Illegal Download Blues & 38459 - New tracks by Robin Hill

These newly-released tracks represent a very different facet of Robin's eclectic musical personality (he's singing and playing electric guitar and keyboard on these!)
For many years Robin has been associated with the world of classical music but he has in fact played and sung in many bands, and worked as a session musician with some of the finest around.

It was a simple dinner party that provided the catalyst for Robin to return to his rock and blues roots.
When the conversation touched on illegal downloads of music and films, Robin, as the only musician present, felt he had to voice his opinions and stand his corner.
He quoted Pete Townshend's thoughts on the subject, "If you illegally download my music you might as well come round to my house and steal my kid's bike."
He also made the very salient point that other people are making money from illegal downloads.

He thought his feelings could be most articulately, and appropriately, expressed via the blues...hence "Illegal Download Blues" a slightly tongue in cheek but, nevertheless, emotional and heartfelt song...

Having written this track he decided it would be an interesting and enjoyable challenge to record a whole album of songs...the next to appear was "38459" a funky kind of rock song.
Many more are now in the pipeline and an album will surely follow.......

As it says at the end of the video, "This track is dedicated to the creative industries everywhere whose livelihoods are diminished by piracy."

Both tracks are now available from iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and many other digital outlets.

Enjoy the video for, 'Illegal Download Blues,'then have a listen to, '38459', you have to hear Vanessa Haynes on backing vocals...

PRS Revisited

One of the great things about blogs is that interest in an old post can be rekindled at any time.
There may be an immediate response, and comments sent in relation to a particular item discussed, or this can occur days, weeks, months or even years later.

Back in June 2008 I wrote a post, in response to a newspaper article, called, 'Time to Pay - The PRS Licence.'

Initially, like all my posts, it had a steady stream of readers from around the world.
Then just before Christmas a flurry of comments flew back and forth between myself and an anonymous reader.

After a break for the Christmas period they have returned with more thoughts and ideas on the subject.

Many of my regular viewers will be unaware that this has been happening.
So, today I decided to redirect you all to the original post.

Before you do though, coincidentally, today I read another article which is not unrelated, 'Pirates win music download battle.'

Here's the post.
So have a look at the various articles and feel free to enter the debate!

Time to Pay - The PRS Licence

After a brief visit to Vigo, Spain, yesterday, Robin was asked to perform again last night.
After the success of his latest concert, there was a request for him to play at a private function, for a select audience.
He agreed and the performance went well.
Robin now has eight days to work on his next programme and enjoy some of the fantastic places he is about to visit.
He will also be working on the pieces he will be playing in August with Izzy Cooper, and all his usual scales and arpeggios, so he won't be short of things to do.

Meanwhile back at home, I read a report by Tamsyn Kent, 'Employers told to pay up for music.'
Basically, it is estimated that more than half a million businesses across the UK are playing music illegally.
By law, if playing music at work, then you need a licence.
The Performing Right Society (PRS) collects the money and pays the artists.
So, if you are one of those businesses that doesn't have a licence, or feels that the fee for a licence is too high for entertaining your workforce, then I hope you don't mind if I call in a help myself to some of your stationary, or oil, or the odd sandwich, or whatever.
It's a small fee to most businesses, but it's a part of any musicians livelihood...