'Standing on Air' - Robin Hill arrives on iTunes, Amazon etc...

'Standing on Air' is now available digitally on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and many more digital outlets, plus of course, also in CD form.

To listen to extracts from all 14 tracks, read about and purchase, click here for iTunes, here for Amazon, and for CD Baby, here.


For a little extra insight into the making of the album, interviews with Robin and a look behind the scenes at the recording process you can watch this video.

Enjoy!

Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell - Experience Reunited?

Those who follow this blog regularly will know that Jimi Hendrix has played a huge role in Robin's musical life.
But it wasn't just Hendrix, it was the whole 'Jimi Hendrix Experience', the meeting of three musicians who changed the face of music.
Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell.

It's not just Robin though, most musicians I know have spent a lifetime listening to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Right across the range from classical, jazz, to rock.
There was something so exhilarating, exciting and original about their playing, interaction, and complete 'ease' with their instruments that seems to inspire all musicians. Nigel Kennedy, for example, has always been very vocal about his musical roots and love of Hendrix.

So it was with great sadness that we heard of the death of the last surviving band member, Mitch Mitchell.
Mitchell was a fabulous drummer and the interplay between him and Hendrix was legendary.
You can read an interesting and informative obituary in The Telegraph.

The sad news prompted a weekend of listening to various tracks and searching for a fitting YouTube video to show all the band members at their best.
But it didn't stop there.
Robin has spent some time practicing Rodrigo's, 'Concierto de Aranjuez', for a performance next year, and emerged from the music room as I was surfing the net.

Just to live up to his reputation of the 'Hendrix of the classical guitar', he proceeded to play the opening bars of the concierto with his guitar behind his head...
It wasn't until I pointed out that this may not be the best way to treat his valuable Rodriguez guitar, and that maybe he should try it with his Stratocaster instead, that he stopped. (I know, it's boring always being the sensible one...)

Anyway, the world is a poorer place with the loss of Mitch Mitchell.
Our hope is that finally, after many years, the trio have now been reunited, and are holding the best ever jam session somewhere....

But here on earth, we have to be content with archive footage.
There's so much to choose from it has been difficult.
We finally settled on a song called 'Killing Floor', originally by the band, 'Electric Flag', as it shows beautifully the energy and interaction on stage during a live performance.
As the video won't post to blog, you'll have to click the link to watch, but it's worth it... 'The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Killing Floor.'

The QE2 - Final Journey

Now this is confusing as Robin is actually on the Queen Victoria.
But as he has performed many times on the QE2, and I have many QE2 fans who follow this blog, I couldn't let such a significant day pass without a mention.

I am referring to the preparations for the final journey of the QE2 as she leaves Southampton.
You can read an article by Caroline Gammell here.

The QE2 is very special and Robin has had many happy times on board.
I have written so many posts about her over the years, and you can see some of them by typing QE2 into 'search blog', but here are a selection.

'The QE2, the Giant Cat, and Plenty of Practice', 'Comedy on Cunard, Coffee and Clapping and YouTube', or maybe, 'Post Rodrigo's 'Adagio'.

There has been a minor problem though in the early hours of the morning.
Apparently the QE2 ran aground, but even this event was so gracefully done that most passengers were unaware of the problem!
You can read Kate Kelland's report here.

We wish her a safe final journey. Meanwhile, Robin and the Queen Victoria have arrived in Port Said, Egypt, and his second concert is tomorrow.

Alicia de Larrocha, the Ritual Fire Dance and a Maths Exam.

The Glory of Spain:



This is one of Robin's favourite DVDs and it has entertained him on many occasions whilst travelling.
But yesterday he found another use for it.
Son number one was anxious about a forthcoming test and Robin was trying to reassure him.
Then he remembered that on this DVD there's some footage of the pianist Alicia de Larrocha, performing Manuel de Falla's, 'Ritual Fire Dance.'

