South London Folk Blog

Its my open mic at the Nelson Arms tonight - must be about 4 years now I’ve been running this - I ought to work out when exactly it all started and have a party!!! Anyway tonight is gonna be great with Andy Sharrocks and slide guitarist Huskie Jack heading down down. See them tonight before they hit the even bigger big time!!!! when Andy will be headlining the Leicester Square Theatre - May 18th with the Smokin’ Jackets.

So come on down - grab a shaker grab a partner grab a beer and listen to the music the sweet sweet music.

Over twenty years ago I met Billy Franks in a pub in Hammersmith. I can’t remember its name - it was up the road from the Riverside Studios. Billy was lead singer with the Faith Brothers and on that night they were perhaps the greatest rock band in the world. Last night in the Troubadour club in Earls Court I played harmonica for Billy on two of his songs and a couple of covers - it was a blast.

Now as you walk down life’s highways and byways you meet all sorts of folks and I am always amazed at the secret talents that are often hidden underneath russian, cowboy or wooley hat. You really never can tell. So as the weekend approaches and you think about what to do - make sure you watch this brilliant little film from two friends of mine who when you meet them out in the street will be wearing one of their various hats. Film maker, arranger, singer, songwriter, candlestick maker so many hats!!! Say hello to Steampunk Tree Snow.

As the snow melts and the combat boot are returned to the garage take a moment to reflect on the weeks and months ahead.

Just before Christmas I had the pleasure of performing a few songs on the ‘Shed Shaker’ internet radio show run by the guys at PapaJ - Keiron and David. I’ve also just found a photo of me in the legendary ’shed’ or was it living room. Check out the radio show - its every Wednesday at 9:00 - go to their web site and have a listen. The guys promote local and unsigned bands so you’ll hear lots a good original music - you can even take part in the online chat room!

Lets hope it is a Happy New Year and that the pointy boots - newly sprayed dark grey do not peel in the cold and frosty London air. But if they do I’ll just spray them again - possibly dark brown and create an urban camoflague for the pointy booted man about town.

Today I think is made for shopping and for practicing bottle neck south london folk.