Stephen King
As soon as the powerful voice of Darlene Love pierced the stillness of this beautiful Worcestershire countryside as she belted out the openning bars of Jumpin Jack Flash, the audience was visibly moving about to the music.
When Roger Daltrey walked on stage to attempt a Mick Jagger on Street Fightin Man those members of the audience not yet standing were on their feet and the event had now generated something of a festival atmosphere. This however was rather short lived.
The beginning of the second half, as it started to get dark, the lights on the half moon stage were fully illuminated for Gary Brooker to play Conquistador and the classic Whiter Shade of Pale to good effect.
However, after that, apart from an outstanding version by Daltrey of his own Pinball Wizard there was little to get excited about.
The audience were clearly there to have fun and even when it began to rain the enthusiasm was not to be dampened and the proceedings were finally brought to a close with a spectacular firework display.
This had been an ambetious project, the profits going to struggling young musicians. The Heart Of England Orchestra had been hired, complete with choir, deisigned to support a front-lining traditional rock band and thereby provide an extra dimension to the sound.
While there were high spots they were few, and a symphony it was not.
It had been more a series of tributes played to outstanding 60s and 70s bands, which mostly failed to provide the excitement of the originals.
