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I'm very much moving towards 'DAZZLEBOX' as a strong contender for the first album release of 2021, which will be the second of my Cubase recordings after the upcoming 'NEW VIBRATO WONDERLAND' album. I know this is pushing all the previously recorded but unreleased albums back even further but I'm rather enthused about this one and thinks it's something special. This will be a totally instrumental album. There are 22 tracks recorded for it so far, so it may even end up being a double album. Here are the titles of the tracks completed, though there may well be a couple of additions later on. This is not a running order, just a list of track titles: 'SLEEPLESS CITY.' 'FOOTSTEPS IN SNOW.' THUNDER, PERFECT MIND.' 'THE CLOCKWORK LIGHT MACHINE.' 'GREEN TIGER IN THE GOLD.' 'REVERSE ENGINEERING.' 'SELECTATONE.' 'TREMOLA.' 'VENETIAN SUBMARINE.' 'WHEN WE WERE BEAUTIFUL.' 'IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL.' 'BILLY'S BLUES.' 'MOONLIGHT RIDER.' 'BLUE SPIN.' 'UNEARTHLINGS.' 'THE INFERNAL MACHINE.' 'ANTIQUE GODS.' 'COVERED IN CHROME.' 'THE MEMORY MUSEUM. (ROOM ONE.)' 'COASTING.' 'AMIGO.' 'OTHERWORLD.' ' '

Tonight I've begun to assemble the track list/running order for 'My Private Cosmos.' I think it's going to present something of a challenge to those listeners who gravitate more towards the 'straight rock' end of my musical spectrum. Whilst there are plenty of electric guitar parts featured, the structures and surrounding framework of the songs are not exactly orthodox. There's something dark and mysterious about several of the tracks. How to describe things? Some might think of the tracks as resembling 'ambient, psychedelic avant-garde pop songs.' And that's not a bad description, despite its convoluted connotations, but it's only part of the story. Sonically, there's a deep, cavernous quality to several of the tracks, a 'lost in the void' feeling that requires a simpatico response from the listener. There are grandiose moments too, set against stripped back, minimalist verses. Electronic distress gets mixed up with smooth, tuneful guitar tones to create a feeling of gleaming chrome blighted by rust and decay. The album pulls together several threads of my musical interests and weaves them into an obscure, perhaps 'baroque' tapestry. It's sometimes familiar sometimes bizarre. Certainly not an album to be grasped and appreciated in a superficial listen, but, I hope, one that will blossom fully from extended plays. It's a slightly weird work, a little different from my usual, but also perfectly reflecting and extending some aspects that you may have become familiar with over the last few years. Oh, and at the moment, it's going to be a double album, maybe even a triple masterwork. More info will be posted here as the shape of the album progresses. 😉

