Guitarmaster Ben Granfelt release a new and great Album called „Gratitude“ on 16.06.23. So it is time for an Interview about it.
What can you tell us about the new and great Album, the inspiration and the story behind it?
The story behind this album is that I wanted to say thank you to 3 gentlemen who have inspired me since I started to play guitar. Jeff Beck, Gary Moore and Robin Trower… and you must be deaf if you can’t hear that they have influenced me a lot!
How does the productions goes, how you choose your musicians for it?
I use my own band: Masa Maijanen on bass, Jari Salminen on drums and a young keyboard player called Miika Aukio. He has also played with Erja Lyytinen. A very talented player.
Which Guitars, Amps and so on were used on the Album?
Just my -63 Strat and my Gibson Custom Shop „Stripe“ Les Paul. The amp was the Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury Edition, I have 3 of them and I’m not buying another amp anymore… ever!
You mentioned Gary Moore, Jeff Beck and Robin Trower as inspiration. What is so special about those three for you?
Garys energy and melodic touch, Jeff Becks everything!!! Robin Trower’s got a wonderfull soulsfull touch to his playing and I love the fact that he’s still around making music.
You tour often in Germany, have you a special relationship for this country?
Well, I get gigs there 😉 And of course Ifd like to play in the Netherlands, Belgium, France etc. Hopefully I can soon. I’m not interested in going to the US at all. I’m happy playing in Europe. I know I have a lot of fans in the UK but even to go there is a hassle and finacially very hard. With my new aganecy and label On Stage Concerts I hope this will happen soon.
You are working on a project with Martin Engelin and Thomas Blug, what can we expect from this?
Good music with great guitar playing. We’re finalising the first album now but it’s not so easy with me living in Finland and the other guys in Germany. We’ve done the basic tracks together and then finnishing our own track by ourselves.
You turn 60 this year, when you look back in your career, what you think was great in this long time and what was not?
Everything…. well, there was a time in 2010-2011 when I burned out and took a break but othervise everyband I’ve played with has given me something great musically and many happy memories. I’m happy and enjoying myself very much now.
