As regular readers of this column will know, the same names often appear at venues locally, and in North Wales and the North West in general. So, it is always refreshing to see new faces coming into the area. One such act, an Anglo-German duo from Staffordshire, who made their first visit to the area in early 2017 when they guested at Wrexham Folk & Acoustic Music Club, The Nag's Head, Mount Street, Wrexham are set to return to the venue next Thursday (May 2) at 8.15pm and they will also have the honour of being the last guests of the current season at this long-established and popular club.

Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer took the unusual and quite courageous step of coming across here for a Singers' Night to showcase their talents and it worked as many of the regulars at the club were asking organiser, Goff Jones, at the end of the night, when he was going to book them. A case I think of following that old politician's advice of "getting on your bike" to seek work!

After several successful forays since, including an appearance at the club's charity Christmas night last December, they return once again. With their unique onstage chemistry and their often commented-on special harmonies they entertain and engage their audiences with acoustic originals and folk club favourites or, as a German newspaper put it, "songs with groove and goose bumps guaranteed". They certainly have been busy with gigs in the UK and Europe (Germany), including festival appearances all over the UK and a two-week tour of Ireland in between.

With powerful vocals, harmonies and exceptional musicianship and their own very original songs to sit alongside their immaculate covers of people like Richard Thompson, Dougie MacLean, Jimmy McCarthy and Christy Moore, with the odd German folk song tossed in, they will certainly present a very diverse and entertaining night for the final one this season. It might also be worth remembering to take a few more pounds with you as their last two albums, Marble Town (2015) and The Whole Charade (2018), received great reviews in the music press and I am sure that they will have a few with them on the night. Admission is a mere £6 on the door.

Please remember that the club have a very attractive conclusion to the season as their usual Singers' Night finale in May, on Thursday (May 16), has been extended this year to include Friday (May 17) and Saturday (May 18) as part of the prestigious annual Focus Wales Music Festival. On these three evenings there will be an early start and finish with the music running from 7pm-9pm to fit in with other festival events elsewhere in town, although the Thursday night, being the usual club night, will continue as usual until 11pm. As and when I have any more details of these evenings I will, of course, let you know.

Rewinding to this coming weekend, there is still time this Friday (April 26) to catch one of my all-time favourite songwriters, Durham's finest, Jez Lowe, at Heswall Folk Club, Heswall Squash Rackets Club, Brimstage Road, Heswall, Wirral. Jez is this month's guest at this newly formed but popular club. They say that every club is often only as good as the organisers and the residents and, in this case, the added attraction of having one of Wirral's finest singers and guitarist, Brian Jones (of Tom Topping Band), was a master stroke by organisers Dave and Anne Jones. Brian also has a very talented musical family and, this time around, he will be performing as a duo with his daughter Laura who has a fine voice are bright stars on the folk scene. It is set to be one of the best evenings at the club yet but with limited numbers I would recommend that you phone Anne Jones now on 07780 781073 to reserve your tickets.

Also, this weekend, Tennessee Waltz play the afternoon slot at The White Owl, Thurstaston, Wirral on Sunday (April 28) at 4pm, whilst The Deportees fulfil the same role at Alexander's Live, Off Rufus Court, Northgate Street, Chester on the same day, this time playing from 2.30pm-5pm. Both the above are free to patrons of the two venues.

Down the road, in Oswestry, on Saturday (April 27) fans will be attracted to the Willow Gallery in the town by a performance from Bill Malkin and the Bandwagon at 8pm. Bill & keyboard player John Sylvester usually play as residents at The Blue Bell , Halkyn so this is a rare foray for the band that, on this occasion, includes Full House member Chris Lee. A new CD by Bill and the band is, I am told, being launched at this night, so watch out for that one. Tickets, at £10, can be bought on the door with doors open at 7pm for an 8pm start.

Into next week, and, in addition to the great night in prospect at Wrexham Folk Club on Thursday (May 2), fans of Ruthin All Styles Music Club, The Feathers Inn, Ruthin will also be able to enjoy two very special guests at 8pm. John Williams and Phil Chisnall will be performing following the usual plethora of singers' spots. Both are excellent singers and musicians and have also written some very good songs between them. Be early for this one.

I am always a great believer in forward planning and this week is no exception as I bring your attention to next Friday (May 3) and two very tasty gigs. On this side of the border, the Geordie fiddler and singer, Tom McConville is in duo with his friend Michael Higgins at Rhyl Folk Club, Tynewydd Community Centre, Coast Road (A458), Rhyl at 8pm with admission just £5 on the door, and, at St Mary's Creative Space, Chester, the latest Soundbox promotion brings another young and exciting duo to this popular city venue. They are Rosie Hodgson & Rowan Piggot, one of the new generation of acoustic singers and musicians fast making a name for themselves. Local singer, Owen Chamberlain, provides support and tickets, at £10, can be bought through the usual website.

As usual, whatever you do and wherever you go, enjoy your music.

By D.C.M.