I WAS GOING TO PUT THIS PARTICULAR THREAD INTO THE 'A BILL NELSON MISCELLANY' BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE NICE TO GIVE IT ITS OWN SPACE. I HOPE TO ADD MORE IMAGES TO IT AS TIME ALLOWS BUT MY INTENTION IS TO PUT TOGETHER A PERSONAL COLLECTION OF GUITAR AND GUITAR RELATED IMAGES THAT HAVE A PARTICULAR RESONANCE WITH MY BACKGROUND AND HISTORY AS A GUITARIST. IN THIS THREAD YOU WILL FIND CLUES TO MY LONG TIME INFATUATION WITH THE GUITAR, THE ECLECTIC AND ECCENTRIC, THE WIDE RANGING AND UNUSUAL, AND THE THINGS THAT HAVE COLOURED MY IDEAS AS A PLAYER OVER THE YEARS. HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY IY! COUNTRY GUITARIST JOE MAPHIS WITH AN UNUSUAL ARCHTOP AND STANDEL AMPLIFIER. IN THE 1960S I BOUGHT AN ALBUM OF JOE PLAYING ALONGSIDE FELLOW COUNTRY GUITARIST MERLE TRAVIS. HERE'S ANOTHER PICTURE OF JOW WITH HIS DOUBLE NECK GUITAR, ONE NECK BEING A NORMAL SIX-STRING AND THE OTHER AN ELECTRIC MANDOLIN. WHO ARE THESE WEIRDOS? NEVER HEARD OF THEM BUT THAT GUITAR LOOKS VERY SIMILAR TO MY ISANA BLACK PEARL ARCHTOP SO I SUSPECT IT'S GERMAN AND FROM THE SAME FACTORY. ISANA 'BLACK PEARL' GUITAR. I OWN AN IDENTICAL ONE. 'SAMANTHA' FROM 'BEWITCHED' WITH A VERY PSYCHEDELIC ARCHTOP AND A RATHER FETCHING MINI-DRESS! ME WITH GUITAR DESIGNER EXTRODINAIRE, JOHN BACKLUND. THE GUITAR I'M HOLDING IS ONE OF JOHN'S DESIGNS AND MANUFACTURED BY THE EASTWOOD COMPANY. AS YOU CAN SEE ITS SHAPE IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE 'SAMANTHA' IS HOLDING IN THE PREVIOUS PHOTO'. THIS WAS A BAND I LISTENED TO WHEN I WAS FIRST STARTING OUT ON GUITAR. PETER JAY AND THE JAYWALKERS FEATURED FOUR GUITAISTS WHO ALL PLAYED VOX PHANTOMS. THE STRANGE LOOKING VOX AMP IS AN EXTREMELY RARE BEAST AND WASN'T VERY SUCCESSFUL. IRINICALLY, THE ONLY OTHER EXAMPLE I'VE EVER SEEN WAS OWNED BY A GUITARIST IN A LOCAL YORKSHIRE BAND. CALLED 'THE FONTANAS.' AND HERE ARE 'THE FONTANAS'. YOU CAN JUST SEE THAT STRANGE VOX AMPLIFIER BEHIND THE LEGS OF THE BASS GUITARIST, (MIDDLE OF THE THREE GUITARISTS.) THE GUITARIST AT THE RIGHT WAS JOHNNY WELLSBY, WHO I KNEW WHEN I WAS JUST STARTING OUT ON GUITAR. HE WAS A FEW YEARS OLDER THAN ME AND WOULD BOAST THAT HE WAS 'THE FASTEST GUITARIST IN WAKEFIELD.' MY DAD USED TO CALL HIM 'BIG HEAD'! THE MAN WHO REALLY INSPIRED ME TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT PLAYING THE GUITAR, THE GREAT DUANE EDDY WHOSE SINGLE 'BECAUSE THEY'RE YOUNG' I LOVED WHEN MY MOTHER BOUGHT IT FOR ME, OVER 50 YEARS AGO.

Bill has made available one of the rarest albums from his vast catalogue... Astroloops was originally released in January 2015 as a CDR release issued in a very limited edition (just 24 copies) to purchasers of the Astroluxe Custom Ltd. guitar produced by Eastwood Guitars. Download your copy from Bandcamp. Or click on the album image for further information! Astroloops - available from Bandcamp now!

