Streetlight Panorama - Felix Hill

Felix has released his second single, 'Streetlight Panorama', a fast-paced indie-rock song, which reflects the current struggles that many people face, and tries to highlight the often-overlooked details of our society. The driving drums and the layering of instruments show the gradual change in our lives, with memorable and hard-hitting lyrics. The timing coincides with his gig at the Deaf Institute in Manchester, an established and well-respected venue.

Felix also plays all the instruments on the single, apart from the drums which were recorded by the fantastic musician Maurice Cheetham.


Streetlight Panorama is very different from Felix's first single, 'Pale Moons', and this highlights his diverse musical influences. Having grown up surrounded by music it is no surprise that he regularly listens to artists as varied as the Arctic Monkeys, Sam Fender, Rex Orange County, Chet Baker, The Beatles, Bruno Major, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie and many more.

You can find Streetlight Panorama on all the usual digital outlets, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon etc.

Enjoy!

Robin, the Bat Guitar and the Cricket World Cup

Robin has been very busy recently with several of his more unusual gigs...

For the last few weeks, he has been playing an electric cricket bat guitar at Old Trafford and Headingley as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup. His first match was a massive one between Pakistan and India to a worldwide audience of over a billion!
Standing on a podium at the pitchside, following a cue in his earpiece, he plays a famous guitar riff every time a wicket is taken. The riffs are an eclectic mix of Hendrix, Guns 'n' Roses, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Clapton, etc., etc.

The spectators have been loving it as they can view proceedings on a giant screen. Over the tournament, word has spread and Robin has been getting many messages of encouragement on Facebook and also some requests! (which he has snuck in from time to time...) He has also been talking about it on BBC Radio and made the local newspapers!

One of the perks of the job has been an excellent view of all the matches he has performed at and he has thoroughly enjoyed the phenomenal cricket he has been able to observe at close quarters.

If you aren't able to attend but are watching on Sky, you'll still be able to hear him in the background!

It has been an honour to take on this role and he still has a couple left to do, so why not try and spot him...

Here's Robin practising one of the riffs, 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC...

A Little Nostalgia & some Musical Inspiration - Robin Hill

Often we are asked about Robin's musical influences, and as a performer and a composer, are there particular pieces of music that helped shape the musician he is today?

Generally people seem interested in the music that has inspired a musician, especially one who unusually is equally at home on both classical & electric guitar...

So, I thought I'd address this here today.

A commonly quoted sentence in our house is, 'Nothing is composed in a vacuum,' and this became my starting point.

I have in fact touched on this before in the post, 'Miles Davis, Stravinsky, Herrmann and The Beatles - A Musical Connection' but felt it worthy of revisiting.

At the time of writing Robin had just left on a two week trip, so he obliged by sending me an email containing the names of his major musical influences from the 1930's to the 1960's.

Miles Davis featured once again, not only as Charlie Parker's sideman but also as bandleader and pioneer of 'cool jazz'.

Given that Robin is a guitarist, it won't come as a surprise that the album, 'Sketches of Spain', was high on his list with its highly original arrangement by Gil Evans of the Adagio from Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.

Davis thought the melody was so strong that, 'The softer you play it, the stronger it gets,' and although there were critics, I feel it is an excellent example of different genres of music creating a most sublime synergy.

Then there's Benny Goodman.

A jazz clarinetist and band leader with the facility to play anything from swing jazz to Mozart concertos. In fact, Bela Bartok, one of the most important composers of the 20th century, actually composed a piece for Goodman, 'Contrastes'. Again showing the interaction and inter relation of many musical styles.

Two albums by the American bandleader, double bassist and composer, Charlie Mingus, also got a mention. 'Blues & Roots', recorded in 1959 and released in 1960, Mingus revisits his early musical experiences, mainly the blues, gospel and New Orleans Jazz.

It's reported that the recording sessions were rather disorganised but the result is that each track has a loose and relaxed feel.

The second album, 'Mingus Ah Um', also recorded in 1959 has had such an impact on the world that it was one of only fifty recordings added to the Recording Registry in 2003. An amazing album which can't help but draw the listener into the mood. Particularly the track, 'Better Git it in Your Soul', which, especially if listened to with eyes closed, paints a vivid and exciting portrait of New York City in the late 1950s..

