On an cold January night in deepest darkest Wiltshire there were stars in the sky (and on the stage), and the faint ringing of bells in the air...

Yes a multitude of Jesters hats were descending on Riff's Bar to witness Proggin Mick Pointer and chums turn the clocks back and play "Script for a Jester's Tear".

The support for the evening was provided by Holly Petrie (right), who opened her set by saying "I am so sorry I don't do prog!", there was no need for her to worry, as the crowd assembled were full of love (and beer), Holly gave a marvellous acoustic set which warmed up the masses well.

Check her music out at www.myspace.com/hollypetrie

Mick Pointer, Nick Barrett, Ian Salmon, Mike Varty & John Dexter Jones took to the stage to rapturous applause, and then for just one brief moment there was a collective intake of breath and anticipation filled the air...

"So here I am once more...". Every word of the entire set was sung out loud by 140 jumping fans, and one very tall Welsh man. Mick played like a demon, and the joy was clear on his face throughout the entire set.

Script For A Jesters' Tear was played in album order, and it sounded perfect. Just perfect. It was incredible, J D-J was fabulous, funny, and did a remarkable job. Nick "Rovverwey" Barrett's guitar sound was spectacular, although he had clearly not eaten enough pies in training. The whole thing was over far, far too soon, we were treated to Market Square Heroes as an encore, and the cheering was heard as far away as Aylesbury.

There was a lot of love in that room, Mark "Credo" Colton, and Andy "Jump" Faulkener were just two of the prog luminaries present, and joined the calls for "Grendel"... But despite our best efforts I think Grendel is being kept for another day...

And yes there are definite rumours of "another day" so for all you proggin doubting fishes out there, when that other day is announced get along, and see what all the fuss is about. Because the five men on the stage managed to make all 140 of us 25 years younger for the evening, and that alone can't be a bad thing!

(Jesters) Hats off to Mick and Co, this was truly a thing of beauty you bestowed upon us, and we thank you.

by Carole Slinger (centre)

You can check out singer John Dexter Jones' band Jump's MySpace page at www.myspace.com/jumprockuk