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PETER DICKSON'S MUSICAL JOURNEY
Apr 04, 2005, Sun

The Australia-based flamenco guitarist thrilled fans with his brand of music at a recent showcase.
Story by PETER YAP. Pic by ZULKIFLI ERSAL.
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Peter Dickson was busy conducting sound checks at the Backyard Pub & Grill in Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago when he received a call requesting for an interview. He immediately obliged and set about talking about his love for music. The Australia-based flamenco guitarist was in town for a one-night only performance on March 23 with local jazz virtuoso Farid Ali (better known as Mr Gambus) and his band. The music that night was a thrilling fusion of East meets West.

But to those who missed his performance, take heart Dickson said he hoped to return to Malaysia real soon to perform more great music for his fans here. "Who knows I might just record a song or two with Farid," the 42-year old musician said.

The gifted guitarist is currently on tour promoting his solo album, Alone with You released in 2003. Dickson's compositions reflect the years of immersion in various styles including Latin, Spanish, India and French gypsy with noted jazz inflections.

Life has certainly been busy for Dickson, who travels with his Japanese wife, Hideko Toyokawa, a percussionist. "We met in Japan a few years ago," he explained. "We don't have plans to have children just yet. We have been too busy touring." Dickson will perfor m in Japan next month. He will also be performing a concert or two in India sometime in August. After that he hopes to find time to work on his next album, which will focus on his Asian roots.

"Asia is in my heart and soul," he said. "I love everything Asian!"

Born in Bangalore, India, of English parents, Dickson started his professional music career at the age of 13 and has since travelled and performed in Europe, India, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

He has been described as "Australia's fastest guitarist" with his impeccable technique and emotion, including complex lines with artistic integrity and precision, and surprising every now and then with percussive drumming on the guitar body.

Dickson first delved into the Spanish style when, at the age of 21, he chanced upon a recording of maestro flamenco guitarist Paco De Lucia in London.

Inspired by the music, he honed his skills at the acoustic guitar for up to five hours a day.

His first claim to fame was a hit record entitled Flamenco Falsetas with partner Juan Martinez in 1996, which sold over 60,000 copies in Australia. The success of the album introduced Dickson to legendary Australian 'finger stylist' Tommy Emmanuel, with whom he did three 'live' appearances and also supported on national tours.

In August 1999, Dickson launched a solo career with the release of his first self-produced album titled EastWest. He played all the instruments on this recording, blending the Spanish guitar with Indian percussion.

He went on to cut Talking to God with leading carnatic musicians in South India. In 2001, Dickson performed a concert in India with an Indian fusion band, which resulted in the album, Live in India. Peter Yap

Links: March 23rd Photos | Peter Dickson's website | Farid Ali's website |

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