THERE’S been a D.I.V.O.R.C.E but Hank isn’t talking about it. Only brief mention is made of singer and guitarist Reg Meuross, now lost to The Lost Cowboys.

In his place is ace pedal-steel guitar player BJ Cole.

If Reg’s harmonies are missed occasionally, and they are, having BJ around brings great musical benefits, as the maestro of the pedal-steel guitar – that most plangent of instruments, every note a slowing falling tear – fills out the songs with mournful regret.

He is also equally as effective playing slide on the Dobro guitar, especially, late in the show, in a duet with Hank on the title track from his new album, Whistling In The Dark.

There are no cowgirls nowadays, but this reviewer recalls a time long ago when Hank had a singer called, if memory serves, Herma Setes.

It’s an all-boys’ game nowadays, as Hank and his band have fun with misery. It is a neat trick, with gloom-saturated songs such as Half A Man, Mr And Mrs Teardrops and Ballad Of Bill Picket performed with a straight face, each note wrung from the heart; Hank means every word of it, from the bottom of his country music heart – yet the result is often very funny, as well as musically spot on.

These Christmas outings to The Shed are loved by the faithful, including a coach party from York who make the pilgrimage amid much excitement.

All praise to Simon Thackray for creating this fine festive tradition at his ingenious Shed.