This may interest fellow string pluckers out there. It's a list of all my guitars and stringed instruments as of March 2020. I may have missed a couple but these are the ones that come to mind, Here goes... 1: GIBSON ES-345 STDV. (VINTAGE.) 2: GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM. (GIBSON CUSTOM SHOP.) 3: FENDER STRATOCASTER. (FENDER CUSTOM SHOP.) 3: GRETSCH WHITE FALCON. 5: GRETSCH DOUBLE ANNIVERSARY. 6: GRETSCH 6120. 7: '1970’s VIELLETTE CITRON CUSTOM GUITAR.' 8: GUS G1 MIDI. 9: HALLMARK STRADETTE. 10: GUILD X-500. (VINTAGE.) 11: PATRICK EGGLE BERLIN. 12: BURNS MARVIN ANNIVERSARY. 13: EASTWOOD SATURN 63. 14: EASTWOOD 'ASTROLUXE' PROTOTYPE SIGNATURE MODEL. 15: EASTWOOD DORAL ARCHTOP. 16: EASTWOOD WANDRE TRI-LAM. 17: EASTWOOD CALIFORNIA REBEL. 18: EASTWOOD SUPRO DUAL-TONE DLX. 19: EASTWOOD/AIRLINE TOWN AND COUNTRY DLX 20: EASTWOOD/AIRLINE MAP. 21: MY RARE GUITARS: KAY 'SOLO KING.' 22: .ISANA ‘BLACK PEARL’ ARCHTOP. 23: DANELECTRO PRO. 24: CAMPBELL AMERICAN 'NELSONIC' TRANSITONE SIGNATURE MODEL. 25: CAMPBELL AMERICAN PRECIX. (GREEN.) 26: CAMPBELL AMERICAN PRECIX. (BLUE WITH TREM.) 27: DUESENBERG STARPLAYER TV. 28: PEERLESS MONARCH ARCHTOP. 29: PEERLESS DEEP BLUE CUSTOM. 30: PEERLESS WIZARD CUSTOM. 31: MUSIMA RECORD ARCHTOP. (VINTAGE.) 32: SUPRO BELMONT. (VINTAGE.) 33: BURNS SONIC. (VINTAGE.) 34: GRECO ARCHTOP. 35: ITALIA MONDIAL. 36: HOYER 'HERR IM FRACK' ARCHTOP. (VINTAGE.) 37: GRETSCH RANCHER G3603 HISTORIC SERIES ACOUSTIC. 38: WASHBURN ACOUSTIC. 39: OVATION 'GLEN CAMPBELL' ACOUSTIC. 40: EKO 'EL GAUCHO' ACOUSTIC. 41: IBANEZ 'EVERLY BROTHERS' ACOUSTIC. 42: TURNER CLS-O1E ACOUSTIC. 43: 'KANSAS' SMALL ACOUSTIC. (NEEDS REPAIR.) 44: UN-NAMED SMALL ACOUSTIC. 45: CONTINENTAL METAL BODIED RESONATOR ACOUSTIC. 46: GRETSCH 'WILD WEST' ACOUSTIC. 47: TANGLEWOOD PARLOUR ACOUSTIC GUITAR. 48: LUTE NYLON STRING ACOUSTIC. 49: EROS MK 2 BASS GUITAR. 50: EASTWOOD/AIRLINE LAP STEEL GUITAR. 51: 'SWITCH' ELECTRIC GUITAR. 52: PURE SALEM 'ELECTRIC END.' 53: CAMPBELL AMERICAN 'ROCKET SHIP' CUSTOM TRANSITONE. 54: EMMONDS PEDAL STEEL GUITAR. 55: SELCOL ELVIS PRESLEY TOY GUITAR. (NOT BEST CONDITION.) 56: SELCOL ELVIS PRESLEY TOY GUITAR. (GOOD CONDITION.) 57: 'ROY ROGERS' TOY ACOUSTIC GUITAR. 58: MANDOLIN-NO NAME, VERY OLD. 59: MANDOLIN WITH BUTTERFLY INLAYS. (VINTAGE.) 60: 5-STRING BANJO. (VINTAGE.) 61: 1920s BANJOLELE. [WITH SIGNATURES.] (VINTAGE.) 62: CHINESE STRINGED INSTRUMENT. 63: DULCIMER. 64: ZITHER-HARP. (VINTAGE.) 65: AFRICAN STRINGED INSTRUMENT. [SMALL 'KORA' TYPE.] 66: UN-NAMED OLD RESONATOR ACOUSTIC. (PAINTED BY BILL IN 1960S) 67: ARIA UKELELE. 68: D'ANGELICO NYS-33. 69: D’ANGELICO ‘STYLE B.’ 70: D’ANGELICO EXL 1 BLUEBURST. 71: PEERLESS TONEMASTER. 72: PEERLES GIGMASTER AC. 73: YAMAHA SG2000S. 74: YAMAHA BASS GUITAR. 75: EASTWOOD ASTROLUXE CUSTOM LIMITED SIGNATURE MODEL. 76: EASTWOOD ASTROLUXE CADET LES TREM VERSION. 77: EASTWOOD ASTROLUXE CADET BIGSBY VERSION. 78: BACKLUND MODEL 100. 79: BACKLUND MODEL SUPER 100 DELUXE LIMITED EDITION. 80: BACKLUND ROCKERBOX. 81: BACKLUND MODEL 200. 82: TOKAI FIREBIRD. 83: FRET KING COUNTRY SQUIRE DELUXE. 84: PURE SALEM VALIENTE. 85: SUPRO BELMONT. 86: MUSICVOX MI6. 87: MUSICVOX SPACE CADET. 88: EASTWOOD 'THE COSEY.' 89: ANTORIA SOLID BODY (VINTAGE EARLY '60s) 90: HOYER LES PAUL COPY. (THE 'AXE VICTIM' GUITAR.) 91: LINE 6 VARIAX GUITAR,

