Hill is Home and Jeff Beck - 'A Day in the Life'

After a successful second concert Robin has now arrived home.
It was something of a stressful journey as hold ups in security meant he boarded his plane with only minutes to spare.

However, he is delighted to be back, and we spent a very pleasant evening watching Jeff Beck at Ronnie Scott's on BBC4.
What a fantastic, original and virtuosic performance by Beck very ably supported by his excellent band.
How refreshing to see and hear him, at 64, still innovating - a master,not only in the art of the electric guitar, but also of music itself. Highly effective, lean arrangements utilising silence and space and brilliant dynamics.

For the next 6 days you can witness Jeff Beck at Ronnie Scott's, here, courtesy of the BBC.

I knew it would happen though.
I turned my back for a minute and Robin disappeared.
Then the distant sound of his Fender Stratocaster could be heard from his studio.
Robin just couldn't resist going off and having a quick blast...

One of our favourite songs on the programme was Beck's version of Lennon and McCartney's 'A Day in the Life'.
Here it is, not from Ronnie Scott's, but Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Nigel Kennedy Proms 2008 - Monocle Poppin' Innit?

Thank you to the BBC.
Last night we were treated to the recording of Nigel Kennedy's performance at the BBC Proms 2008.
It proved to be an oasis in the cultural void that is television today.

What a pleasure to see Kennedy perform Elgar's Violin Concerto with the passion, mastery and skill of the true virtuoso that he is.

His ability to engage not only the audience, but also the BBC Concert Orchestra, shows the mutual respect that was justly deserved.

As if one concerto wasn't enough, Kennedy then went on to play with his Polish Jazz Quintet, proving once again that he is a true maestro.
I have said many times on this blog that it is rare for a classical musician to play convincingly in other genres, but Kennedy is one of those rare musicians.

The fact that he had just played Elgar brilliantly, emphasised the quality of his musicianship, and only added to the quintet's kudos and gravitas.
It is always such a delight to observe any musician when so engrossed in his music, whether Elgar or his own compositions, and on this occasion Nigel Kennedy did the world a huge favour with these inspired performances.

Jeff Beck's playing was truly fantastic, and, with the addition of Kennedy's version of 'Third Stone from the Sun' also being performed, (I don't recall ever previously hearing Jimi Hendrix's music at the Proms), it was a hugely refreshing change.

People like Nigel Kennedy are extremely rare.
We should cherish those with such ability and allow them to grow and develop.