To be honest I've watched this phenomena half a dozen times in the last 20 or so years. And it why so little has come from the folk revival in the way of memorable songs lately.

What saves us having to put up with it for long is the fact that the folk programmes always select someone young gifted and white; sod-all to say artistically and just about the musical talent to say it.

Its a pity that we DON'T get to hear the best songs coming out of the folk clubs, but as they say in the Godfather, this is the business we are engaged in.

Get used to it. Leave the guy alone - he's not going to come up with Streets of London, Blowing in the Wind or Dirty Old town. if someone does - like the Pogues, Tom Robinson or Jarvis Cocker did. they might get lucky and find another route.

No use bothering with with it.