After a continual succession of glum Americana and roots bands troubling our ears over the past few years (some acts are worthy, some are not), it's refreshing to have a bit of good ole authenticity around in the form of Hot Club Of Cowtown. Despite originally hailing from New York City, the country-swing/hot jazz trio pay homage to their peers with a fiddle-filled hoedown sound that previously had Jools Holland excited a while back, after appearing on "Later..."

They appear to have had one question to ponder about since their formation in the late 90s - "What Makes Bob Holler?", which has hopefully been answered on the forthcoming album of the same name. The 'Bob' in the title is Bob Wills (and his Texas Playboys, naturally), the band's primary influence and source of inspiration over the years.

Wills was making similar sounds back in the 40s and 50s and became the King of Western Swing and here on this album they cover many Wills standards, plus a few fans' favourites. A review for the album will feature on here in due course.

To support the release of the album (due 1st November), the trio will tour the UK and Ireland starting in Bridport on 20th October, followed by Norwich, Runcorn, Cork, London, Bristol, Oxford and Bedford. Tickets cost around £16.50 plus fees and are available now.

One extra-special event takes place on Halloween - a performance by Hot Club of Cowtown (plus other Dixie-land and blues 'n' roots debauchery from The Correspondents and El Nino) will take place on the Dixie Queen Paddle Steamer as part of the Steam Boat Bordello banner.

Your ticket (costing from £35-£65) includes a trip on the boat up the Thames towards the Thames Barrier and back again, plenty of musical entertainment and a cast of Halloween characters befitting of a bordello, plus bar and restaurant. Happy sailing.