottke or John Fahey at all as your wording suggests. He was influenced as a teenager learning to fingerpick, there is a huge difference.

8. Preston does not currently use any "open" tunings except for one on the 12 string. The correct term is altered tunings. He did use open tunings in the first part of his career up to Instrument Landing (1989). He also plays in standard tuning these days.

9. Preston's first recording is "Acoustic Guitar" (1979), (on vinyl not CD)  Preston used a Martin D28 12 String and a Martin D28 6 String on "Acoustic Guitar". The recordings that followed: Pointing Up, Playing By Ear and Instrument Landing (all origionally on vinyl) are the ones with the Michael Jacobson-Hardy guitars.

10. On the section of notable instruments, you've got Gibson L5 Semi Acoustic, it is in fact a Yamaha AE-2000.

I've made some changes to the above, but I think a lot of work still needs to be done to make it comprehensive and to make it flow.

Best wishes

Cath


 * Hi Cath,
 * I tried my best to not bite the newbie, but obviously didn't really succeed. My apologies, I removed my ramble about Wikipedia policies and such. I think your comments are quite to the point, and I agree with your intention to write a short, concise and comprehensive biography of Preston, and one that is interesting to read. Concerning your listed points I'm glad you found the errors and already corrected them.


 * My only question is to point 7. I don't understand the difference you make between open and altered tunings in this context. In fact he used open or altered tunings in all his later records like Metal, Ladies Night, Handwritten Notes and History of Now. Please explain.


 * Thanks for your efforts, I'm sure you'll further advance the article.--Jo (talk) 00:37, 27 January 2008 (UTC)