N'Faly Kouyate in Stroud last night. Playing his new album Finishing in full, albeit not in the same order as on the CD.

No Afro Celt material, but I did buy a copy of their latest (last?) CD OVA.

N'Faly and band very happy to sign stuff and chat.

Big shout to support band Echo Town. 2 brothers originally from Yorkshire now based in Cornwall. Multi-instrumentalist
and vocals, drums and vocals. Would be even better for/at a standing gig or outdoor event

Good - I've certainly often wanted him to...

I saw Steve Knightley and the Winter Yard Band at the Empire in Coventry last week. He'd made a few pleas on Facebook for more ticket sales, which must have worked as it seemed fairly full in the end.

And it was amazing. The band are fantastic and the support act, True Foxes, were also very good indeed. They sang on the last record SK did so came on and sang with the band.

Steve is also a fellow Coventry Polyversity graduate and setup his first folk club in the city!

I used to see Show of Hands regularly with a group of friends, so sort of drifted away a bit (Kids came along, time and money for gigs was scarce! I wasn't too keen on the last few LPs they did. After Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed I felt it was all getting a bit to same-y).

This lineup, featuring electric guitar, really works well. I've always thought SK wanted to rock out a bit.

To be honest i don't much mind missing this one. And the others look just a bit too niche for me.

Snooze you lose thing sadly...that went in days

I bought the vinyl reissue not long ago.  It sounds good, which not all of the Fairport/ Sandy reissues from Island/universal do.  A **** shoot,  as our American cousins would call it.

Limited vinyl things are something often go for, but unfortunately  the Owl Service one  here is sold out.
Never mind, i ordered the  Sandy tribute 7"

New tour starts tonight. I will be going along to Bristol and Frome. Good to see Steeleye/Mady have appeared in a few publications recently, including RnR, Beat Magazine, Record Collector and Sunday Express (a few weeks ago). Park Records actually doing some good PR!
Tickets seem to be selling well.

Long may Maddy/Steeleye continue!

What a night.  We were second row and I was in the firing line of Richard's amp.  Made up for being to clump around London all day on crutches from a recently unplastered broken ankle!!

Steven's got a Crowdfunder for the next album and for '26 activities.

Some great options out there (including their entire live archive on a USB), a song of your choice, or a house concert.  Buy, buy, buy...use it or lose it etc.etc.etc.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-owl-service-album-fundraiser