Robin played this too our eldest, who was suitably impressed by the incredibly dexterous, rhythmic and virtuosic performance.
He then asked what this had to do with his maths exam.
The answer was simple.
Alicia de Larrocha has been known to admit that prior to a concert she often is so scared that she hopes for an earthquake so the performance can't go ahead.
When watching her play with such confidence, this seems hard to imagine.
Strangely, it is often those with the most ability that have the most fear.
Their need to give the best possible performance, at all times, is a weighty responsibility.
The point being made, was of course, that son number one was only anxious because he cared.
He had done the work and wanted it to be reflected in his results.
We shall see...

But I did find the same performance on YouTube, unfortunately it won't post to the blog, but you can visit it here, so sit back and marvel.

Birthday, Blogs, a Beatle and Ravi Shankar

Today is Robin's birthday and we are very lucky to have him at home to help him celebrate.
The day started with the normal rendition of 'Happy Birthday', sung by all the family, as an early morning wake up call, followed by a present opening ceremony, before pre school chaos ensued.
Once calm had returned to the house we decided to take some time out.
This is actually quite rare, so was a real treat for us both. That's the beauty of having a birthday in the house, everyone gets to enjoy it!

As it has been such a nice day here, we packed up a picnic, and took ourselves off for a drive in the countryside, and had a thoroughly good time.

But now it's back to work.
Robin is practicing his guitar.
I have been dealing with agents about the forthcoming trips.
Actually, I'm rather envious of some of the places Robin will be visiting over the next few weeks. Hopefully there will be plenty of photo opportunities coming up.

But sitar mania does continue here.
Have you ever heard 'Happy Birthday' on the sitar?
It sounds great, even though the birthday boy had to play it himself, whilst the rest of us finished breakfast. I suppose that's the downside of being the musician.
Not only is Robin still playing his sitar, but he is also listening to others play, and watching them on YouTube.
Here's a example, it's Ravi Shanker giving George Harrison a sitar lesson...!

Comedy on Cunard, Coffee and Clapping, and YouTube

I have a selection of updates for you today.
First, it appears that the Captain on the QE2 has a sense of humour.
Read this post from a few days ago.
Well, it appears that a number of April Fool pranks were going on, all over the ship, for most of the morning.
The giant cat, advertised in the daily newspaper, had many guests up on deck hoping to catch a glimpse of this beast.
Whether a crew member was parading around with a stuffed cat, I'm not sure, but, there wasn't actually an Egyptian man with an enormous cat in residence.

However, some guests may have missed it.
Particularly if they don't have good sea legs.
In each room is a TV monitor, which you can have tuned to a camera, that's situated on the front of the ship.
Then you can watch the sea, from a similar perspective to the captain, and follow the ships progress.
On the first of April, the live shot was replaced with some video footage, of extremely rough sea, crashing over the QE2.

Robin said he turned the monitor on, saw the huge waves, and was somewhat surprised.
After many trips around the world, some of them in very bad weather, with waves of over 40 feet, he knows what rough sea feels like.
On this day though, the ship was steady as a rock, no cupboard doors banging, no pitching and rolling, no music falling off stands.
He went to investigate and discovered a beautifully calm sea outside.
I can't help but wonder how many guests remained in their cabins all day feeling a little nauseous....

Secondly, it seems that Robin and Izzy's performance of Rodrigo's Adagio is still being appreciated by the audience.
Izzy has now left the QE2, but Robin has a few more days, and two concerts to perform.
He decided to venture into the restaurant for some coffee, only to be met by spontaneous applause from a group of guests.
It's very nice to be appreciated.

Finally, I decided to have a quick look at my husband on YouTube, just to remind myself what he looks like, and clicked on the 'Virtuoso' link.
I haven't been there for a while and there were a couple of new comments, one of which intrigued me.
Someone claims to have met Robin in the 70's, as Robin went out with his sister for a while. He remembers him well because of the many hours of practice he did!
Some things never change.
I shall have to follow up on that one when he gets back even though it was way before my time...

'Twitter' on Life of a Musician...

The last time I heard from Robin he was about to go out to dinner, in Jamaica, with the flautist, Simeon Wood.
Not a bad way to pass an evening.
He will be working hard now though, with plenty of guitar practise, as Robin has a concert today.

I have also been busy.
For some time I have been aware of 'Twitter', and have been considering adding it to the blog.
Fellow blogger, Jason Heath , has been a fan for a while now, and fuelled by his enthusiasm, I investigated further.

