I enjoyed Ali or Aly (I don't don't know which is the written abbreviation of Alistair) when he was ploughing round folk clubs with Mike Whellans many moons ago. I love people like Ali who have, done the little clubs ,and at the same time increasing their knowledge and expertise as they went along to becoming a virtuoso, certainly in the world of Folk. (I would respectfully add Mr.Swarbrick to Folk's Fiddle vituosos.)
Lovely bloke whenever anyone met him in the early days an I hope he hasn't changed a bit - at least he hadn't with Boys of the Lough.
Anyhow - I only started typing to mention that Boys of the Lough wasn't his first introduction to Folk audiences.
Good Luck with the Tour.
Betsy