I've got a very odd feeling he may have played Falling Leaves as an encore on the second night, but I was very drunk by then (stone cold sober first night), and I dreamed about him both nights I was there so that might explain it.

Peter Blegvad was also excellent both nights, accompanied on bass by John Greaves. And Syd Straw should be a higher profile artist than she is. On the second night Robyn joined Bleg and Syd on harmonica during King Strut.

To answer Bayard. I saw Straw and Blegvad with regular band John Greaves and Chris Cutler at the Woodcutter's Ball at the Embassy Rooms London, England. There were other contributions from Eddi Reader (who is bonkers) and Loudon Wainwright III (on Daughter). And from B.J.Cole on pedal steel, Peter's brother Kristoffer and a female duo The Dear Janes (who have supported Robyn in their time). Dagmar Krause, Anthony Moore and Robyn were asked but couldn't make it.

Initially the Paris gigs were going to be separate solo affairs, but when the promoter talked to each of our two main protagonists they expressed a strong interest in playing together. And so it came to pass...

Loudon is playing there next month, as are Elliott Murphy and Corey Harris. It often also hosts comedy gigs. British stand-ups especially. The bloke who runs it is English. The booze is expensive but the atmosphere is pretty good.

Finally, I tackled Robyn about the novel. He's got to do a second draft, and publication looks deeply unlikely this year.

jmbc. sinister but happy