Tiger Moth Tales - The Mad Mothster's Tea Party (The Official Bootleg) (2017)

Back in August 2015 Big Big Train came to play three dates at the King's Place in London. I attended the show on the Saturday with my wife and Mr and Mrs Trimming who we only met that weekend but we have since become firm friends. I mentioned to Leo that I had brought my guitar as I often travel with one. He tentatively suggested we did an impromptu pre gig show at the pub next to the venue. Before we knew it, Leo had rustled up a sizeable crowd and the gig took place. The audience and I had a great time at this surprise gig and of course we were all united in our love for Big Big Train.

A year later at Summer's End 2016, Leo and I got to talking again and we wondered if we could repeat the event on a more organised and larger scale. So the idea of The Mad Mothster's Tea Party was born.

It was touch and go whether the gig would happen. The interest was there from the Tiger Moth Tales fans in the Big Big Train community, but finding a venue for an afternoon gig on the same day as the 2017 Big Big Train gig at Cadogan Hall proved difficult and we almost gave up on the idea.

Enter Chris Topham from Plane Groovy Records, who stepped in at the last minute and secured The Islington venue. With more help from Chris Jones, Leo Trimming and Rosie Platts among others, and the rest as they say is history.

I played a 90 minute set as Tiger Moth Tales Acoustic to a packed room of 130 lovely Mothingtons and a fabulous time was had by all.

This boot leg recording of the gig was provided by the Progzilla Dj and all round top bloke Cliff Pearson. While we didn't get the perfect recording due to technical difficulties at the venue, Cliff captured the warm and wonderful atmosphere of the day and we thought we'd like to share it with those who were there and those who couldn't make it. We hope this will bring back great memories of the afternoon.

Our thanks also goes out to Big Big Train as without them we wouldn't have been able to do this event on such a big scale. Plus they've given us their blessing to include my tribute to their great music on the proviso that we make a donation to The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, which we are more than happy to do.

So thank you once again to everybody involved in making the gig happen, including everyone who came along and gave such a warm reception. And now, sit back and please enjoy the album.