I've deliberately avoided commenting on America's troubles for a while, God knows we've got enough of our own, what with the Covid situation, Brexit and Boris the Buffoon's rancid Tory government, but... I've been watching the ongoing crisis in the United States with horror. Interviews with Trump supporters at his recent rallies reveal the ugly backside of American politics. The people crowding together with neither masks nor social distancing to worship at the feet of the foul priest Trump should sicken every decent person in America. The ignorance on display is breathtaking. His supporters spout all kinds of dangerous nonsense, some saying that the pandemic is 'just a hoax designed to destroy America'. (No, pal, it's you that's destroying America.) The whole Trump cult has brainwashed and hijacked the Republican party, (and a way too large number of 'The American People.') Facts, evidence and science don't mean a thing to these gullible dupes. It seems we're witnessing the slow death of a once great nation as Trump feeds his ego and leads the country down into the sewer. Joe Biden may not be the best politician in America but he can't possibly be worse than Trump. Time to vote Trump out of office and hopefully regain some of what has so sadly been lost...

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/bill-nelson-quit-dreaming-get-on-the-beam-3cd-1blu-ray-deluxe-box-set Bill Nelson: Quit Dreaming & Get On the Beam, 3CD/1Blu-ray Deluxe Box Set     BILL NELSON Esoteric CAT No ECLEC42890          29th November 2024 • DELUXE 3CD + 1 BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION BOX SET OF THE CLASSIC 1981 ALBUM BY BILL NELSON. • FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 53 BONUS TRACKS DRAWN FROM NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND & STEREO MIXES OF THE QUIT DREAMING SESSIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES BY STEPHEN W TAYLER & RARE SINGLES & RADIO SESSIONS.

I have never really considered myself a royalist, but I feel a real sadness and sense of loss at the passing of Queen Elizabeth today. She always seemed a dedicated monarch with integrity, decency and grace. And despite her wealth and obviously elitist position, seemed to genuinely care about the people and situations she had to deal with in her long reign. I was four years old when I watched her being crowned Queen, in 1952, live on a television set my father had constructed in the back garden outhouse of our home at 28, Conistone Crescent on Eastmoor Estate in Wakefield. Several of our neighbours were invited in to our front room to witness the Coronation broadcast as very few people owned television sets on our street. The flickering, fuzzy black and white images that appeared on the small cathode ray tube of Dad’s home made TV set were, to my four year old self, sometimes fascinating, sometimes boring, but I sensed the importance of the event. I can still hear the voice of Richard Dimbleby who was the BBC’s commentator for the broadcast. It all seemed so important and momentous. She seemed a quite young and not unattractive woman with a certain innocence and naivety but also with a strong resolve, (though I say that on reflection as I wouldn't have known how to put it in words at that time.) Like most of us, my life has been accompanied by her long reign as Queen, (though I was born when her father was on the throne.) I've sometimes poked fun or poured scorn on the antics of the Royal Family, but always had respect for Queen Elizabeth. There always was something gently commanding, yet humble about her. In more recent years I once, accidentally, saw the Queen in person when her car drove past me whilst I was walking in York. She apparently had attended an event at York Minster and a number of people had gathered to wave at her when she departed. I'd wondered why these people were standing on the pavement by the Minster, then saw why when the Queen’s car drove by. As she waved to the crowd, for a brief moment, her eyes met mine. It was a strange, almost eerie moment. Now history changes and we are witness to it. We have a King, a man who, like myself, is 73, almost 74 years old. We were both born in 1948, only a couple of years after WW 2. My mother always liked to reminded me that Charles and I were born in the same year. So, I wish him well. But it's truly the end of an era. Rest in peace...

