Went to see Sam last night at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds. Great venue, not been before, a Mr Kite benefit night (get it - being for the benefit of...) all proceeds to Poverty Aid UK. Show opened by Edwina Hayes a relatively local lass, but known to some of you in the states as she's a frequent visitor. Always a good name to see on a bill and she didn't disappoint this night either.

So, on comes Sam grinning like a good 'un. He talked and he talked and he played a note or two and we're in a song, then he talks some more and a running banter with his tour manager goes on as well, then we're in another song. He explains he's deaf on one side and quite deaf on the other so if we want certain songs we'll have to shout up and the gig progresses with various requests being made.

He did a half hour then mingled with the crowd then got up and did another hour or so in the same format. The gig consists of songs and Sam's highly amusing anecdotes mainly stemming from his hearing such as how he became a 'handsome trout' and his love of the more lightweight british press.

An evening with Sam is like an ongoing chat with someone who also plays some quite marvelous songs, the only time he becomes quiet is after Broken Fingers, when we can only imagine his memories.

Afterwards he's out and about again chatting and signing CDs, everyone he met left with a massive hand shake and hug and a thank you.

Please take this as my addition to the 'Why you like certain singer songwriters' thread.