Update - Oct/Nov 2011 - October 27, 2011
I’ve just returned from the longest tour I’ve ever done: 8 weeks in the USA, taking in the whole country in a great big circle that started and finished in Austin, Texas, via 37 of the 50 states.
What was nice this time round was the opportunity to perform in so many different settings. For example, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, I did a televised midday concert and then went round to various patient areas as part of their Music at the Bedside programme; and straight after that I did a four-day run of shows in Lincoln, Nebraska, that included an outdoor concert in a park that closed out their season and was attended by over 350 people, plus a visit with 120 nine- and ten-year-olds in a local school. I told them a bit about myself and did a couple of songs for them to sing along to, and for the rest of the hour they just bombarded me with questions – which included a query as to whether there were any kiwi birds in Cornwall!
Another new experience in Lincoln was a ‘Nine Lessons and Ballads’ church service. It was promoter Lori McAlister’s idea to put together a programme modelled after the Nine Lessons and Carols, only with songs from my repertoire (both traditional and original) and readings that echoed or developed the themes touched on in the songs. It was a beautiful evening of music and readings, and I’d love to try and do the same sort of thing elsewhere.
You can read all about my USA experience, and look at route maps and loads of photos, in the Tour Diary.
Now I’m enjoying a much-needed few days at home before I set off on my 4-week UK tour -- see dates listed on the Calendar page.
Hope to see you at a gig down the road ....
What was nice this time round was the opportunity to perform in so many different settings. For example, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, I did a televised midday concert and then went round to various patient areas as part of their Music at the Bedside programme; and straight after that I did a four-day run of shows in Lincoln, Nebraska, that included an outdoor concert in a park that closed out their season and was attended by over 350 people, plus a visit with 120 nine- and ten-year-olds in a local school. I told them a bit about myself and did a couple of songs for them to sing along to, and for the rest of the hour they just bombarded me with questions – which included a query as to whether there were any kiwi birds in Cornwall!
Another new experience in Lincoln was a ‘Nine Lessons and Ballads’ church service. It was promoter Lori McAlister’s idea to put together a programme modelled after the Nine Lessons and Carols, only with songs from my repertoire (both traditional and original) and readings that echoed or developed the themes touched on in the songs. It was a beautiful evening of music and readings, and I’d love to try and do the same sort of thing elsewhere.
You can read all about my USA experience, and look at route maps and loads of photos, in the Tour Diary.
Now I’m enjoying a much-needed few days at home before I set off on my 4-week UK tour -- see dates listed on the Calendar page.
Hope to see you at a gig down the road ....

Niamh Parsons, who last recorded with me on my first album When Two Lovers Meet, came along to sing on two tracks: my canon 'In Gratitude I Sing' and the rather earlier 'New Oysters New', written by Thomas Ravenscroft back in 1609. Tom Barry sang on the same two tracks; other guest singers on 'In Gratitude I Sing' included Frances Hutchinson (who was roped in at the last minute after being overheard warbling in the kitchen whilst preparing dinner for the rest of us!), Gerry O'Beirne and Emer Ní Bhrádaigh.
instruments, which he used to brilliant effect on several tracks.
course Gerry O'Beirne on tiple and classical guitar.
thought worked very well on the Occitan troubadour song 'S'Anc Fuy Belha Ni Prezada' by Cadenet (c. 1160-c. 1235), despite the clash of periods and places!
Amazingly, we managed to finish on schedule at a very civilised 7.30pm on the final day of recording. Here are Gerry, Trevor, myself and Frances raising a glass to celebrate the occasion; unfortunately, all of us except Gerry had our eyes not on the camera but on the antics of Nina -- Frances and Trevor's beautiful and hilarious Irish setter.
a photo of the prettiest toilet in Ireland (or so I'm told – have a look and judge for yourself!) and a couple of pics from the final night of the tour – a packed triple bill at the Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo with NoCrows and The Unwanted.
Cathy Jordan (of the Unwanted, and of course also of Dervish) joined me onstage during my set for an a cappella duet on Peggy Lee's "Fever", and the entire ensemble joined forces at the end of the evening for a grand finale.
A major surprise in today’s post: I’ve just received the October/November edition of Welsh folk magazine Taplas, only to discover that I’m on the cover! I did the interview with the magazine’s editor, Keith Hudson, some weeks back but had no idea that he was planning to give it such prominence. Check it out on