shit! I pressed something and it went up! when I didn't intend it to - perhaps that's gods way of telling me I'm talking shite.

Anyway - go and see him. I imagine the traditionalists will be most impressed with the long ballads and they are impressive . the accompaniments are thoughtful and sensitive. personally I have difficulty in geting to grips with them (Sir foodrage a sounds like a manic weightwatcher - can't get past that!) - but what Brian does, takes guts and commitment and talent. I doubt if you'll hear them done better.

the club itself was a new experience for me. several of the faces, I don't think I had seen since Sid Pritchett kept the trad folk haven at the Co-op. It was reassurng to know they were still alive. very few instrumentalists. they were unaccompanied. And I suppose they suffered a bit, cos with Brian you saw exactly how it should be done - the commitment, the expressiveness, etc. this is a kind of music - a bit like blues, that will take all your experience and then some!

i was sort of expecting a lot of irish people. they book a fair few Irish guests, and the sprtsman was a hell of an Irish pub, when I was gigging Irish pubs - just round the corner. there must be a lot of Irish in Long eaton, bt I didn't see any at the club not floorsinging anyway!

I hope I have written some fair comments, and it doesn't upset anyone. it will teach you not to solicit an opinion from an ignoramus like myself.

al