The Electric Bluebirds - s/t. I was fortunate to get a cassette copy of this years ago, and a digital copy some years back.  Such a fun album! Features Alan Dunn, once of the RT Big Band.

Following it with another eminently danceable album - Johnny Clegg & Savuka Third World Child. I bought this on LP way back, and again digitised it more recently. Although Cherry Red are soon to release a 5CD set of his EMI albums which may well be worth investing in.

I'm going on Sunday night to see them at the Philharmonic in Liverpool. Never seen them live before, so really looking forward to it.

There’s a great interview with RT in this month’s Guitarist magazine in case anyone’s got £7.99 to spare.

I went to a workshop with DM and he talked about “…my good friend Kenny Aronoff, who is one of the…loudest drummers I know…”  

And Richard Thompson, replacing an injured DM in 1988.

Petunia and The Vipers trio - Live at the Cafe Montmartre

I saw the lead singer who calls himself Petunia at Durham on Saturday. Reminded me a bit of Pokey LaFarge. Same kind of 50s vibe though Petunia is more into Country music and did some fine yodelling.

Also just received a copy of Grainne Duffy's new release titled "What Am I Supposed to Do". Her backing band includes former Black Crowe Marc Ford and drummer Kenny Aronoff who I know from his time with John Mellencamp.

Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels, The Last Roundup (Bijou Cafe, Philadelphia, March 16, 1973).

This is a live CD restored from an old cassette tape that belonged to a member of the Fallen Angels and found its way into the hands of the owner of Amoeba Records and Gram's daughter. The drums and bass are poorly recorded, but the steel guitar and particularly the vocals are prominent and pleasing to the ear. Lead guitar is performed by Jock Bartley, who went on to form Firefall after Gram's untimely death.

It's a genuine pleasure to spend 80 minutes with Gram and Emmylou Harris, singing country covers (e.g., Merle Haggard's "California Cotton Fields," Flying Burrito Brothers ("My Uncle"), and The Byrds ("Drugstore Truck Drivin' Man"). They also cover the J. Geils Band ("Cry One More Time") and perform a rock and roll medley that includes "Boney Maronie" and "Hang On Sloopy." Great stuff, and it once again reminds me how much is lost when an artist of Gram Parsons' caliber exits the stage too early.

Upcoming gigs... Marillion, in about half a hour.

I'm in Aylesbury, enjoying the Waterside Theatre once again. It's quite the hotbed of prog. Will be back up to see Steve Hackett in a month or so.

Cheers

Nick

I saw Sam at Sidmouth with Nic in the audience. It was a brilliant concert. Would love to see it again.

I saw Sam doing his Nic Jones set on Saturday at the Durham Festival. We got a good set including three songs from Penguin Eggs and some chat about how he first approached the Jones family to see if they were okay with him performing the songs. And his nerve-racking gig at Sidmouth when Nic was in the audience.

Must admit I felt a bit emotional singing along to The Little Pot Stove. It is a wonderful song though.