The 1998 Steve Phillips/Brendan Croker tour was very successful. This was the first time the two Notting Hillbillies
had toured together since their 'Nev and Norris' days some ten years ago.

Steve used his Beltona resonator (Les Paul Shape) and six and twelve string guitars he built himself.
Brendan also used his 'Phillips' six string so the sounds of the guitars were very complimentary.
They tended to vary the set list a little each night but they generally played a mixture of country blues numbers such
as Cool Drink of Water, Rope Stretchin' Blues and the fabulous Red River Blues, and guitar rags such as Just Pickin',
Dallas Rag and Boogie Woogie Dance.

They also did songs they had penned themselves such as Steve's brilliant and hugely emotional Burning Sand and
Brendan's Poor Boy In This Town. They played one or two gospel numbers like Which Way Will You Turn?
Familiar to NHBs fans were songs such as Blues Stay Away From Me, Railroad Worksong, Beweildered, Will You Miss Me,
Hobo's Lullaby, I Feel Like Going Home and KC Moan.
Brendan tried to deliver his vocals in a different way to how they are usually done by the 'Billies which was very interesting to hear.
Classics included That's All right, Mama, Drinking Wine and, for an encore, a rousing version of Leadbelly's Goodnight Irene.

They usually played two sets, the first being around 45 minutes and the second about an hour.
During the tour Brendan splashed out to buy his own personal mirror-ball which also made an appearance at Ronnie Scotts -
ah, romance is not dead!!