Well as I type this in January, I’ve still only been to one gig. I was off to one tonight but that has just been postponed, so I thought I’d get myself prepared for February, which looks like it might be busy for me, let’s hope we’ve seen the back of the snow now. To also help you decided if you click on the artists underlined it will open a new window to their Myspace site so you can listen to some sample tracks

2nd The Stables Jon Allen makes a welcome return. He played there last year at Stage 2 solo, but now has progressed to the main stage and it looks like will full band. I really enjoyed his performance and had suggested they try and get him back if he tours with a band so check out his CD Dead Man’s Suit one of my favourites of 2009 or his Myspace link. Jumping to 5th I would really like to get over to Birmingham to see The Transatlantic Sessions, but the drive up there after work is a bit off putting for me, so keeping it local a trip to Bedford might be in order to see Gigspanner. Fronting the band is Steeleye Span stalwart Peter Knight, again another great performance at Stage 2 last year, so worth another listen. 6th and a few good shows to check out. If you’ve not got a ticket then The Stables 40th Birthday gig it’s a no go, it’s sold out. I would have liked to have gone to this but I have to be elsewhere that night. The line up has still not been confirmed but I hope it’s something special for this great little venue, maybe I’ll book my ticket now for their 50th. So you could either check out The Bittersweets return to Bedford or maybe the return of Diana Jones to Buckingham. Diana played her style of bluegrass to memorable effect last year at The Radcliffe and she will be hot from 2010’s Celtic Connections. Support for the night from locals Chris Corney and Katie Buckhaven.

Ok that’s February and March is looking busy too, I like it when there is a lot of music to go to, takes my mind off work! Who would believe as I type this there is 6 inches of snow outside and I’ll thinking about festivals already. Cheers for now

Dave

Sunday 7th and Steve Knightley and Jena Witt return to Hitchin Folk Club or I might try something completely different and a bit of Americana, blues, swing from The Wiyos, an unusual choice for East West Promotions. 8th and Yasmin Levy will be gracing the main stage at The Stables. In a major contrast on 10th local boy and ex Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden  will take to the same stage with his tribute to Rory Gallagher, followed on 11th with Fairport Convention. This stage is filling up a bit now as Stackridge will then move in on 12th. Alternatively you might like to try out Imogen Heap at The Junction in Cambridge, have a listen on Myspace to decided which ones for you. 13th Yvonne Lyons and Gentry Morris sounds an interesting combination for The Stables Stage 2 and well worth the asking fee.

Sunday 14th and it’s great to see Beth Nielsen Chapman back on these shores. She has often played The Stables in the past but this time around she’s at St Albans Arena, there is also a strong line up at Hitchin Folk Club this night with Amy Wadge and support from Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts. 15th and a first chance to see Jonatha Brooke, this time solo at Junction 2 in Cambridge. 18th and if you like your music really heavy and guitar laden then it’s off to The Stables for Isla St Clair in Stage 2 while on the main stage it’s Jennifer Batten . . . I think that’s the right way around ;-) Friday 19th and Barbara Dickson makes her yearly visit to The Stables and it will probably sell out again, I have to admit I’ve never seen her live, maybe next year. 20th Swing Out Sister are again at The Stables or a Milton Keynes based group Milton Keynes Solstice play a bit of Prog-Rock at the much under used Court Theatre in Tring.

Sunday 21st and a fair bit to choose from. Hitchin Folk Club have Edwina Hayes with female duo Ember on support. Fairport Convention make their way to St Albans Arena but I will probably be over at The Stables for the second outing of Jonatha Brooke but this time with a Band. 23rd at Junction One in Cambridge, husband and wife team Toyah and Robert Fripp play under the name of The Humans, I’m not really sure what this is about so it might be best to check them out first. 24th and Karnataka, another prog-rock group are at The Stables. 26th and the only place to be on that night is Tingewick Village Hall, no not a WI meeting but a welcome return of Richmond Fontaine with support from Peter Bruntnell. This will probably end up being a standing gig and also sell out so best get your tickets soon. 28th and the last day of the month, in the absense of anything of note (for me) at Hitchin Folk Club I will check out The Whybirds at The Shed in Bedford, though at the time of writing I’m not sure who’s organising this one, probably tickets on the door though.

A lovely song by Jonatha Brooke and an amazing all CGI animation