The best thing on the dvd which that extract is taken from is the little seminar that Eric gives on his style. It is utterly breathtaking. He explains and demonstrates about bodhran rhythms, and how he fuses them with melodic guitar playing. And it is his folk music roots which makes him head and shoulders above the other tappers.

I haven't shown that seminar to any guitarist who hasn't just gasped with astonishment - really for the implications for our instrument. Eric has literally reimagined the guitar as bodhran with a string section.

There are few guitarists who change the direction of the instrument - Eric Roche will be remembered as one such man. Like Django Rheinhardt and Robert Johnson. I really believe - he is of that stature as an innovator.

Instrumentally the most magnificent contribution to the tradition in our lifetime.

If you looked through Mudcat, you would find the message where I enquired if he was worth going to see. He was at the Avalon Acoustic Guitar Exhibition at Leicester. I saw him less than a year before he died.

I don't expect to see a better musician, ever.