'Musical Bar'

As Robin makes his way up the Amazon on Crystal Symphony, it became obvious that Christmas preparations were underway in Manaus, Brazil:



He has already visited some incredible places and I'm hoping for photographs soon.
However sending them is proving a problem just at the moment.
But regardless of the fantastic sights he is seeing Robin has two concerts to prepare for, so he is keeping busy.

Meanwhile I thought I would share this joke with you.

It was sent to me by our wonderful friend Paul Griffin.

So at this busy time of year, take a few minutes to sit back, relax and release the inner musician...

Musical Bar

C, E-flat and G go into a bar. The bartender says, "sorry,
but we don't serve minors." So E-flat leaves, and C and G
have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the
fifth is diminished and G is out flat. F comes in and tries
to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough.

D comes in and heads for the bathroom saying, "Excuse me.
I'll just be a second." Then A comes in, but the bartender
is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor.
Then the bartender notices B-flat hiding at the end of the
bar and says, "Get out! You're the seventh minor I've found
in this bar tonight."

E-Flat comes back the next night in a three-piece suit with
nicely shined shoes. The bartender says, "you're looking
sharp tonight. Come on in, this could be a major
development." Sure enough, E-flat soon takes off his suit
and everything else, and is au natural.

Eventually C sobers up and realizes in horror that he's
under a rest. C is brought to trial, found guilty of
contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced
to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at an upscale correctional
facility.


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Samba, Bossa Nova and the Joy of Latin Homework

It has been very nice to have Robin home for a few weeks but he has not been idle.

He has been working hard on an alternative show which he has been asked to organise, featuring himself, plus an extensive band.

The pieces are varied, ranging from original compositions to arrangements of standards, which have all been given the 'Hill' treatment. There's everything from latin/jazz to swing and even some rock.

One piece, an original composition, is called Brasilia.

This is in a bossa nova style featuring guitar, bass, flute, clarinet, alto & tenor sax, trumpet, trombone, Latin American percussion and even a cuica. All resulting in a rather fabulous latin/jazz feel.

'Dolor de Muelas', which has recently been nominated for an award, is a piece in a samba style which has also been given the 'Big Band' treatment.

Arrangements have also been done for a number of well known pieces such as 'Can't Buy Me Love', 'Bach Prelude', 'Fragile', 'Here Comes the Sun', 'This Masquerade' 'Classical Gas' and many more, all naturally heavily featuring the guitar.

Amongst this musical extravaganza will also be a few pieces from Robin's solo guitar repertoire.

The whole show will be taken for a test drive before too long, and we will be searching for various musicians at some point.
But be warned, Robin is known for writing rather tricky trumpet parts, you only have to listen to 'Celebration' in the sidebar to see what I mean...
You can read more about Force Ten here.

Paul Griffin is responsible for hitting the very high notes on the trumpet. Based in New York, Paul was the product of a very musical background. His father Chris was one third of Benny Goodman's 'Biting Brass' trumpet section, and Paul himself played at John F. Kennedy's funeral.

I wonder if we can coax Paul back out on the road. That would be some show....

Benny Goodman Orchestra - Sing Sing Sing

Our very good friend Paul Griffin, recently sent us a link to the Benny Goodman Orchestra, and it makes fabulous viewing.
Paul has been a friend for many years and collaborated musically with Robin in the band 'Force 10', which I have written about before.

Paul's dad was also an excellent trumpeter, Chris Griffin, and you can see him on the following video.
I have mentioned Chris before, here, when Robin whiled away some time in an airport, talking about him.

Robin knew Chris well and they had huge respect for each other musically and it was with great sadness that we learnt of his death back in 2005.
However, if you find yourself in the Catskill Mountains, and need a fabulous place to stay, try 'The Griffin House' where you will be guaranteed as much talk of music as you could wish for!

But for now, you can see Chris in the video, with the Benny Goodman Orchestra, playing 'Sing sing sing' from Hollywood Hotel.
Trumpets, left to right: Harry James, Ziggy Elman, Chris Griffin, Johnny Scat Davis.
Another of Robin's favourites, Gene Krupa on drums.

I think you'll agree, these guys really know how to play....

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.....