Our friends Playing Rapunzel are presenting an evening of spooky songs in honour of Friday 13th on Friday 13th November at the Plough.

For those who haven’t seen them at the club Playing Rapunzel are Mich Sampson who mostly plays piano and Marilisa Valtazanou who plays a Roy Castle like variety of instruments. And they both have superb voices, too!

Like all the best outfits they’re hard to categorise but tend towards contemporary songs with a literary tinge, although they do lots of traditional stuff too.

They’re superb musicians and really good fun too with a lovely warm stage presence.

The gig kicks off at 8 (doors open 7:30) and admission is £6. You can buy advance tickets from http://www.playingrapunzel.com/gigs.html

Oh and I’ll be doing a support slot in the interval – I’ve got a new spooky song to try out as well!

It turns out that Time Out erroneously advertised Martin Simpson appearing at the club last night (Friday the 23rd).

Actually they said he was appearing at the Ram folk club at the Ploughs address when actually he was at the Ram in Claygate last night (http://www.theramclub.co.uk)

Obviously not much we could have done about that and the error was entirely Time Out’s but apologies to anyone who was inconvenienced or confused by the cock up.

As it happens I was at the Plough anyway doing the sound for a band called Spar Hornet (who were very good) so I was able to talk to the few people who did make a wasted journey.

To be honest my biggest concern is how few people did ask after the gig. Martin is as big a name in the folk scene and if an advert in Time Out can’t generate a crowd for him then what’s the point of Time Out? And if Time Out is no use then what the hell can we use to promote our shows when we don’t have an existing mailing list like the club has?

BTW Martin Simpson will be coming to pay us a visit on the 28th February 2010. Check the website for details as they become available.

We had a nice time at the session last night, and played some super tunes. Some you might like to try — Young Collins, the Reedsdale Hornpipe, Monck’s March, L’Inconnu de Limoise.

Everyone thought I should blog to mention that Liz, who’s previously been to our session (though it’s a bit far for her), was on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square last Friday, playing folk tunes on her concertina. She was supported by a side of morris dancers and a load of instrument playing reprobates, including me. You can see it all on the One and Other website.

The October session will be going ahead as usual tomorrow, October 13, at the Plough. We’ll get under way from 8pm, with easy tunes in the early part of the evening, leading on to more of a free for all later on. All acoustic instruments encouraged. Hope to see you there!