BY EXCHANGING music files over the internet, rising local blues harmonica player Thomas Ford (aka Simon Langsford) recently recorded with the famous Californian musician 'Banana' (formerly of sixties rock group The Youngbloods).

The liaison came about when Thomas was the supporting act for Banana at the No.8 Café, Launceston on one of the regular visits he has made to North Cornwall since 2005.

Banana's new CD, 'Even grandpas get the blues' features a number of his highly-rated musical friends and Thomas is named on the front cover alongside such musical legends as slide-guitarist Ry Cooder, Barry Melton (who played at the 1969 Woodstock Festival with 'Country Joe' and 'The Fish') and the god-father of bluegrass mandolin, David Grisman.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.