Nice, and i nearly went for it, but 2 tracks doesn't seem a lot. Am i being mean ?

When was Keith in the band, Robert?

After reading all the reviews of the Ashley Hutchings birthday bash, I’ve been listening to the Guv’nor series, followed by the Free Reed set, and at the moment the very fine ‘Captured’ by The Albion Band. Shame that the short lived lineup with Keith Hinchcliffe never did an album. One more of those great guitarists Ashley has worked with

Thanks David!  

New release from the ever excellent Owl Service is a tribute to Sandy...get in quick if you want the cd-r

https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/a-tribute-to-sandy-denny

This just came up on FB posted by https://www.facebook.com/WoodstockElders1969 There's a photo if you want to see what his kit looks like.

"For this tour – Zak has arranged an all-electronic drum kit. It LOOKS normal, as it’s a custom-build gold DW drum set. But if you look closely at photos from rehearsals or our other shows, it has black drum heads and black cymbals. Black and gold – a cool look! – but these are actually Roland V-drums and cymbals triggering a set of acoustic drum samples. The sound is fairly accurate – it has dynamics and he can play different parts of the cymbal and get different sounds, just like “real ones.” In our case, we gained a few MAJOR things: controllable volume – we can have his levels adjusted for each other person (like Roger’s in-ear monitors, and Pete’s floor “wedge” speakers.) In addition – no microphones, so our sound guys have a lot less to set up and worry about. Also – no Plexiglas/Perspex. Zak is clearly seen and can talk back/forth to people without needing a microphone.

Yes, it’s still different to a real drum set. We now have some benefits, like consistency, control of the sound, and less drum tuning and changing of heads. Zak’s drum technician (Laurie Jenkins) has designed and implemented the setup, and is doing a major job keeping it all working and sounding good. I doubt most people would ever realize these are not “real” drums during a concert, it’s not that obvious. Were we not on an orchestral tour, I have no doubt they’ll go back to the acoustic drum set. It’s nice to be able to take advantage of recent improvements in technology, while keeping a firm foot in what’s good about the past."

Now that I've listened to much of the gig   all credit must go to Guy Fletcher for such excellent drumming throughout!

Very likely. How much did he actually play at that gig?

I've had a copy of James J Turner's new single Beltane Fires both through the post and via Dropbox so he kicks off this week's show. Also on the playlist are...

Fairground Attraction, Fay Hield, John Renbourn, Steve Knightley, Charlotte Carrivick, Ringo Starr, Pete Townshend and Raphael Rudd, I'm With Her, The Low Countries, The Jellyman's Daughter, David Ferrard, Tim O'Brien, M.G. Boulter, Larkin Poe and Errol Linton

Tune in at 1pm or 8pm on https://www.internet-radio.com/station/gingerfeatherfm/

Another FolkScape online gig last night, namely the Gigspanner Big Band who were at The Met in Bury.

A friend who had seen them the night before in Kendal came round and enjoyed the online gig much more as the sound had been awful at the Brewery Arts Centre. He said the percussion was way too high in the mix and he (and others) could hardly make out what Hannah was singing.

Shame, as they sounded very good from Bury last night. Peter is still a stunning fiddle player and his duetting with Hannah was just lovely. Only minor quibble was that John Spiers was a bit lost in the mix in the first half but I'll certainly be playing a track or two from their new album on my next radio show.