Hollywood has been casting its unforgiving arc-light on the short and troubled life of country music great Hank Williams, with Brit hunk Tom Hiddlestone doing a convincing job in the lead role and even providing his own vocals.

But even if biopic I Saw The Light didn’t make it anywhere near your nearest multiplex you will still be familiar with the timeless songs that Hank conjured up pretty much out of nowhere.

He’s listed as one of the key influences of The Malingerers, a dapper quartet with their roots in East Anglia but their hearts in the American south-west.

They’ve drunk deep from a melting pot of traditional country, blues, folk and jazz – as well as Hank, they’ll tip their hats to Merle Travis, Leadbelly, Woodie Guthrie, Bob Wills and many more – but their music somehow manages to combine these influences with typically British and Irish flavours, not to mention a healthy dash of cynicism and warped sense of humour and history. The result is wonderful modern old time music performed by four guys with great lead and backing vocals, guitars, double bass and violin.

You can find out more about the band online at themalingerers.co.uk but they’ll be performing at the Baldock and Letchworth Blues, Folk and Roots Club next week. Get to the Orange Tree in Norton Road for an 8.30pm start next Wednesday, June 1, if you want to catch them live.

Admission is £10, there are £9 concessions on offer and U16s get in free. Visit www.madnanny.co.uk for more about the club’s programme.