From Banff to Martletwy

Its been a while, sorry. Played two cool shows in wild Wales. Caernarfon was a great night and so good to be playing in the Northern bit of Wales. The drive up there and back down to Pembrokeshire, for the second show in Martletwy, was a vivid reminder of how beautiful a land Wales is. That can be forgotten by City dwellers that think that big buildings and stadiums are our trophies. There are greater prizes available to the eyes out on lonesome hillsides and in mountain streams. I was touched by it all and felt shameful that I had forgotten Her face as I bypass it all on motorways.Martletwy was a riot and a great way to end a long run of dates. An old chapel, built in 1813, and restored by a local community. When I first walked in I wasn’t sure but those folks sure know how to have a good time. I did nearly have a heart attack though when I went into my, ahem, dressing room..kind of a shed add on at the back to find a life-size doll of woman dressed as a Nun. Definitely on my rider from now on! Pre gig tea across the road in the farm house was the best. in January we started this run of dates in Banff Alberta, Canada at the Magaret Greenham Theatre, and so we finish in April, in a chapel in Pembrokeshire Wales..very cool and quite right. Sunday was the big Show Of Hands bash at the Albert Hall, London. I have played there in different guises about a dozen times now but this was my favourite. Was very proud of Steve and Phil and pleased for them that it was such a great occasion. It was good to re-unite with Tom for a bit of FFA too. I think the three of us had forgotten how good that project was. Getting geared up to start recording now and my head is down and writing. I was hopping to be playing a lot more festivals in the UK this summer, especially as we turned down a lot in Canada/USA in order to free up the time. It’s quite hard to break into that (folk fest) scene here, but maybe I need to make an album that opens those doors. Some days though, and after 27 years, I get tired of pushing them.