The Stables welcomes rising talent Dan

Radio 2 ace, and geniune music fan, Janice Long reckons he has ‘really, really gorgeous songs,’ and a listen to his debut album verifies her words.

Tom ‘2-4-6-8 ‘Robinson is pretty outspoken about Dan too: “sensational!…what makes me really angry, is if that song had Peter Gabriel’s name on the sleeve it would be hailed as a major return to form…..deserves a lot of respect” he reckons.

Dan has stage shared with some cracking masters in their field too – Willy Mason, Josh Ritter, Peter Green, Jim Moray and the sublime Joseph Arthur among them.

A new album is promised for September, Reaching For a State of Mind.

Keep your ears pinned back and ready to receive.

Support is coming from Bedford’s Rebecca de Winter and tickets are only a tenner in advance, £12 on the door.

Show time is 8.45pm. Please, be seated.

> The venue also hosts supergroup Yes, on Wednesday night, and this show will be their first with new guitarist Sam Coulson, who joins the taut playability of John Wetton, Geoff Downes and drummer Carl Palmer.

This date, a WAP Fundraiser, comes two days before the band play the high profile Sweden Rock 2013.

“Asia is ready to take its next steps along this remarkable road,” Wetton commented.

“We cannot wait to perform again for the fans, to see Sam take his place onstage for the first of many shows he will play with us.”

Also showing this week:

The Searchers, play tomorrow.

Ridiculous as it might sound, they hit the top spot in the singles chart with Sweets for my Sweet, in 1963.

That’s a half century ago!

Get your weekend off to a flying start with a little Sugar and Spice...

Never The Bride (Saturday) bring an eclectic fusion or rock, blues, soul and funk to the fore, while Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes go all guitar on Sunday, when the Grammy winner and his band stage-step.

“He is a great, great player, fluid, lyrical and free,” Eric Clapton says of Mr Lee.

Need we say more?

Tuesday night is Celtic Fiddle Festival time.

They are celebrating their 20 year anniversary. with a new CD, Live in Brittany, and of course, these live dates.

All tickets to see funny fella Russell Kane at play for his three shows at the venue this week, are gone.

Don’t waste your time calling the box office.

If however, you fancy a slice of Asia or a piece of Dan, call up on 01908 280800 and get sorted.

Lots of the shows this week now have only limited availability, mind, so don’t wait too long before picking up the phone.