Before we leave the jazz scene, which was so seminal in this era, one has to mention Django Reinhardt, particularly if examining the musical influences and inspirations of a guitarist.

Reinhardt was one of the first major European jazz musicians. The fact that he could only use the first and middle fingers of his left hand (due to injury in a fire at the age of 18) didn't hinder him. He simply invented a new technique of playing which has become a tradition in French gypsy culture.

One of his most memorable and enduring musical collaborations was with Stephane Grappelli, an association which produced not only great music but also some amusing episodes, one of which I wrote about here, 'Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli & the Revolving Stage'.

It's telling that many years after these musicians were performing, Robin was, and still is, influenced by their music.

Whilst he may have started out in the field of classical music, one influences the other, and it's no coincidence that some time later he was recording his own jazz quartet, Eklectica', you can read about them here in, 'Robin Hill Plays Claude Bolling's 'Concerto for Classic Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio'.

But jazz wasn't his only influence, no classical guitarist forms a career without being hugely influenced by the presence of Andres Segovia, whose own career spanned all the decades we are looking at and more besides.

In fact the blog post, 'Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo Pay Homage to Andres Segovia', describes how the duo had the tremendous honour of being asked to perform a special concert in memory of Segovia in the Sistine Theatre, Rome.

Another highly influential and original artist and composer is George Gershwin, an American composer of both popular and classical music with a huge back catalogue including, 'An American in Paris', 'Rhapsody in Blue' and 'Porgy and Bess'.

His ability to cross genres is truly special and recognised by musicians in all camps. One of his sincerest admirers being Maurice Ravel. His two piano concertos are influenced by Gershwin and, in turn, much of Gershwin's orchestral work contains distant echoes of Ravel. Both of these composers had imaginatively captured the zeitgeist of their epoch in different ways which were mutually inspirational.

Again, from Robin's perspective all the above can be heard in some of his concerti. Particularly, 'Concerto Primavera - Robin Hill', and 'Arrival on iTunes and Eternal Dance-Robin Hill'.

However, there is a whole other side to Robin's musicianship and one that is quite unusual for classically trained musicians.

He is also known for his electric guitar playing and has been in various bands over the years, starting at the tender age of 12, and later performing with established bands such as Jethro Tull and Deep Purple, as a session guitarist with too many artists to mention here and his own bands, Hooper, Spring and Force 10.

He had no hesitation in listing the bands that had influenced him in his youth and completed his early training in musical styles.

The Beatles had to be there, right from, 'With The Beatles' to 'Sergeant Pepper', Frank Zappa with, 'Hot Rats, Jimi Hendrix with practically every note he played, The Beach Boys, particularly the track, 'Good Vibrations' and The Kinks, 'Waterloo Sunset' and ‘You Really Got Me’…which, interestingly features Deep Purple’s Jon Lord on piano.

The interesting part of this musical jigsaw is that all the different styles I have been looking at are still prevalent in Robin's life today. He regularly listens to them all, and many, many more and their endurance shows the quality of their musical history.

He continues to look out for, and listen to, new music and old and still creates his own.

Currently he has returned to his band roots and is working on an electric rock/blues style album.

Two of the tracks can already be heard, 'Illegal Download Blues & 38459', and having read the history, you may well see some of the above influences shining through.

As I said at the beginning, nothing is composed in a vacuum. Every musician listens, learns and incorporates this knowledge into their own music, whether original compositions or interpretations.

This is why it is so important not to be bound by one style alone. Take a chance and investigate the unknown.

We have always felt it essential to expose our children to as many different types of music as possible. Actually, they didn't have an option, music has been available to them since before they were actually born.

But it is an essential part of learning and one we take seriously. Children are the next generations of musicians and it's our role to ensure they are inspired. In fact, 'Inspire Young Minds with Music'.

'The Waterfront' - New on Reverbnation

Today I am going to talk about a new track I have added to the player in the side bar, which is also available on our Reverbnation page.

The piece is called 'The Waterfront', and came about after a long day in the recording studio with the Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo.

The engineer asked Robin to stay behind as they had been working on a piece and wanted some electric guitar adding.

Always ready for a challenge Robin put away his classical guitar and was duly supplied with an electric one.

