great show from songwriter Tom Russell at Birmingham’s Ceol Castle tonight. A really nice, intimate, friendly venue, admittedly located in one of Birmingham’s less attractive areas.

Great show anyway, with fantastic accompaniment on the mandolin by Mikael Martin.

Hes back over in the UK later in the year, check his website for dates.

Shame about the gig booking though which was via the Wolverhampton Civic Box Office. Despite charging what must be the most expensive booking fee I’ve yet to pay (a £7 charge on top of a £10 e-ticket) they failed to contact the venue with the booking which lead to me standing around for an hour while they guy there tried to get in touch with them, in the end they let me in for ‘free’ – Even though I’d paid someone £17.

Is a nice venue though, next time I’d much rather book direct.