I t is quite interesting seeing folks take such venomous shots at people i see as artists expressing music & words in ways that have inspired me throught a lifetime. I must admit i have some 'pet peeve' artists who annoy me but never would i have thought someone could think , let's see, say ,... a body of work by John Lennon is "shit"...perhaps some of it was trivial commercial stuff but jesus....he is on of my heros...and James Taylor, I love much of his stuff and he is a lot of fun live....and then somebody takes a potshot at Pete Morton, wow...and i still listen to the new Fairport stuff...it's damn good too..and i saw Steeleye Span last year...i cried when they did this fabulous a capella finale...they are as good as ever. And Bob Dylan, imagine that, hey, listen to the tribute album at Madison Sq. Garden from a couple years back, song after song, I loved them all as did many of the contempory artists who were there to salute him. Paul simon, especially early years, Bookends and the fist two solo efforts..great music ..

Just my 2 cents worth.

My turn to slam: Although i never did care for Neil Young's voice i appreciate the songwriting abilities. And Cat Stevens kind of bugged me, and i always held a small dislike for Judy Collins, probably because i was such a Joni Mitchell fan and thought she didn't get her due, it was like judy stole her songs. What really bugs me is when i read a list of recent Grammy winners it all seems like crap to me. Sheryl Crow, uck, celine, uck,brandy, puke,... whereas in the 60's & 70's i think there was better pop music. But then i guess i am 46 after all.

Thanks Long live the Bothy Band, O'Hanrahan

PS: I really can't take too much of the Irish bar bands that play all the commercial schmaltz(sp?) either.