Listened to the first 3 discs this afternoon (halfway in) and my first impression is that this set is SPECIAL! There’s something in it for everyone; from the more introspective, personal songs, to rock, funk, jazz, blues, and even dare I say it, some pop. The sheer breadth of music on offer is truly astonishing. This is a journey to be savoured, with many aural delights to be enjoyed along the way; including for those looking for them – some truly wonderful guitar solos and breaks (note, they’re in Bill’s 2020’s style though – not the 1970’s). What did take me by surprise, I’m not too sure why, but that’s how accessible it is, even on the first listen. I’m actually finding the listening experience to be quite uplifting and it’s making me feel, despite all the worrying things happening in the world at present and as strange as it sounds, fairly upbeat and optimistic. I’d even go so far as to say, with a booster jab and by listening to My Private Cosmos, we will get through it! I think I was probably expecting much of the music to be more ‘challenging’ given the circumstances and period Bill composed and recorded it, however My Private Cosmos wears its heart and charms on its sleeve and IMHO will be enjoyed by all those who truly appreciate Bill’s musical world. I would love to offer up some song titles as being my personal ‘stand outs’ however, at this stage the list would have to be most of the 47 tracks I’ve listened to so far! In summary, my thoughts on the package as a whole; yes, it’s a given that it’s not an inconsiderable financial outlay for most people, but I would say to anyone who is able to, get a copy now while you can and bring a bit of pure joy into your life. I honestly think you wouldn’t regret it; the words of Keats come to mind ‘A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever’. And for those waiting for their copy to arrive; you’re not going to like this one – you’ll LOVE it!!

Welcome to the new forum. Hope you like the new look, find it easy to use and you will enjoy joining in with the conversations. If you haven't done so already, you will need to sign up for the new forum - your old forum details won't work here! Please try to keep your posts relevant to the forum... "William's World" is for anything related to the work of the boss - Bill Nelson. "World Outside the Window" is for general comments about...whatever you like really! "World and His Wife" is an area for fans to discuss their own musical creations. One last thing - please play nicely, personal insults or offensive posts will be deleted and the author will be banned from the forum.

It's with a heavy heart and a through a veil of tears that I have to announce the passing of my dear mum who died yesterday after a long and difficult illness. I'm devastated. I can't write more right now, it's too raw, but when the emotional pain eases a little I'll try and put a journal entry together to explain what has happened in the last couple of weeks. Mum was known, loved and respected by the entire Nelsonica team and the fans who knew her from various Nelsonica events over the years. As you can imagine, I'm feeling the loss very deeply and I'll miss her profoundly.

94 tracks spread across 6 discs, presented a fabulous book-set. Including an exclusive Bill Nelson plectrum and a postcard (early orders will get their postcard signed). Plus, two lucky winners will be drawn from the pre-order customers and will each receive one of Bill's original line drawings used within the book-set's artwork. Head to Burning Shed to place your order... Lots of samples on the Dreamsville discography page to whet your appetite too...just click on the album cover!

Head over to Burning Shed to secure your copy of Transcorder. Acquitted By Mirrors was a Bill Nelson Fan Club magazine published between 1982 and 1990. Transcorder collects all the EPs Bill Nelson produced for the magazine plus hard-to-find B-sides and rare tracks. The album closes with five previously unreleased instrumentals. Recorded on 4-track and 8-track analogue equipment at The Echo Observatory (Bill’s home studio), some of the tracks can be found on various CD releases, while many other pieces are making their long-awaited CD debut with this release. Click on the album cover for full track listing and album information!