The resulting piece of music is strangely hypnotic, and in a very different style to the one Robin had been working on all day!
In total it is 4 minutes 36 seconds long and as the piece progresses there are a few Hill specialties in there with some nice answering phrases.

So listen and enjoy 'The Waterfront', either in the side bar player, track 4, or over on Reverbnation.

Robin Hill Joins Reverbnation

You may have noticed a few new elements to this blog.
To help spread the word of music we have now joined Reverbnation. This is Robin's Reverbnation page.

This enables us to reach a wider audience and also to share in other peoples' musical experiences.
There's a permanent link to this page in the sidebar, plus an area for you to add your email address, if you wish to keep informed of any new developments.

You will also see a music player in the sidebar which has a selection of solo, duo and electric guitar pieces, (all featuring Robin), for you to choose from.
This will remain in place, and there should be something there to suit whatever mood you happen to be in!

So have a listen, and remember, you can play any of these tracks whenever you visit.
Enjoy!

'The Ageless Audience' and Classical Music

Robin is now in Istanbul and settling into the Queen Victoria, which will be home for the next week, and I'm waiting to hear which day will be concert day.

When he does perform his concert, the age of the audience is likely to be, but not exclusively, 40 +.
There are many reasons for this, and it is often an area debated in a very negative way.
So I was very pleased to read a recent report by Diane Haithman in the Los Angeles Times, 'The ageless audience.'

The report challenges the view that the audience for live performing arts is aging, and suggests that this is in fact nothing new.

It's so refreshing to read a more optimistic take on the whole area.
Rather than the doom and gloom of the decline in interest in classical music by the younger generation, it focuses on the more logical issues that prevent younger people attending concerts.
Finance plays a part along with having young children.
When in your 20's you may well choose to spend any available money in a different way, and by your 30's, are often caught up in life with small children.
By your 40's onwards, the situation starts to change, and coincidentally, that is when people tend to start attending classical concerts...

There's also the argument that listening to classical music requires a higher level of concentration, something that is achieved over time, and with more life experience.
It's all there in the report, and is well worth a read.

But we shouldn't sit back and assume that people will naturally move towards classical music as they get older.
They do need to have some early exposure to encourage the transition.
This is one of the reasons why I blog, Twitter and run a MySpace page.
MySpace in particular highlights the need to interact with the younger generation in a way that is familiar to them.
Many of our 'friends' on MySpace are young, electric guitar players, who can see and appreciate the skill required to be a classical player, even though they don't do it themselves.
I have even had messages from some saying they would go and see Robin perform live, as they hadn't before realised how exciting it can be.
All that achieved from just 5 tracks on a MySpace page.

It is also why I have often mentioned the need for more access to classical music on mainstream television.
Then there will be more opportunities for the younger generation to hear and see performances, even if by chance.
A good example of this was the recent 'Maestro' series on BBC 2, which I wrote about here.

A worrying development I recently heard about in the UK, although I've not confirmed this information, is that for GCSE Music you no longer need to be able to read music.
If this is the case then it is absurd, and maybe they should re title it GCSE Music appreciation.
How on earth can you be given a qualification suggesting a certain level of ability has been obtained, if you can't actually read a note of music?

As I mentioned the other day on Twitter, our youngest son, age 6, took his violin into school and played a few pieces.
One of his peers went home and told his mum that our son could read that funny language!
Even at the age of 5/6 children appreciate that 'notes' are indeed another form of communication.

Would you give someone GCSE French if they couldn't speak a word of it?
I hope not.
This is not completely off topic.
The point being that 'early exposure' is vital.
We need to reinforce the importance, and influence, that music can have on our lives at an early age, to give children the chance to discover it in more detail later on.

In the words of G.K.Chesterton:

"Education is simply the soul of society as it passes from one generation to another."

Bananas on the High Seas and Bottom E

When sitting amongst an audience, waiting for a concert to begin, have you ever thought about the musician you are about to watch and wondered what they are doing backstage?

Every artist has their own routine, but most will be warming up, and in Robin's case this means scales and arpeggios.
So I was quite surprised to receive this photograph, taken immediately before going on stage for his first concert on the QM2.




