Colin Henry, Janet Holmes, and Northern Exposure at Rathfriland

Colin Henry reports: 'I had some great fun last Friday night [2 December]. Janet was on the same bill as Northern Exposure (and Clive Gregson) at Rathfriland, Co. Down. Pete Toman asked me up during their set to play dobro on two tunes with them. They are a really great band, and though I hadn't played bluegrass live for a few years, they let me play. Jonathan Toman, one of my favorite banjo pickers, played "Foggy Mountain breakdown" at a truly bluegrass speed and I had a job just getting out of the root chord to follow him. I had said to Pete beforehand that it would take me at least three-quarters of an hour playing to get back into it, but I think I should amend that to a few months at that speed. They are a great band to listen to and really know how to choose a good tune, and as I listened to them I said to Janet that this was why I loved the music; truly magic.

By the way, the "Blackstaff Sessions" has just started on BBC2 on Friday nights. This is the show that Janet recorded some tines for a couple of months ago. Not sure what show she is on yet but I will let you know.'