If Bill, or someone who has Bill's ear and is also one of his ‘friends’ on Facebook still stops by Dreamsville / Williams World and reads this, please could you mention about the possibility of changing his account settings for people to view photographs that are posted on your / his FB page. I expect its because I just missed out on becoming a ‘friend’ on Facebook, but all I can see is a message as in these examples of recent postings: - Assuming Bill is happy for his wider fan base to see these photos, hopefully it doesn’t present a problem in letting his non FB friends but still long term followers see what's being posted on there. Having followed Bill and his music for around 47 years now it’s a bit frustrating trying to work out what other people on FB are seeing & commenting on. Many thanks in advance and the hope that something can be done about this.

Just appeared on the Cherry Red Records website, now available to order.

Despite disappointments if like me you have 3 historic editions of our late order we are not exactly without, are we?

Thought you might be interested to learn that there may be a release of 'New Vibrato Wonderland' in time for Christmas. This is exciting as it will be the first album released from my relatively new Cubase recording system. I've selected 14 tracks from the more than 100 I've recorded on the system since it was installed last year. The album will have a physical CD release through Burning Shed but may also be made available as a Bandcamp digital download. Here's the track list and the front cover. BILL NELSON: ‘NEW VIBRATO WONDERLAND’ ALBUM. Track list/running order. 1: ‘HIDE AND SEEK.’  2: ‘WELCOME TO WONDERLAND.’  3: ‘I OIL THE TICKING OF ANTIQUE CLOCKS.’  4: ‘CRAZY DREAMER.’  5: ‘THE GOLDEN HOUR.’  6: ‘COMPLICATED.’  7: ‘MERCURIA MAGNETICA.’  8: ‘CRAZY RIGHT NOW.’  9: ‘BLESS ME, BLESS YOU.’  10: ‘NEW VIBRATO WONDERLAND.’  11: ‘THE HOUSE OF A HUNDRED CLOCKS.’  12: ‘IN THE MIDDLE OF A DREAM.’  13: ‘EARTHBOUND.’  14: ‘SOME TIMES, THESE TIMES.’ 

Recorded in 2016, Powertron has languished in the BN archives for eight years. A potent collection of twelve pieces that highlight Nelson's prowess and invention as a guitarist. 'Its genesis came whilst recording tracks for ‘The Jewel’ album. Amongst these was a track titled ‘Drive Shaft’ which I considered too brash for ‘The Jewel’, but too good to abandon. I decided to create a suitable album to house ‘Drive Shaft’ and ‘Powertron’ was the result. It’s an album of left-field rock songs, mainly vocal but layered with loud and edgy guitars. It will appeal to those who enjoy the wilder side of my work.' - Bill Nelson   Pre-order for May 3 release.

Whilst 'Dazzlebox' is now completed and heading for release, I'm already sorting through some of the material for the album which will possibly follow it. This album will be a combination of vocal and instrumental tracks taken from the mass of Cubase recordings I've accumulated since the Pandemic struck. Here are just a few of the song titles: 'I Was Speaking With Orson Welles.' 'The Dusk Before The Dark.' 'Kingdom Of The Sky.' 'Silver Sparks And Coloured Stars.' 'Merry And Bright' 'An Acre Of Sunshine.' 'Friday In The Future.' 'Mechanical City.' 'The Listening Station.' 'Thunder, Perfect Mind.' 'Ghosts Dance In Ghostland.' 'When The Wind Blows All Away.' 'Fantastico.' 'The Super Sensualist.' 'Driving Through England.' 'The Astronomy Of The Heart.' 'Light Rain.' And many more, which I won't list here. Once I've chosen which tracks to put on the album and worked out a running order, it will be time to choose a title for it and prepare the package artwork. This one's working title is 'Timescapes', (though there's no guarantee that this will be the final title, but it might be.) So, there you go, another collection of new recordings for your listening pleasure. Coming in the not too distant future! '