Celebrate the Arts Not Stupidity

Well, Glastonbury is over, and all the revellers will be returning home to dry out, and the locals will have peace and quiet restored.
There has been a huge amount of media attention, with easy access to T.V. and radio coverage. So if you couldn't make it there, you could still enjoy the music, from the comfort of your own home.
That's a good thing, but, why can't other forms of music get as much exposure?
For that matter, not just music, but all areas of the arts.

If people, and particularly children, were able to view and listen to ALL types of music and learn about the more wholesome aspects to life, and our cultural heritage, then maybe we wouldn't have quite so many problems today.

This area was discussed by Kenneth Woods, over on 'View from the Podium', the other day. Having left the concert hall on a Saturday night he was confronted by a typical scene in many towns and cities across the country. Young people, drunk, and disorderly.
We shouldn't be surprised. The lack of coverage on our televisions about anything positive is minimal. Yet, reality shows are on every channel, endlessly.

As Ken points out, people need to be given meaning and hope in their lives, through music, theatre, arts and literature.
I couldn't agree more.

This should be tackled on many fronts. Adults should have easy access to inspiring and enriching programmes, which is where the T.V. companies should take some responsibility.
Children are our future. If all they know is 'Big Brother', how can we expect them to appreciate the arts?

Atarah Ben Tovim recognised this problem years ago and has actively been inspiring children around the world with her television programmes and school concerts. Robin worked with her many times throughout the mid 70's and early 80's, and Atarah continues with her good work today.
We need more strong, inspiring, characters like her around.
However, I don't think we have heard the end of Kenneth Woods view on the subject.
If he has some ideas up his sleeve, to improve the lot of our younger generation, then he can count us in.

Guitarist nails to Elgar

You'll have to wait a little longer for the music as Robin is out of town and has his computer with him.
He has actually travelled the length of the country to visit a nail specialist, who spends her time sorting out guitarists nails, from all around the world.
This is an ongoing problem, that I suspect, all guitarists face. In fact, during a recent exchange of comments with Kenneth Woods, over on 'View from the podium', he pointed out, that he could have never been a classical guitarist for just this reason.
At least it's nice to know that others appreciate the problem.
Lets hope some solutions are found today. Ironically, Robin's nails were in pretty good shape, when he set off yesterday. However, he had to make the appointment when he was home long enough to attend!

Meanwhile, here, and at The Daily Telegraph, Elgar appreciation continues. A report by Simon Heffer discusses the 'meaning of Englishness', and as one critic once commented, 'Elgar wrote the soundtrack of the Empire', so it seems a good place to start.
It's so nice to find people that are able to admire and enjoy home grown talent, not a skill we are known for in the UK.
Heffer ends his article on Elgar, "He is a true landmark of our culture, a life-enhancer, but also, as all great men must be, a towering example."
Here, here.
Read it for yourself, 'Listen to Elgar and learn the meaning of greatness'.