Music scene veteran Ray Cordell was blown away by the reaction to the launch of his first solo album.

The distinctive vocalist with North Herts favourites Rickshaw launched the project with a play-through performance at Norton’s Three Horseshoes pub.

Friends and fellow musicians were on hand to play the tracks on All These Years, including Neil Baker, Pete Dawson, Phil Franklin, Terry Chapman, Mark Baker, Richard ‘Rocky’ Westoby, Alan Howard, Amanda Ward, John Saggers and Dale Chapman.

Ray, above, was joined by three different line-ups of sidemen on the night.

Between sets, he spoke of his experiences in the music scene over the 30 years and the background to the album.

Another first on the night was Ray doing his first ever solo spot, playing and singing with a guitar. “I kept this secret, and it worked a treat” he said. Visit www.raycordell.com if you would like to know more.