Eamonn Fitzgerald's Rainy Day

[LONDON] No, this is not an attempt at a cheap shot across the bows of Cap?n Kerry before he runs the flag up the main mast tonight in Boston. The Bush here is not the one who fills the crazed imaginations of Michael Moore and Craig Unger, it?s the London one, as in Shepard?s Bush, and the hall is an intimate performance space that?s used for events, mainly musical.

For the past two nights, Bush Hall has been graced by Tanya Donelly. Remember her? She of the bitter-sweet voice, which was a key part of such 90s outfits as Throwing Muses, The Breeders and Belly? Where did she go? Well, she had a child and those years do go by bringing up baby — four in this particular case. Now she?s back with a new album, ?Whiskey, Tango, Ghosts.?

Using a sophisticated combination of the Circle and Central Lines, your blogger got to 310 Uxbridge Road, where Bush Hall is located, and was impressed by what Ms Donelly has got to say. More intense, more melancholic and much more influenced by country music than ever before, she has created a cycle of songs that deserves a wide audience. For a digital download (with bonus tracks), visit www.4ad.com.

Because the gig began at 7.30 pm and was over at 9, there was still enough daylight to explore the surroundings. Uxbridge Road is in a state of dramatic change these days as an influx of African immigrants remodel it in their image and to their needs. This means lots of shops selling fruit, vegetables and rice, two Islamic centres and a variety of businesses signposted in a kind of cryptic English that?s worth taking note of. I was particularly struck by a hair salon at No 61 bearing the inscription ?Gentleman Son?s Present To You Divine Cutz?. This was too good an opportunity to pass up and for ?7 Yusuf al-Hussain delivered one of the best haircuts I?ve ever experienced. Eschewing the standard electric trimmer and using just scissors and cut-throat razor (!), he proved a master of his trade. All excess ribs ended up on the floor and those remaining are, if I say so myself, extraordinarily well balanced and pleasing to look at.