As I have said before, there are many people following this blog because they are interested in the 'Wife of a Musician', alongside the 'Life of a Musician'.
Twitter gives me the opportunity to add little bite size snippets of information, that may be about me, Robin, thoughts in general, or, really anything I feel like.
The beauty is that it's quick, easy, and it means there will always be something new for you to read, even if I haven't posted a traditional blog that day.

All you have to do is glance to your left, and you will see the new feature,'Twitter Updates'.
This will carry the last five entries I've added, but, if you want to read more, click on 'Follow me on Twitter', and you can see how, gradually, my network of fellow twitters will grow.
Alternatively, join yourself, and you'll find me at, 'twitter.com/AnnaHill'.

At the risk of sounding like Jason's stalker, we have already met up on Twitter, and I'm also posting the same YouTube clip he used recently, mainly because it explains the whole thing so succinctly.

I do have other 'experiments' underway, but, more of that on another day.
I don't want to go into technological overload....

Los Angeles at Last and the Professor Returns?

The Queen Victoria has arrived in Los Angeles and this is where Robin begins his long journey home.
During the last 1000 nautical miles, a recent message from him made me laugh.
He had been enjoying the late afternoon sunshine, relaxing on a lounger, and reading a book.
Robin had the feeling he was being watched so glanced up.
A group of passengers were standing nearby with a video camera trained on him.
Taking refuge behind his sunglasses he tried to carry on reading as if nothing was happening.
Not wanted to upset anyone he maintained his pose for several minutes.
At which point the group switched off the camera and moved on.
He doesn't mind this.
It's an honour that someone feels strongly enough about your performance that they want to capture you on film.
It's also a nice feeling to know that somewhere in the world, marked under 'Family Holiday Jan 2008', and consigned to the archives, is some footage of Robin reading a book.
You never know, it may even find its way onto a site like YouTube at some stage, with a title such as, 'Rare chance to see musician at rest'.

But this is where concerts on board cruise ships differ from those on land.
On land, after the event, and a certain amount of socialising, you are free to go. At this stage most musician will switch off and relax post concert.

On board ship it's different.
You are fairly anonymous until the first concert, and, after that, your movements tend to be monitored by many hundreds of guests.
In some ways it's very nice. You get to talk to some interesting people, and it's always an honour when someone takes the time to tell you how much they enjoyed your performance.
For the guests on board, they have an opportunity to meet artists, which wouldn't arise on land.

However, there must be times when Robin just wants to relax, this has been a 2 1/2 week trip, which is a long time to maintain your composure every single time you step out of your room.
So, I have come up with the solution.
Next trip I shall have to find room in his suitcase for his Professor disguise.
You can remind yourself of it here.
It may prove impractical in the blazing heat of some of his ventures, but, that's the price you pay for anonymity.

The Digital World

I came across this article, 'Diving into the digital', by George Varga of 'The San Diego Union Tribune'.

It's an interesting read for us, particularly today, as I have been preparing a new CD, of Robin with his jazz quartet, to be released on CD Baby very soon. More details will follow shortly.

The article discusses the changing face of music distribution, for both the industry itself, and for musicians.
There has been such a change over the last few years that at times it's hard to keep up with it all.
Sites such as CD Baby, iTunes, YouTube, MySpace, and many others, have resulted in a lifestyle change for listeners, and for the artists.

Musicians can no longer rely on record companies to distribute their music, and have to nurture their fan base in a very different way.

The article has many interesting points and it's worth having a look, plus, there are a few thoughts from Sir Paul McCartney.

In some ways digital downloads make life easier for the musician, but, caution is required.
Radiohead's recent experience is rather frightening.
1 million fans ordered their new album in the 10 days prior to release, but paid nothing. Whilst 500 000 fans downloaded it for free from illegal sites, even though they could get it free from Radiohead's own site.
This is a disturbing situation.

Maybe this is a reflection of society.
Everyone wants something for nothing, but we should beware.
Musicians need to make a living.
If their music continues to be 'stolen' in this way, then how are they supposed to survive?

