Music and the Great Outdoors

This could prove to be an interesting weekend.
Tonight Robin is playing at a charity event - in North Yorkshire.
That in itself is very good.
However, this event is being held in a marquee, and as most people are aware, the UK, especially Yorkshire, is suffering severe flooding.
I was talking to the event organiser the other day, and the area is very wet, but not completely under water.

I'm not sure whether to pack Robin off with his concert clothes, plus wellies, which would cut quite a dash I'm sure.

On Saturday 'Live Earth' gets under way with 24 hours of music hosted by eight cities, London, Johannesburg, Shanghai, Rio De Janeiro, Sydney, New York, Hamburg and Tokyo. Whilst many of these venues should remain dry, London could be in for a wet time.

Then on Sunday, Robin has another outdoor event, at Entwistle Remembrance Park. Whilst he will be seated under a pagoda the audience will be open to all the elements.
It's never easy playing the guitar outside, or in a marquee for that matter, but competing with rain drumming on tarpaulin could prove interesting.
I'll keep you posted.

William Congreve, Diana Princess of Wales, and the Positive Power of Music

Wembley Stadium was packed with fans, with a global audience of millions, as Prince William and Prince Harry 'celebrated' the life of their mother, Diana Princess of Wales. They chose a concert of some of their mothers favouite bands, alongside modern day acts that they thought she would have liked, to remember what would have been Diana's 46th birthday.
You can read a report by Caroline Davies, 'Princes mark life of Diana with music', here.

Music has been a soothing balm in many difficult situations for a very long time.
In the words of William Congreve:

Music has charms to soothe a savage breast
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.
I've read that things inanimate have moved,
And, as with living souls, have been informed,
By magic numbers and persuasive sound.

William Congreve (1670-1729)