It’s been a busy few weeks here, first with ‘Shifting Sands’ at Richard Thompson’s Meltdown. This was the UK leg of a British Council project (see previous blog for more detail and a blog on the Kuwaiti leg of the trip). A collaboration between British and Arabic folk traditions. After a week’s intensive rehearsal we gave two performances in the Royal Festival Hall ballroom. Here’s guitarist Kamal Musallam’s video of the rehearsal period to give you a taste of what we were up to: Shifting Sands Part I

The following week I made another appearance at Meltdown, this time with my trio (Matt Ridley – Bass, Sam Nadel – Drums) playing tracks from Keepsakes and Here In The Ground. I was honoured to have Richard Thompson come down to say hello and give me a warm introduction.

After Meltdown I was straight into my role as Musical Director for an MA student production of ‘The Winter’s Tale’ at Central School of Speech and Drama (see previous blog). Another intensive but really rewarding period of rehearsals that threw up some interesting music and oppurtunities to hit things with hammers.

With the festival season now in full swing I’m gearing up for appearances at Cambridge at Sidmouth. Particularly excitied about performing at the Nic Jones Tribute gig on August 5th. Hope to see some of you there, and whatever you’re up to, have a great summer.

I’m excited to be back at Central School of Speech and Drama this month, my second stint working as Musical Director alongside Directors / Lecturers Ben Naylor and Nat Adlam for a production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’, the final piece for students on this year’s Classical Acting MA. Rehearsals have only just begun, and I’m already excitedly creating a mystical, fairy-tale musical landscape for the piece. So far off-kilter gypsy jazz, kazoo-led circus music and shapenote-style choral singing have all featured.  It’s going to be a mad one, and a lot of fun. The shows are at Central on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of July. For tickets and further info, click this.

I’m off to think up an appropriate soundtrack for a bear-goreing.

On stage at Central during last year's production of 'Much Ado About Nothing'

I’ve had a great time doing a couple of gigs this weekend. On Friday night I supported Jackie Oates at the Howard Assembly Rooms at Opera North In Leeds. Lovely venue with a high domed ceiling and a great acoustic sound. I met Jackie at the Folk Awards last month and it was great to hear her play with her band. Afterwards we all headed back to the City Inn Hotel for a couple of late drinks and a chat before bed.

Yesterday morning I headed over to Birmingham on the train to support Chris Wood at the Red Lion Folk Club. I’m a huge admirer of Chris’ writing and knew it was only a matter of time before our paths crossed at a gig. Somewhere between venues I managed to lose my capo, and Chris, after watching me frantically turning my rucksack upside down in the dressing room to find it and reassuring me by repeating the words ‘give it up mate, you’ve lost it, it’s gone’, lent me his for the duration of the gig. Cheers Chris!

I hoped that opening for Chris would mean playing to a listening audience, and I wasn’t disappointed. The concentration in the crowd during both our sets was almost palpable, a real treat to play to. Many thanks to Chris and Della who run the Red Lion and who generously fed, watered and housed me for the duration of my stay.