Yes, it is Robin brandishing a banana in rather a menacing fashion.
From experience I know that shortly after this picture was taken he will have eaten the banana.
As most will know, bananas are an excellent way of giving yourself an energy boost when you most need it.
Performing before an audience is both mentally and physically tiring when a soloist, (funnily enough Robin never feels like this when playing his electric guitar) so pre concert is the perfect time to boost those levels.

He's not precious about this.
He doesn't demand a dressing room full of bananas in various stages of ripeness so that he can select the perfect one. In fact on many occasions event organisers have commented on how self reliant and low maintenance he is!
It's just if he can, he will eat one.
Every little bit helps.

Writing this has also reminded me about fish.
From choice Robin always eats a good meal before a concert.
Some musicians don't. They wait and eat afterwards.
But Robin wouldn't entertain performing without a hearty meal.
His food of choice is fish.
To explain why, you can read an old post about fish being brain food for musicians, here.
For those interested in musicians and their brains, you can also read this post from 2007, 'Musicians Have Bigger Brains,' which I wrote after watching a particularly interesting programme.

The banana served him well and Robin went on to deliver a great concert.
Despite the incredibly rough sea, and many passengers feeling decidedly unwell, there was an excellent turnout and have been many nice comments since.
Robin was delighted to receive one in particular, "You play like a machine gun," and had obviously made quite an impression on this chap, as he remembered meeting Robin once before and went on to quote the time and place! (April 4th, New York, apparently)
It must be a very nice feeling to know that you have made such an impression on an individual that they remember the meeting so well.

Electric Guitar for the Weekend and Dancing in Peru?

It amazes me how often you meet people you know when travelling.
Last night Robin met a man called Pete Marsh, and after the initial introduction, it became apparent that they had met 35 years previously!
Pete used to play keyboard for 'Force 10', prior to Robin joining, and they had met once, as the band were rehearsing.
So they had a few missing years to catch up on.

Whilst we are on the subject of bands, if you feel the need to hear some electric guitar over the weekend, then you can find examples of Robin with various other musicians, here, here, and here.

All remains pretty quiet over in Peru.
Robin is preparing for his first classical guitar concert, which is tomorrow.
However, he did get talking to a couple today who asked if he was a dancer!
I'm not sure how they reached this conclusion, and Robin did put them right after he'd finished spluttering over his coffee.
Dancing is not the first thing that springs to mind when I look at him, and in fact, in the entire time we have been married, other than our wedding reception when we had a 10 piece band playing, I don't think I've seen him dance.
Still, they were all having breakfast at the time, so maybe they just hadn't quite come too yet.
Now they know his true identity, they are looking forward to going to the concert.
At least they won't be expecting any fancy footwork.

Claude Bolling's 'Concerto for Classic Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio', Now on iTunes

An update for all classical and jazz fans.
Recently Robin Hill's 'Eklectica' released Claude Bolling's, 'Concerto for Classic Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio', on CD Baby.
To read more about the concerto go here.

Due to the wonders of modern technology, it is now on iTunes and will shortly be available on many other digital download sites.

As well as the concerto, you can also hear, 'The Incredible Lightness of Being' by Robin Hill, 'Largo' - J.S.Bach, 'Eternal Dance' - Robin Hill, Danza del Altiplano - Leo Brouwer and 'Waltz' by Daniel Bath with electric sitar and electric guitar.

Meanwhile here at Hillhouse preparations continue for Robin's next trip.
There seems to be such a lot to do.
It's not as if I'm packing him off to Peru or anything.
Oh, hang on, I am.
That's just where he's going.
More on that over the next few weeks.

Waltz with Electric Sitar and Electric Guitar

The final track on Robin Hill's Eklectica is another composition by the quartets pianist Daniel Bath.
'Waltz', is unusual in the sense that it incorporates singing, electric sitar and the electric guitar.

In fact the piece starts with Daniel singing and then Robin joins in on the electric sitar, with its highly distinctive sound.

The main section of the piece consists of interplay between the keyboards and electric guitar, with a melodic, laid back, late night listening feel to the whole piece.

It's always refreshing to hear musicians obviously enjoying each other's company and making music together.
This album brings these factors together beautifully.
When you hear the tracks in their entirety, and hear the music 'breathe' and develop, you'll know what I mean.

