I SPENT last weekend at the Old Songs Festival near Albany New York, which uncharacteristically was somewhat blighted by rain and chilly winds instead of the usual heat and mosquitoes. It didn't dampen our spirits too much though, and the crowds seemed to be enjoying themselves. Highlights to my ears included two songwriters with very different styles. A young woman called simply Ellis played very personal songs in a quirky style, while a somewhat more mature man called Joel Mabus leaned more to a traditional American old-timey approach. Both have an impressive body of work that is well worth checking out. UK representatives included Brian Peters, Alan Reid and Rob Van Sante and young Welsh band Calan. The standard of playing, especially from the bluegrass and Québécois musicians, was astonishing. I'm off now to Cape Cod for the New Bedford Festival. Meanwhile, highlights across our own region this week include The Alan Hull Songbook at Washington's Davy Lamp on Saturday, with Lindisfarne alumni Dave Hull Denholm and Ian Thompson, a choice on Sunday between Dave Gibb at Guisborough Rugby Club and Chris and Steve Wilson at South Shields Customs House, and Pipedream at Cramlington's Clef and Cask. Also on Tuesday, Dave Whaley and Bill Fletcher are at Redcar Bowling Club for the Cutty Wren. All in all, some great folk music to be had.