I have nothing against drummers

I have nothing against drummers - why, the Grateful Dead employed two of them (both still alive - it was the keyboard players that had the Spinal Tap death curse) and they are fantastic. In fact Tom's tablas were influential for a good chunk of the Coombe Lodge entertainment value and he was also the hardest working seeing as he featured in two thirds of the acts performing.
Sadly you are wrong about Mark Knopfler and his Direst Straits as he has no soul. The headband was really to disguise the furrowed brow as he worked out what to play as there was no link between heart and hands. (These are admittedly the words of someone who has no idea which strings make what notes but that's not the point.) And that could bring us to Head, Hands and Feet which was the excellent Albert Lee's first(?) band and he certainly has soul rippling around the place.

More Dragonsfly

Here we go, kicking and screaming into the modern age. And appropriately for a scary birth it is performed in a maelstrom of wetness. Regardless, Sunday saw a trip to Coombe Lodge to see Dragonsfly, a local band of fine musicians covering an extreme range of instruments. Using a basis of drums and electric bass (six strings - count 'em) and overlaid with mandolin, bouzouki, hurdy gurdy, various sax and other wind things, bagpipes (probably more technical than that) an acoustic guitar and probably a whole lot more besides. The weather stayed fine throughout making it one of the rarer outdoor experiences this summer. Even better was the band's ability to get people dancing. Quite a feat but, really, essential in any type of band that wants to have an interaction with their audience. A stunning session. So good that even the opening act who, in true folk singer style, appeared somewhat depressed, was seen to be dancing with reckless enjoyment for most of their set.
Snap them up fast when they appear near you.

When can I reveal my true distaste for the appropriately named Dire Straits?

From Drangonsfly

Dragonsfly at Coombe Lodge

Well just to get it started here is the ghost writer having a go.
With some pictures of Dragonsfly playing at Coombe Lodge on Sunday 22-Jul-07