About

If there's a theme this month, it's all about the early years of commercial popular music, the 1920s and on, when record sales & radio shows were forging styles in a way that no individual touring artist ever could. Conversely those conditions produced artists and songs whose names, melodies, and down-home sentiments are known to this day.

There's Rob Heron and the pseudonymous Jake Leg, but we're starting the month with one of our old favourites, playing at The Bell since the early '90s, Ashley & Debbie aka. Rag Mama Rag, that time-honoured configuration of two voices, home-made percussion and an assortment of guitars. They live in France – keeping the international touring simpler – but as much of the year touring in their van, and they have the whole thing done to perfection without pretension – and no need to dress up or act. For this, The Bell – and many other musical connoisseurs – loves them