Well done and thanks to Martin Dent, whose hard work brought
Banoffi to the Friendly Earth Acoustic Club last night. What a night! With a record audience packed into the Shed there was just enough room for the frenzied dancing that took place at the end of the night. Many thanks to all those in attendance, particularly the floorspotters.

The evening started of with Martin Dent's topical anthem of the moment, Human Races, followed by another self-penned song performed by Martin with his young nephew Richard, who was a mean picker for his years. Next we had local man Paul, with the classic 'Little Pot Stove' and an Ashley 'Tyger' Hutchings (the Guv'nor) number. Then Chesham's Tudor Folk Club's Hamish and Lorna got everyone joining in on a super number with sing-a-long chorus, that everyone picked up with ease. Hamish and Lorna then gave us their fantastic rendition of Steve Tilston's 'Slip Jigs and Reels', which also had everyone singing. The second half was started off with Terry 'Leadfingers' Silver with another chorus singing number and a lovely whistle tune. Then Piers Hobson performed one of his own and a Leon Rosselson (who you can see at the St. Albans Windward Folksong Club on March 21st) song.

Martin Dent introduced Banoffi's first set with an appalling joke, badly told (sorry Martin, it has to be said), but almost made up for it with a well received anecdote concerning banana and toffee combination desserts before Banoffi's second set. I thoroughly enjoyed Banoffi's 'Galata Bridge' album and was not disappointed by the live performance, excellent musicianship and superb traditional (British Isles and European) and self-penned tunes. They also did some great songs, including 'Krisztina', my favourite from the 'Galata Bridge' album, and 'Bluebells', Martin Dent's favourite which he made clear by asking them to perform it twice. Banoffi consist of David Moss (singer, bouzouki and fiddle), Ian Hulme (flute, whistles, bodhran and doumbek) and Tim Downie (guitar). Club regulars and new audience members all thought Banoffi were excellent and several showed their enjoyment by shaking their funky stuff (dancing) on the final set of tunes. I got a copy of their new album 'Living by Stories' which I am very much looking forward to playing. What a brilliant night!

Future Friendly Earth Acoustic Club Guests include prodigiously talented local youth supergroup Bizzarity (19/03), Luton celtic singer-songwriter Graham Robins (16/4), The Woodmen (Hertsmere Acoustic Music Club stalwarts) and Kai (which apparently involves some kind of giant glockenspiel)(21/5). After the summer break we have Liz Simcock (from the St. Neots area)(22/10) and Robb Johnson (19/11) who I've never heard of...honest).