I came into folk music via North Eastern songs and protest folk. I was then not generally impressed by the more traditional performers, and very much came to like the folk/rock "stars". It isn't true that I didn't like the traditional songs, I did own a Shirley Collins and a number of High Level Ranters LPs, but my main collection was Ochs, Paxton, Steeleye Span. I had little depth of knowledge and certainly disliked the nasal droning "finger in the ear" style. This didn't change until moving into the NorthWest, where I became more influenced by the likes of the Taverners and Strawhead, but perhaps the defining moment was listening to Roy Harris at Flyde festival. Here was unaccompanied pure singing of classic songs. I should perhaps add Pat Ryan here, and June Tabor. Joni Mitchell being somewhere inbetween these times.

I came back into folk music when the kids were a little older, my tastes were now much more to the traditional songs, a good ballad by a lovely female voice, Maggie Boyle for one. I do still love a good stomping concert by Tanglefoot, or the songwriting of Steve Tilston, but care less for the more overtly political or the more marginal pop stuff. My buying is Waterson:Carthy, Bob Fox, Jez Lowe, Martin Simpson. And all the others..... time for a new Grace Notes?

I still dislike those who think a love of the tradition and a wish for self-publicity is enough excuse to inflict a poor voice on a paying public, and those who think three undistinguishable blasts of "diddley-diddley" make up an enjoyable set.