We have had this conversation with many people over the years. It's surprising how frequently people really don't think they are doing anything wrong.
When we have tried to explain, they often reply, "Well, I'm a student, I don't have much money", to which our response is, "Is that what you would say in a shop as you helped yourself to their wares?"

Whatever their reasoning, the general public need to realise that the music they listen to, is created by someone, who needs to pay the bills in just the same way that they do...

Russell Watson and Sir Paul McCartney

Robin has been hard at work all day and I have been out.
But we couldn't let the day pass without commenting on two very different situations.
The first, is the news that Russell Watson has had to endure brain surgery, a second time, for a recurring tumour.
At the time of writing, here, in a report by Veronica Schmidt, is the latest news.
It appears that Russell's condition has moved from 'critical' to 'stable', which is fantastic news.
If you want to watch a video of Russell and Robin, then you can do so, right here.
Be sure to think very positive thoughts, and hopefully, we will see Russell making a full and speedy recovery very soon.

On a much lighter note, did you see the fabulous concert last night?
This is a review worth reading by Helen Brown, 'Sir Paul McCartney rocks the Electric Proms.'
Oh how we wished we'd been there.
However, you can see some extracts, on the 'BBC electric proms' site.
Go and have a look.
It's worth it.

Flamenco Guitar - Manolo Sanlucar

The beauty of YouTube is that it provides the opportunity to find real gems which would probably have previously been lost.
Today we discovered some footage of Manolo Sanlucar, the incredible flamenco player.
The film is of a piece he composed himself, 'Fantasia para guitarra y orquesta', and shows flamenco playing at its best, with a brilliant display of picado runs from the middle to the end.
For those not familiar with the terminology of flamenco playing, 'picado' is the alternate use of the fingers, i and m, of the right hand.

Sanlucar's right hand appears incredibly relaxed and the whole performance seems completely effortless. It reminds me of Pepe Romero's famous quote "It's easy to play the guitar well but very difficult to play it badly."

Whilst this piece was recorded on the RCA label, it doesn't appear to be currently available, which is a real shame.
As there's limited information about the piece, we don't know who the orchestra are, although I suspect they are Spanish, nor if Sanlucar orchestrated the piece himself. If someone out there has any more details then do get in touch.

However this does highlight the importance of YouTube and similar sights. Without them we would not have had the opportunity to see and hear this exceptional playing.

Robin's son, 'Caruso' and Sir Thomas Beecham

Wow.
What can I say, other than there has been huge global interest in the, 'Robin Hill with Russell Watson' video, both here, and over on YouTube.

When this performance was first shown back in 2001, son number one, was only 3 years old. As you can imagine, we all settled down to watch, only to have the entire performance drowned out, by an over-excited child becoming hysterical...he was very embarrassed when I reminded him of this yesterday!

However, judging by the responses I've been getting, you all seem to be enjoying it. I certainly haven't been able to get it out of my mind since posting the video yesterday.
But, as the English conductor, Thomas Beecham, once said:

"Good music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and quits the memory with difficulty."

Thomas Beecham was another local chap, coming from St.Helens, Lancashire. So with Russell Watson from Salford and Robin from Huddersfield, the north of England is certainly doing its bit to promote music.

For any newcomers to the site, of which there are many from around the world, you may like to check out David Juritz's, 'Round the World and Bach', as he could be visiting a country near you soon.
He's in Lisbon today and returns briefly to the UK for a concert in Portsmouth Cathedral on Saturday, before setting off for Africa shortly.
Judging by the photographs on his site, he is still smiling, but, I'm sure by now he is beginning to feel a little tired, so if he's playing near you, go along and show some support.

Back here, well, we have plenty more for you to see coming up, so do keep checking in.

Robin Hill with Russell Watson

We found this video footage the other day of Robin performing on BBC1, back in 2001, with Russell Watson.

This came about as Robin had been performing on 'Friday Night is Music Night' for BBC Radio 2, and Russell was on the same show. Having heard him play, Russell then contacted us, to collaborate for the performance you can see today.
This was actually the first time that Robin and Russell played together, but they went on to perform on many other occasions, in venues such as, 'The Bridgewater Hall', 'St.David's Hall' Cardiff, 'NEC - Birmingham' and 'BBC Proms in the Park'.