The Bolling in particular is an exciting performance. There aren't many versions of it available, partly because of the unusual instrumentation. I hope you all enjoy this music as much as I do.

Meanwhile here at Hillhouse travel plans are well underway.
Yes, Robin is off again tomorrow.
Check in then for more details...

Robin Hill's 'Eklectica'

A new CD is now available from CD Baby and within the next few weeks will also be accessable from all major digital distribution stores.

I'm actually quite envious of any of you unfamiliar with these pieces, which will be most of you, as some of them are original compositions!
You are in for a real treat.
Robin has collaborated with three other musicians to provide an eclectic mix of classical guitar, jazz piano, and, even some electric guitar and electric sitar.

For now, go over and have a listen, and over the next few days I'll tell you a bit more about each piece.

Here's the link: Robin Hill's 'Eklectica'.

Born To Be Wild

It's a strange coincidence that we found a CD of electric guitar music that Robin made a few years ago, especially as he is currently in that mode.
Also, we had been talking about Karl Maddison, the sound engineer on this album who sadly died last year.

The brief for the CD was cover versions of rock classics.
Karl was an inspiration as Robin tried to capture the mood of the songs, quite often during a dull, rainy day, at a studio in Rotherham. Not exactly Rock 'n' Roll!
He sat at the mixing desk whilst Robin thrashed away next to him and by all accounts they both had a great time.

This track is 'Born to be Wild', originally by Steppenwolf, and used in the 1969 classic film, 'Easy Rider'.
The film with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper captured the zeitgeist and the music featured included artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.

Anyone wanting to hear more of this CD, which includes Blue Oyster Cult's, 'Don't Fear the Reaper', and Eric Clapton's, 'Layla' amongst others, should contact Music Factory Rotherham, and yes, they are the Jive Bunny people.

Robin's nails are now rested and he is back to preparing for his forthcoming concerts.
It amazes me how he can switch between electric and classical guitar so easily. In fact it is quite unusual for classical musicians to play other styles.
I'm sure we won't have heard the last of his electric playing though. The flame has well and truly been rekindled, and as soon as he is home again, I'm sure he'll be getting out his Fender once more.

But for now, enjoy 'Born to be Wild'.

The Electric Guitar and the Halle Orchestra

It has been rather a strange few days.
As the school holidays came to an end son number one discovered a talent for drumming.
The whole drum kit wasn't set up, but he made use of what was available, and he has requested a new bass drum pedal for his birthday....
Not to be outdone on the noise front, Robin has been playing his electric guitar.

Now this may seem strange to regular readers, as they will know that he is soon off on a trip, and has many programmes to be working on.
But, in an unprecedented move, Robin decided to take a few days off from the classical guitar, to allow his nails to rest and grow, before going away.

Hence the electric guitar.
You didn't expect him to be without an instrument in his hands did you?
I must say it has been a delight to hear, and, Robin has been thoroughly enjoying himself, and now has a new, very funky piece, nearly written.

What he enjoyed most of all was playing along with son number one.
Not to be outdone, second son joined in with his Christmas triangle, and a shaker.

But now school has resumed and we are all getting on with our work.

I read an article by Ivan Hewett today, where he talks to Mark Elder about the forthcoming 150th anniversary of the Halle Orchestra.
If you remember, I spoke to Mark Elder back in November, you can remind yourselves here, and was very impressed with him as a conductor, and his ability to engage with the younger generation.
So, if you are in the Manchester area on January 30th, you can see The Halle's 150th anniversary concert at the Bridgewater Hall. For more details go here.

Deep Purple Haze Days

As we watched Paul McCartney the other evening, a memory was triggered for Robin, which I felt worthy of repeating.
It occurred as McCartney was playing 'I Saw Her Standing There', which he performed with his usual brilliance.
Robin said, "That's what I played with Deep Purple, at the audition."
I couldn't let that go and immediately went into 'blog' mode.

Robin was called down to Pinewood Studios for an audition for the place of lead guitarist, in a post Deep Purple band, put together by Jon Lord and Ian Paice.
The position had become vacant after the untimely death of Tommy Bolin, a fantastic guitarist who had played on one of our favourite recordings, 'Spectrum' by Billy Cobham.
So it was a pretty nerve wracking experience for Robin.

They started with, 'I Saw Her Standing There', and then went on to play, 'Palace of the King', by BB King.

