2009

Here And Now 2009

Here And Now in Ireland 2009

02/01/2009 Royal Castlebar, Co Mayo, Ireland

03/01/2009 INEC Arena, Killarney, Co Kerry, Ireland

Here And Now in Switzerland 2009

13/03/2009 AG Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland

Carol in Zurich 

Don't they look happy.  Carol and husband Richard in Zurich 2009.

Here And Now in Germany 2009

14/03/2009 Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany

Here And Now at Newmarket Racecourse 2009

19/06/2009 Newmarket Racecourse

Here And Now at The Quarry Shrewsbury 2009

11/07/2009 The Quarry

The Rewind Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Temple Island Meadows, Remenham, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire England.  It was first held in August 2009.

Rewind showcases bands and solo artists that had success in the 1980's and as such is also known as the 80's Rewind Festival.  As well as music, in 2009 the site also featured a funfair, street entertainment and artists from the comedy store.

The festival is run by The Rival Orginisation and Into The Groove, and was started after the success of one off 80's retro shows of previous years.

Rewind Festival 2009

The initial edition took place on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd August 2009.

The following  is local radio station BFBS Radio interviewing some of the artists, including Carol, and showing clips of them on stage.  In Carol's case, "Valentine" and "Heart And Soul" were shown.  Carol is in part three of the following.

It was the biggest gathering of 80's artists since "Live Aid", 30 acts performing to an estimated audience of 30,000!!  The good news for Carol is that it took place on her doorstep!!

It was a huge success and as you can probably tell, and something told me this was more than a one-off occurance!!

Here is Carol singing "Heart And Soul".

We Will Remember Them

"Top Of The Poppies"

On 8th November 2009, a single was to be released for the charity "Help for Heroes".

A platoon of music stars recorded a moving tribute song to raise money for wounded troops. 

Bee Gee legend Robin Gibb and crooner Michael Bolton headed a recording session at London's Abbey Road studios.

They were joined by stars including soul singer Mica Paris, former Free and Queen frontman Paul Rodgers and Lee Mead who won TV's Any Dream Will Do.

Army drummers, pipers and other musicians also performed on the song "We Will Remember Them" which will be released for download on Remembrance Sunday.

All the cash raised will go to "Help For Heroes" and the Royal British Legion.  Gibb, 59, said "The sacrifices our troops make are extraordinary.

"This song can help raise awareness of what they do.  British troops don't get the respect they deserve.  They do a tremendous job but should receive more support, like they do in America."

The song, written by Whitesnake's Robert Hart and A1 star Mark Read, features the lines "Can't put faces to the names, In gardens made of stone, They went away as strangers, But they never died alone."

The chorus runs : "We will remember them, Give thanks and honour them, For our tomorrow, They gave their today."  West End star Mead said "I'm honoured to take part.  Let's raise lots of cash and get to number 1."

Proud...Military band at Abbey Road studio

Ex-Atomic Kittens Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon, T'Pau singer Carol Decker, Squeeze keyboard player Paul Carrack and Small Faces drummer Kenny Jones also sang.

Michael, who has British ancestors, and whose daughter served in the American Air Force, said: "I never miss an opportunity to thank our troops.  They are the bravest people you will ever meet."

Carol, whose brother-in-law fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, said "Our soldiers should get more respect from the Government.  This song helps us understand that soldiers are individuals, not collateral damage."

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra also performed.

"We Will Remember Them" was available to download on iTunes on November 8th 2009, Remembrance Sunday and was available in the shops the following day. 

Here is a documentary of the making of the song :

Here is the official video :

Driving Home For Christmas

This was a load of celebrities, including Carol, taking part in Chris Rea's 'Driving Home For Christmas'.  It was in aid of the charity Shelter.  The video looks as though it was great fun to make!!

Here is the link to download the video :

Created by Deano Hollett July 2012