Report by Brain Damage's Bruce Tippen

A picture or four is found on the Cowdrey Park concert picture page - again thanks to Bruce.

Billed as "An Evening Of Beatles Music", this rainy (in fact, pouring with rain!) night at Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex, featured artists such as Ringo Starr, Roger Taylor, Mike Rutherford, Paul Carrack, Damon Hill (the ex-racing driver!) and others, alongside David Gilmour. Also spotted getting distinctly soggy were the likes of Joanna Lumley, and Polly Samson/Gilmour, with the latest addition to the Gilmour household. Indeed, the weather was so wet, Damon Hill joked part way through the night that "I can still perform in the wet!"

Arranged by a committee including the likes of an ex-Mrs Waters, Nick's wife, and other luminaries, this event was arranged for charity. Thus, the cheapest tickets, just granting entrance to the grounds, were £90. There was a full range of optional viewing possibilities, including marquees and picnic tables. Strictly for the well-healed though!

The main part of the show began at 9:20pm, after an earlier support band. It was not long before Mike Rutherford announced Mr Gilmour, who came on with Bob Geldof, to run through a medley of early Beatles songs. Playing a sandy-coloured Gibson, and with Geldof louder in the mix, disappointingly, David touched on classics such as Please Please Me, Love Me Do and I Want To Hold Your Hand.

After a twenty to thirty minute break, David returned for what seemed to be his main slot of the evening (the first half appearance seemingly a warm up). This time sporting a red and white Strat, David ran through Across The Universe (as covered a number of years ago by Roger), Revolution (a very much full length version), and a mid-period Beatles track that Bruce was not sure of...but which featured absolutely blistering guitar playing from DG and was the definite highlight of the evening (and was apparently a song called Long, Long, Long)! As the evening was wall-to-wall Beatles songs, Bruce found it hard to keep track of who played what!

Once he finished these songs, he disappeared not to be seen again for the rest of the night. Throughout the evening, he was relaxed and obviously enjoying himself. Furthermore, he was the only musician relaxing and messing around between songs - which confused most of the audience as everyone else bustled on and off stage!

The "house band" or backing musicians did a sterling job through the evening - and included the likes of Gary Wallis, Jon Carin, and someone who looked suspiciously like Guy Pratt...

A great evening was had by all - wall-to-wall classic Beatles songs - and superb performances. A shame it was not promoted more, as despite the high price tag, everyone present had a great time!