Robin always enjoys performing with other musicians and these concerts were no exception.

This footage is Russell singing 'Caruso', by Dalla, accompanied by Robin on guitar, and some members of the string section of the 'BBC Philharmonic'.

The voice is a powerful instrument, and unfortunately, the sound of the guitar is sometimes low in the mix, but you can still hear what is going on, and there are some fine examples of the tremelo that we were discussing the other day.

Enjoy!

From 'All Quite at Sea' to Sgt.Pepper and the Short Stories to Vincent Van Gogh

All is very quite out in the Atlantic. I've been unable to speak to Robin since he set sail yesterday, and as yet, haven't received any e-mails. This is unusual as it is high priority for him to establish some contact with home. I can only assume, they are having some technical difficulties on board the QM2, which will be resolved soon.
So, for today, it's just you and me!

After my blog about the re-creation of tracks from the 'Sgt.Pepper' album, there was a huge increase in traffic to the site. Not surprising really, but I was very pleased to find that many new visitors, stayed on to have a good look around. So, hello to you all, and do keep checking in.

Related to The Beatles blog, BBC Radio 4, are running a series all week. Five writers, all with Liverpool connections, have each chosen a track from Sgt.Pepper, and used it as the inspiration to write a short story.
Yesterday was, 'Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite', by Heidi Thomas.
Today, at 3.30, is 'With a Little Help from My Friends', by the fabulous Alexei Sayle, Wednesday will be 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds', by Linda Grant, Thursday, 'A Day in the Life', by Jimmy Mulville, and finally on Friday, 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band', by Laurence Wilson.
Read more about it on the BBC 4 site, and follow the links to listen again for up to seven days.

I also discovered this YouTube video, via artsJournal, 'Did Van Gogh trace his self-portraits?'

From this post, a short time ago, you will realize we are big Van Gogh fans here.
Whatever the final verdict, as far as I'm concerned, the skill is in the painting, no matter how the outline got there.
It seems unlikely that photography was used, because as far as I was aware, only one photo of Vincent existed, and it's very frustratingly of the back of him, as he walks away. Is the photo in the video authentic? I'd love to hear if anyone knows differently.
The camera obscura may have been an option, but once again, that doesn't account for his skill with the paint.

Meanwhile, back home, I think I'll start looking into the possibility of carrier pigeons.

YouTube video - Robin Hill

Today I have decided to post Robin's YouTube video on the site. It gives me the opportunity to explain a little about each of the pieces, or rather extracts, that you hear, and for those interested in watching a guitarist at work, you can see what Robin is doing!
As the opening credits role, you can hear, 'Eternal Dance', this is the first movement of 'Concerto Latino' for guitar and orchestra. It features a driving 5/8 rhythm with some occasional 7/8. It begins with solo guitar and light timpani roll before the orchestra then state the theme. This piece was originally composed for Robin's quartet, 'Eklectica', but he then expanded it onto an orchestral canvas.

The first piece that you can watch as well as listen to, is 'Return to Islay'. This piece was inspired during a visit to this remote Hebridean island during a tour with Hill/Wiltschinsky.
Although Robin had never visited the island before he felt the place was strangely familiar, hence the title, 'Return to Islay'.

'Dolor de Muelas' has a freewheeling samba groove and contains much improvisation. As for the title, well, translated it means toothache...The piece was composed and recorded during a very violent bout of toothache. I wish I was so productive when I didn't feel well...

'Canarios' by Gasper Sanz dates from the mid 1600s and was originally for baroque guitar. As the title suggests this lively jig hails from the Canary Islands and many will know this theme from the last movement of Joaquin Rodrigo's, 'Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre' - composed for Andres Segovia in 1953.

With the closing credits you can hear, 'Arrival of the Queen of Sheba', which comes from the oratario, 'Solomon' by George Frideric Handel. It is eminently suited to performance on the guitar with it's rapid scales and arpeggios, the original dialogue between two oboes being replaced by guitar and recorder.

Over on YouTube many of the comments have been about Robin's technique, so here's an opportunity to observe him.