Robin Hill’s ‘Eclectic City’ Episode 38
Hello, this is RH and welcome to episode 38 of ‘Eclectic City’.
The music you just heard was Pierre Petit’s incredible ‘Toccata’ for two guitars…played there by myself and Peter Wiltschinsky.
The Toccata was written in 1959 for the legendary, husband and wife duo of Ida Presti and Alexandre Lagoya. I first heard it played by them and
could not believe the fact I had never previously heard about this piece.
It was, in my opinion, a masterpiece. Why had no one else recorded it? Along with Petit’s ‘Tarantelle’, also for 2 guitars, I feel it is one of the most exciting and challenging and unique pieces for guitar duo. The string bending in the slow, bluesy section was our idea and was really fun to play! We had both had a very eclectic musical upbringing and were equally at home playing electric guitar in various bands….Pierre Petit was a music critic for Le Figaro, composed operas, concertos (including one for 2 guitars) and ballets and won the composer’s prestigious Prix de Rome in 1965. He didn’t play the guitar!
The next piece is a blues based on the tragic story of Johnny Ace, a rhythm and blues singer and pianist, whose real name was John Alexander. He died from a gunshot wound to the head on Christmas Day, 1954.
His band were playing a gig at the City Auditorium in Houston, Texas. In between sets he was playing around with a .32 calibre revolver, he’d been drinking heavily that night and one of his band members said, ’Be careful waving that thing around!’
Johnny gave a big, wide smile and replied, ‘Its OK, its not loaded!’
He put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger and that was the end of him!
It resembles ironically the tragic death of Terry Kath, the brilliant guitarist and singer with the band Chicago and he was Jimi Hendrix’s favourite player…he famously told Chicago trombone player, James Pankow, ‘Your guitarist is way better than me!’
Here is my tribute to Johnny Ace…this is ‘Johnny Ace’s Blues’…
Music: ‘Johnny Ace’s Blues’ performed by Robin Hill
That was ‘Johnny Ace’s Blues’ performed by myself…yes all the instruments…It was cheaper than hiring a band!
Well, we move from the blues, to a very famous folk song composed in 1784 Jean-Paul Martini.
This song has been recorded by many 20th century artists like Judy Collins, Nick Drake, Joan Baez, Nana Mouskouri, Mary Hopkins, the Seekers and Marianne Faithful. The melody of Elvis Presley’s 1961 hit, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ is also based on this melody.
Here, from my album with the fabulous soprano, Izzy Cooper, is my arrangement of ‘Plaisir d’Amour’.
Music: ‘Plaisir d’Amour’ performed by Robin Hill & Izzy Cooper
That was ‘Plaisir d’Amour’ composed by Jean-Paul Martini and performed by soprano, Izzy Cooper & myself.
I thought we would finish today with more blues. This is my track, ‘Illegal Download Blues’ which I recorded a few years ago. This features Sean Hodgson on bass, Frannie Haywood on drums and myself on everything else. There is a video of this song on Youtube which was shot up on the Lancashire moors.
I remember a passing walker being somewhat surprised in seeing me playing a Fender Strat up there. ‘Well,’she exclaimed , ‘I’ve seen some things up here but never an electric guitarist’
Thanks for listening and see you all next week.
Music: ‘Illegal Download Blues’ performed by Robin Hill