the stables

Off to the Stables tonight to see the Sharon Shannon Band.  She plays accordion, amongst other things and is a fabulous musician.  I first came across her on a Steve Earle album and then on the Transatlantic Sessions on BBC4.  She crosses all musical genres but is best known for her Celtic tunes, I guess.  Soul music of the heather.

The Stables is a great little place to hear live music - just 400 seats - and was the brainchild of John Dankworth and Cleo Laine back in 1970, when they converted the stable block of their home, on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, into a concert and education venue.

Many famous musicians from all over the world have played here - including a band from Milton Keynes, who just happened to be available and cheap, one Sunday night in 2003, when asked to support The Amazing Blondel.  (Prog folk/rock in case you’ve forgotten - or never heard of them). 

I was in a Tex-Mex/Bluegrass band at the time and was thrilled to be able to step out onto that famous stage and play to …. oh, there must have been about 90 people (including some of our friends).  Even so, we got our own dressing room with complimentary beer and nuts.