Barnsley Chronicle Article, Jan 2012.

Interview by Adam Guest.  

Richard strums up a reputation

For a talented guitarist with enviable dexterity and portrait skills that make him a dab hand with a paint brush, Richard Kitson is surprisingly modest. Adam Guest met him to find out more.

MEETING PLACE

FOLK/BLUES singer-songwriter and guitarist, Richard Kitson is well known around these parts. The finger-picking craftsman has shared the same bill as guitar legends Wizz Jones and Dave Burland and played in folk clubs, pubs and bars in Sheffield and Barnsley.

In his earlier years as a boisterous guitarist, he formed part of punk rock band Strawberry Jack who he says were ‘the band that was banned’ from Barnsley music venues.

“We were good at writing catchy tunes that lasted about two-and-a-half minutes at most. I think people liked us because people watched us and thought — we could do that’,” Richard, 30, says.

“We weren’t like the Sex Pistols, spitting on people and being abusive, we were just noisy and a rabble. It is funny because listening to the Arctic Monkeys I think Strawberry Jack were like that but now we are fat, skint men.”

As an accomplished portrait painter, music and painting in the past has been a bit of balancing act for Richard, of The Walk, Birdwell.

“It used to be a tug of war with both vying for my attention I feel almost guilty at being able to do both things.” But despite his talents Richard is very self-deprecating. Painting and music are things he does first and foremost for his own enjoyment. The unemployed former Kirk Balk Pupil achieved 100 percent in A level art at Penistone Sixth Form and went on to study it atLeeds University. While at Penistone he ‘put art above everything’ and under the guidance of art teacher Anne McPake, he flourished.

His love and flair for portrait painting saw his work displayed at the Cooper Art Gallery in 2002 when he was crowned Young Artist for South Yorkshire in the South Yorkshire Open Art Exhibition. He turned to his guitar while at university and suffered what he calls ‘Jarvis Cocker syndrome’.

“I played more guitar, a lot of artists did at art college. Pete Townshend did. “I took to my guitar as a welcome distraction and I took an interest in the process of songwriting. Having heard Bert Jansch and Big Bill Broonzy I got into finger-picking. I liked to learn things and I didn’t feel like I learnt anything at university. That is probably down to my stubbornness but I did spend more time playing guitar.”

Richard released his first album Home and Dry two years ago, pulling in friends for the self-funded project. He hopes to release another collection of songs in the future. He has also returned to his painting and will have his work on show at an exhibition in York next year. “Portrait painting I suppose is like song-writing, it gives me the same pleasure, that I amusing my brain.

“It is a different outcome but it is a different process. Songwriting is an observation and so is painting.”

 

 

 

News 5/10/2011

Bert Jansch, 1943-2011

A reflection on the life of Bert Jansch, by Richard Kitson.

I don't know if anyone will read this this, I hope some will. Like many who love Bert Jansch's music I was sent the sad news as I came home this evening that the great man had passed away this morning. I knew he had been ill recently and had put up a brave fight against cancer and I hoped and prayed he had got over the worse and would pull through. He certainly didn't let his illness stop him from playing his wonderful music.

I first heard Berts music very recently in 2006 and like all guitarists who hear him I was struck dumb by his playing. I thought I was getting good at guitar playing, I was very wrong. I'm proud to admit that my music and guitar playing since hearing Bert is riddled with Jansch-isms as I try to grapple with the elusive essence of his music that was unique to him. I can't help but feel pissed off at the fact that he is yet another one of my great musical hero's and influences I will never get to see play. He felt the same about not getting to see Big Bill Broonzy so I guess we are even there.

I'm not the type of person who is liberal with his emotions but as I searched for a fitting image to go with this ramble I started to cry as I sieved through image after image of that unassuming character who let his songs and guitar do the talking. I guess I feel like I know him a little bit despite never meeting him as his music has meant so much to me on a personal and creative level. My condolences go to his family and friends and I know a lot of people all over the world will be both mourning his loss and celebrating the life and music of the one off that was and always will be Bert Jansch. God bless Bert, don't forget to claim your angels share. Love Richard