For no reason at all that makes any sense or that can be explained, the word "troubadour" irritates me. It sounds, I dunno ... pompous.

I'd rather someone say, "I'm a composer" in a fake French accent, or refer to their songs as "tone poems" rather than see someone smile with crinkly wisdom and intone, "By the way, I'm what you might call ... a troubadour."

This is not fair to Tom Chapin, an eminent songwriter and giant in the folk community who is often marketed as the "Hudson Valley Troubadour." Indeed, over the course of 25 albums of thoughtful and smart acoustic music that explores every facet of humanity — with a hopeful and melodic touch — Chapin has established himself as a premier talent.

In that spirit, see and hear him engage in troubadour-ness Friday at New London's All Souls UU Congregation for the latest in their Friday Night Folk series. Expect tunes from his winning 2017 "Threads" album as well as old favorites and plenty of stories.

Tom Chapin, Friday Night Folk, 7 p.m. Friday, All Souls UU Congregation, 19 Jay St., New London; $20 advance, $25 door, $10 students and military with ID; fridaynightfolk.org.