THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE STABLES: NILS LOFGREN, LARRY MILLER AND MARK WATSON LEAD THE BILLING

Nils Lofgren's appearance at The Stables this Thursday (Jan 8) is a long time sold-out.

Hardly surprising though - his pedigree as a solo artist is assured, and this acoustic show - also featuring multi-instrumentalist Greg Varlotta - will be packed full of classic tracks, from I Came to Dance to Shine Silently and many, many more.

It's a welcome return to these shores for Nils, who has spent the past few years out on the road as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band.

He featured in the touring line-up for the Boss' most recent tours, Wrecking Ball and High Hopes.

Those lucky enough to have bagged tickets can get set for a rare intimate date from the master musician.

If Soul makes your heart sing, then step on inside the Wavendon venue on Friday night (Jan 9) and enjoy a performance by Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

The revue will celebrate the sounds delivered by Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Temptations and other leaders of the soul pack.

Blues-rock ace Larry Miller (above) returns on Saturday (Jan 10), and this visit will see him sizzle some sharp additions to the live set, from the new album Soldier of the Line.

As engaging as he is talented, Miller is a marvel at the fret, and one who still holds the record for the most encores at The Cambridge Rock Festival.

Classic Rock readers have voted Larry into third position when it came to their most favoured players - behind only Joe Bonnamassa and Walter Trout.

The same magazine declared him to be 'keeper of the British Blues Rock flame.'

Soldier of the Line is Larry's ninth long-player, the title track inspired by footage of soldiers in hospital who had suffered shell shock during the First World War. 

Our fella is thrilled with the output: "This is my best album ever," he declared, "I love the blues rock genre but I'm always wanting to hear something more, take it somewhere else but never losing sight passionate playing from the heart.

"I really believe we've achieved it on this record...

MPMG Mark Watson 1

On Stage 2, Red Shoes will entice you with their stories woven around chiming acoustic guitars with a folk meets roots combo.

Sally Barker sings in on Sunday (Jan 11).

Some of you will have caught The Poozies' lead singer when she duetted with Sir Tom Jones on BBC show The Voice.

She has also supported Bob Dylan and Robert Plant on stage, but less of all that and more of her own turn - at this show she will be presenting songs from her album Another Train.

Multi-award winning Mark Watson (above) brings his show Flaws to the venue on Tuesday night (Jan 13).

He'll be looking back at the ageing process, parenthood and the fear of passing ill-fated traits onto your children.

Flaws is a personal, thought-provoking adventure exploring human character defects and the effects his own weaknesses have had on his life.

This tour - celebrating Mark's decade in comedy - is a whopping one, with 65 dates being played in all.

He started it in October, and there is still another month of funnies-raising to go 

"...it seemed like the natural point to reflect on what I've done," Mark says of that decade anniversary.

"I couldn't help observing that most of the time has been spent making money from telling people about my personal inadequacies.  

"So Flaws is about how my hapless stage persona has at some point become a hapless human being.

"I'm interested in the whole idea of flaws and fallibility," he continues.

"Perfection is not possible or desirable for humans.  The denial of human quirks and flaws is not healthy.

"But the fact that you know others have flaws doesn't necessarily comfort you," he said.

And though touring can take a toll, you'll not hear this super-smart, likeable chap moaning about the job in hand: "Yes, the rigours of touring are considerable," Mark said.

"But when you're on the road, people are scrabbling round at home doing much less glamorous things.

"When comedians complain about touring, I assure they haven't got families.

"Certainly there have been times at home when I've been delighted to say 'You know I'd love to stay and deal with this plumbing crisis, but sadly Bromsgrove awaits!'"

Last up this coming week, on Wednesday (Jan 14), The Classic Rock Show delivers delights to shake your mop too - grand slabs by artists spanning AC/DC to Queen and Zep.

Split with £25, raise your fists and yell.  Or something like that.

To make a booking call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org