Lunedì, 28 Giugno, 2004 | Posted by Detective Stevens at 07:19

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are a lot of people who believe that the Recoder is a fine instrument. One deserving of great praise.

Even the great George Frederic Handle wrote a Concerto for Recorder. I suppose that back in the 18 century there wasn't much else to do on a Saturday night.

Well, call me old fashioned but the recorder has been known to bring tears to my eyes. It has also known to turn my stomach and completely give me the shits. Go to any end of term school concert and there you'll hear it.

"Mums and dads, and carers", I was there to see my niece, so I suppose I fell into the latter category of the School Principal's introduction. "The opening number is that well known recent hit called sdiooppoiu."

"What, what did he say?" I had missed the name of the well known recent hit and I knew this was dangerous. I know a lot of well known recent hits. I just have no idea why you would want to play them on the Recorder.

"Greensleeves" is about it. Even then at a push. But throw a Brittany Spears or a Madonna at the instrument and you have an instrument of death. It becomes a WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction). Even a Barry Manilow number would sound worse than it already does.

Hey, just suck it in and get on with it. I was there to see Jemma. She was great. Maybe one day I could be bold enough to find someone who could help me raise a child as vibrant and vivacious as my niece.

I was also there to keep a close eye on Jesus who was there with Silvia to see Marie's school concert.

His gold tooth shone and sent reflections across the walls of the old church where the Concert was being held. When he smiled it lit up the room with its deadly glow. It also shone on Silvia, sitting next to him quietly, observing her daughter, proud of her use of the Recoder, playing that song that I hand't heard the name of and no one could tell me what it sounded like.

Silvia had the presence that you just couldn't hide. She would walk into the room and the lights shone that bit brighter. Your eyes met and it felt as if she knew you, as if she was communicating with you from across the room. As if she was looking into your soul. You had to look away for fear of what she might see.

The parents applauded furiously at the end of the song. So did I. It seemed that everyone was really pleased that the well know recent hit had finished and they were showing their appreciation.