I used to have that live album of Downes and Beer. Paul commented, "Wasn't it awful?" when I saw him some time later. I don't think it was, but it definitely needed a bit of editing. I do not think they ever really got the essence of their live show down on record, but maybe that would be expecting too much. I am just very glad that I was there to see and hear it. I thought they were quite magical.

Downes & Beer were magical indeed. Paul Downes of course is so self-deprecating that he turned up at that last Downes & Beer gig with a whole three copies of his own latest solo CD and was then surprised when he sold them all.

I know that Phil Beer is planning on including some Downes & Beer material in the 4 CD career-spanning box set he is currently putting together. The original plan was that was to go on sale to coincide with the solo tour he starts just after the SOH gig at the RAH next month. Whether he has kept to that timetable I know not, but I'm certainly looking forward to finding out what he has included when it does hit his merch desk.