The opposite.  It's been stated he's retired from live performance and this is a tour of Eliza with guests doing Martin's material.  But what I was told seemed to imply that he would be present.  All will be revealed, I guess....

Wish i had your  certainty Jules.

I'm already tring to talk myself out of buying a couple of RSD  items on my shortlist.  

I’m a bit confused by the double negative. Do you mean that you think that Martin won’t be there?

Same. I'm mildly interested in the Todd Rundgren, the Pink Floyd, and The Doors releases, but I won't be buying any of them.

Jules

Probably the first time I've ever been 'on message'.  I'm very 2026 at last....

Just caught up with the interview on R4 Front Row.

So sad, it"s happening to him and he knows it is . He's totally on topic then dries up and forgets his thread.  Eliza was with him to offer gentle, appropriate prompts.

A belated Xmas present from MrsB was a trip over to Gateshead to see the Transatlantic Sessions at the Glasshouse, formerly the Sage.

The house band included McGoldrick, McCusker and Doyle plus the ever present Aly Bain, Donald Shaw and James Mackintosh with Jerry Douglas doing the between-songs patter and adding his fine dobro playing. The younger generation was represented by bluegrass duo Tatiana Hargreaves & Allison de Groot. Their album Hurricane Clarice is well worth a listen if banjo and fiddle music is your bag.

Of the guest singers Karine Polwart was the best of the bunch and there was a lovely tribute to Danny Thompson written (I think) by Michael McGoldrick and featured new double bass player Daniel Kimbro. Whether it was by accident or design that they got another bass player called Danny I don't know, but Mr Kimbro is certainly a worthy replacement and has a nice sense of humour as we discovered when he got to sing a song with a borrowed guitar.

Think we discussed this before David.  You seem to speak from profound disappointment.

It was also my first Cropredy and we enjoyed him, but we were a bit giddy with it all!!  

I’ve seen him twice since and enjoyed him but I doubt I’ll go to see him again.

First gig of the year last Saturday was the incredible Barsteward Sons of Val Doonican. More Val offspring have been discovered and they are now a 5-piece.

What an evening! No wonder they are selling out   energy, superb musician-&-wordship, hilarious. What a night!

I've just returned my ticket to Cecil Sharp House as I can no longer make it.  From what was said to me, I'm not entirely convinced that Martin won't actually be present...