Music: Janet shows Cali girls are unforgettable

TAUGHT by Randy Rhoades, working with Fleetwood Mac’s leader, championed by a US radio legend... It’s fair to say that you would struggle to find many people with a finer musical pedigree than that Janet Robin.

The southern California native’s musical education began the moment she met her legendary guitar teacher Randy Rhoads - the sometime Ozzy Osbourne sideman.

She then began writing her own music and was speedily discovered by Rodney Bingenheimer of the legendary LA rock radio station KROQ and signed to Polygram Records.

Her band Precious Metal released several albums, written with Heart, Poison and Cheap Trick, toured extensively, and gained accolades from both fans and critics alike.

After they split, Janet joined Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham’s band in support of his 1992 solo album Out Of The Cradle.

And she has since continued to tour heavily and averages as many as 150 dates per year, along with her collaborations with the likes of Meredith Brooks, Melissa Etheridge, Maia Sharp, Marcella Detroit , Eric Clapton, and Anne McCue.

Encouraged by the warm reception of her debut, Robin has released four albums on including the acoustic After The Flood which was recorded in Laurel Canyon and features Beautiful Freak which has since become a fan favourite and one of Robins’ defining songs.

However, you need not base their judgment on Robin solely on those with whom she has been associated.

Only a listen to her albums or a ticket to one of her shows will prove the opening claim to be true.

For what underlies the Janet Robin labels of guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and road warrior is a single word: musician.

Janet Robin will play at the Ent Shed, in Castle Road on Friday, March 4.

Tickets for what is sure to be an excellent show cost £5 on the door, see you there.

THE Rhythm Festival is fast approaching and we simply cannot wait.

For the first time the event will be will be held in the breathtakingly beautiful parkland of Mansion House, Old Warden Park, near Biggleswade over the Bank Holiday Weekend of August 26-28.

And there are a whole host of exciting acts to look forward to not least the legendary Blockheads, The Oysterband, Steve Cropper and The Animals and Sandi Thom.

Rhythm Festival organiser Jim Driver said: “I aim to make Rhythm Festival 2011 the best yet.

“I look forward to welcoming friends old and new to Old Warden Park over the Bank Holiday Weekend of Friday August 26 to Sunday August 28th, 2011.”

To find out more about this exciting summer event visit www.rhythmfestival.com

WHETHER you are a professor of music or couldn’t tell a string quartet from a string vest, Rainer Hersch’s Classic Comedy Orchestra is a guaranteed laugh every four bars.

From the William Tell Overture to Land of Hope and Glory, nothing is safe in this hilarious musical night out.

Hosted by Radio 4 star Rainer Hersch these demented musicians have been a hit at the Edinburgh Festival and theatres across Europe.

The perfect cocktail of comedy and classical music, Rainer Hersch’s Classic Comedy Orchestra will send you home with a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

The Classic Comedy Orchestra will play at The Stables, in Wavendon on Saturday, March 5.

Tickets cost £16 each.

To find out more about the orchestra and other events and to book visit www.stables.org

Related topics: