From THE TELEGRAPH:
Canterbury Cathedral is to host its first-ever rock concert this Christmas. The 900-year-old building, one of the most important sites in Britain’s Christian heritage, will echo to the sounds of Ian Anderson, the frontman with Jethro Tull.
Speakers will be set up down the Gothic nave, not far from where St Thomas Becket, the “turbulent priest” who fell out with Henry II, was murdered in 1170.
As many as 1,000 tickets are being put on sale for the one-off concert, as part of a conservation campaign that needs to raise up to £50 million.
THE BLOODY CHURCH OF ENGLAND
IN CHAINS OF HISTORY,
REQUESTS YOUR EARTHLY PRESENCE
AT THE VICARAGE FOR TEA
COMMENT: Of course, I have no problem with Ian Anderson playing a gig in Canterbury Cathedral. However, I am a bit worried about his choice of instrument.
Are there no memorable classic rock solos played upon a flute?
I’m confident he’ll manage the flue really well, he’s very adaptable.
Oh yes David. Look up Jethro tull on Youtube in addition to the piece of work available here.
What worries me is if he attempts to play the flue whilst standing on one leg he will be in very serious danger of toppling over. With the cut backs on everything except bishops’ expenses I fear the chapter will not be insured against such an accident.
Dah·veed, I suggest you check out this useful list:
http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Songs-with-Flute/lm/1OWS9JF1PGTRI
I thought your point was that flues were the province of chimney sweeps rather than musicians?
Exactly, Dean. And how many chimney sweeps do you see standing on one leg?
I am looking forward to it. My Parish is in Canterbury, so access to concerts and music performance at the Cathedral are a feature of life.
But will you get a discount on the tickets? I think paid up members should – it’s only fair.
Oh, I do wish this lot would get their priorities straight! Is no one else shocked that the concert, scheduled for 18th December, is reportedly “this Christmas?”
Aqualung my friend, don’t you start away uneasy, you poor old sod, you see it’s only me….
I think that the rad flute solo that I have banging around in my brain was in something by Eric Burden and the Animals, or was it War. Alexa was the rock fanatic. She subjected me to rock unmercifully at a very tender age.
I think you might be thinking of “Low Rider” by War.
Playing the flue is fine so long as one doesn’t inhale.
Thick as a Canterbury Brick!
Poor Rowan’s been inhaling since age 14 ….