The other band members then went off to deliberate, and returned promptly, to say Robin had got the gig.
Exciting times.

They went on to do a demo of 'Palace of the King', and you can hear it today.
The band members at this point were:
Ian Paice - Drums
Jon Lord - Keyboard
Maggie Bell - Vocals
Paul Martinez - Bass
Robin Hill - Electric Guitar

This track was actually recorded at George Harrison's house...
Unfortunately he wasn't in at the time, but they did meet on another occasion, however, that's another story...

For now you can hear 'Palace of the King' from the player in the side bar.

A Sitar is Born

And then there's the real sitar...



This is a fantastic and beautiful instrument which requires a lifetime of work. The whole technique is very different to the classical guitar but more similar to the electric guitar.
Traditionally the player sits on the floor, with legs crossed, but, as Robin finds it difficult to stay in this position for long, he has devised his own seating arrangement.
It seems to work for him and he is able to get some very nice sounds.
The strings are plucked with a 'mizrab' which fits over the finger, (George Harrison once said that it felt like a 'weasel holding onto the end of your finger'!)
I've tried one and it is a very good description....
However, this also gives Robin the opportunity to rest his nails, whilst still making music.
Consequently yet another project is underway using the sitar.



Robin's sitar has two 'toomba' which are made from gourds and act as a form of amplification.
It was certainly a rather unusual shaped parcel when it was delivered!

Heavy Metal and the Mind - of Robin Hill...

I read an article by Nic Fleming, in The Daily Telegraph, which says, "Intelligent teenagers often listen to heavy metal music to cope with the pressure associated with being talented, according to the research."

The study was carried out on a group of 'gifted' youths by a psychologist from the University of Warwick, Stuart Cadwallader. He feels that the perception that gifted children are more interested in classical music and reading is wrong, and that the students turn to heavy metal as a way of relieving stress.

Statistics can be made to show anything you like really, but I'm sure there is some truth in this.
Whether the fact that many schools, (in the UK anyway), have limited access to classical music has affected the outcome of our youths listening habits is another story.
Heavy metal, rock, R&B etc are all readily available.

Let me show you a picture.




This is Robin playing electric guitar some years ago, and yes, that really is him under all that hair! This was taken at a time when Robin played not only in his own bands, Spring, Force 10 and Hooper, but also with the major artists Deep Purple and Jethro Tull. Whilst not all heavy metal there was certainly an element of very loud electric guitar.
What this says about Robin, I haven't quite worked out...

Meanwhile down in London, The Mousetrap was fantastic and Robin hasn't told me 'whodunnit'. He will be home again later today.

Also, a very big hello to all our American visitors. I'm not sure what has triggered a huge increase in interest over there. The last time this happened it was due to some radio plays of Hill/Wiltschinsky playing Radames Gnattali, but so far I haven't established a reason. If there is one, please let me know so I can follow it up.
Either way, hope you enjoy the blog!

Force Ten To Be Reckoned With...

And now for something completely different...

As I've said before it is important for musicians to have an understanding of other areas in music. These days Robin is known for his classical playing, but where did that energy and expression have its roots?

I've mentioned the band Force Ten previously and the other day Paul Griffin e mailed us with an update of the website. It was fantastic to hear the music again, although we do have some old tapes of these tracks they are rather worn.

Paul explains a little about Force Ten and the reason the album was never released, so if you follow the link you can find out more and even hear 4 of the tracks.

Robin wrote the music and lyrics to all the tracks you are able to hear and in fact most of them on the album, except 'Come Home Baby' and 'Skiddleydoo' - Vinnie Parker, 'Seventh Position' - Steve Shaw, and the whole band collaborating on 'Silly Place For A Zebra'.

Some of my personal favourites 'Portrait of The Artist', 'Full Circle' and 'You' I'm afraid you can't hear at the moment.
However, some of the band members have started talking and catching up on a few missing years. Maybe we could put the pressure on and get them back in the studio.

So next time you are at a Robin Hill recital hearing him play some soothing Italian Renaissance Lute Pieces just remember what you have heard today and that it is possible to cross over to classical music.

Incidentally, Robin still enjoys a good blast on one of his electric guitars, to the delight of all our neighbours.....