Richard Thompson at the Anvil, Basingstoke

Some trauma getting there. Just as I was on the train to Ash, my mate Mike Whittall whom I hadn't seen in ages texted me to say he'd meet me in the Squirrel. However I'd already asked Simon and Jane for a lift to the Anvil from Ash, where they live.
I'd told Simon that I wanted to be picked up either at Ash station or the Dovers Arms. So I texted back to say 'meet me in the Dover's instead' which he duly did. But then I hadn't realised that while Simon was picking me up from the station, Helen was driving us all from Simon and Jane's house! So in the end I had about 2 minutes in the pub with Mike and his work colleague before dashing out to meet a rather annoyed Simon.
Then, just as we were heading up past Frimley, Jane realised she'd left the tickets at home, so we had to drive all the way back. Helen seemed more annoyed with Simon though, for being so unhelpful!
Whilst Other Val and Bill Badger were in the Cricketers, Simon, Jane and myself found our seats and listened to the support act, Jeb. He played blues, it was a bit samey but OK, not as awful as some support acts can be.
We met Bill and Other Val, then shuffled in for Richard Thompson at 8pm, and he played right through to 11pm - great!
Richard has an amazing stage presence - you can tell straight away that he's a superstar. And his playing! Astounding! I'd love to see a guitar-off between him and Martin Simpson. The songs he'd written were all top quality. He played Vincent Black Lightning and Beeswing which are amongst my favourites of his. Didn't like the jazzy stuff so much, but as least I could watch his skilled fingers on the guitar. The double-bassist he had accompanying him (also called Thompson!) was very good as well.
A great night out, well worth £19.50!!

Last Night's Fun at Electric Theatre, Guildford

Bill Badger and I had seen Last Night's Fun at Fareham and Gosport Folk Festival before, but he wasn't that keen on them, although I thought they were a hoot. So I persuaded him to get 2 tickets for the gig, and was glad I did.
A few years ago Last Night's Fun just did jigs and reels, they were really an Irish pub session band, except better musicians than most. Now they do a balance of songs and Irish dance music, with ample opportunity to show off Denny Bartley's and Nick Scott's undoubted talent, as well as Chris Sherburn's dry Yorkshire humour! So Hubby enjoyed himself after all. Chris is rather easy on the eye as well, I have to say ;-)
Denny's slowed-down ballad version of 'Whisky in the Jar' was masterful, but Nick Scott did a breathtaking solo on the Uillean pipes, which was the highlight of the evening for me.
Cheered me up on a dark Winter's day!

Boo Hewerdine at West End Centre, Aldershot

Kev and I went to see Boo Hewerdine (ex The Bible and collaborator with Eddi Reader and kd lang, amongst others) by bike and train - brr chilly!
It's debatable as to whether Boo's music is folk or blues, but I'd say don't worry about labels - just go and enjoy. He is a genius at acoustic guitar, a pleasure to listen to. Songs of his that I recognised were 'Bell, Book and Candle' (apparently featured on Emmerdale) and 'Try The Patience Of Angels'. Boo is pretty successful - it's great that he still plays at little places like the West End Centre. His stage banter is very entertaining as well, he's got a very dry sense of humour and is pretty good at one-liners. Didn't fancy winning a CD by dancing to his danciest song though, and nobody else did!

Tom Robinson's Castaway Party, Clapham

Always good fun, the Castaway parties. Tom started doing these free concerts as a thankyou to his fans, but now since he's become a Radio 6 DJ these are the only concerts he does. He often invites old friends such as Raphael Doyle to join in his music, also Tom invites young, relatively unknown artists that he likes to showcase their talents. Some of these I also like!! This year there weren't any guest acts I disliked, and I really enjoyed Tom Robinson Band as well. Guests included Chris T-T who had an excellent song/poem about the Countryside Commission (not very complimentary ;-) ), Stoney (a rock band from Sheffield) and the lovely Lee Griffiths, who is a bit of a regular.
Other Val travelled down with us, and joined us for Sunday Lunch in the Priory Arms, Stockwell before the Party and for drinkees at the White Horse (Sloany Pony?!), Parsons Green afterwards. Met Magnus and June from CAMRA there, as well as regular attendees Len and Sue, who are also big Bluehorses fans.
Bill Badger took lots of photos, although we couldn't find anyone famous to pose with the News and Ale. I'll put them in the gallery when he gets around to downloading them ;-)

Tabbush Sisters at Cranleigh

Went to see the Tabbush Sisters at Cranleigh Arts Centre, since Anna sold the gig to us so well (not too heavily, mind you!). I don't normally like unaccopmanied a capella type singing but the Tabbush Sisters (Anna, Freya and Nonny) did far more interesting songs than most, and sang rounds etc rather than non-stop barbershop type stuff. They sang everything from Elvis to Cyril Tawney to Tracy Chapman, with a few of their parent's (Carolyn Robson and Paul Tabbush's) favourite trad. folk songs as well. Didn't think Anna looked like her sisters, but Freya and Nonny (Veronica) were very much alike. Anna refused to say how old they were, only that they had a combined age of 70. A lot of people from my choir (and Anna's other choirs and Freya's choir!) were there - Nonny may have to give in and start one in Cardiff, she said!
After the gig, met up with Darren Beech who happens to be a good friend of Nick Burbridge. I hope Darren can persuade McDermott's 2 Hours to come to Farnham Maltings, that would be ace! Also put in a good word for the fellas with Laurence of Electric Voices (as did Darren).
Very good concert - I just hope Anna is not going to teach us any of her more difficult songs!

Ceilidh at Godalming

Bill and I decided to see the New Year in with a ceilidh, rather than our usual fancy-dress evening down at the Prince of Wales. The band was Bursledon Village Band, who were very good, and had made lots of effort with sparkly waistcoats, flashing hats, Bridge Violin etc! We could bring our own booze, which worked out much cheaper, and there was a nice buffet in one of the back rooms. The time flew with something to do, other than sit in the pub drinking beer.
The caller was not as good as one's we've previously experienced - he seemed rather too serious, and missed the midnight moment because he was determined to teach us 2 more dances. Somehow did my back in, not used to being pushed around on the dance floor I guess. Still, we had a great time and met some nice people.