I suppose you had to experience the Dylan phenomena to undertand why folk clubs were full.

This guys songs had been hit records before anybody ever heard him. Everybody knew blowing in the wind, don't think twice. And when I say everybody, I don't mean gang of saddos in a field - I mean actually everybody irrespective of of age and condition, in a time when record factories couldn't keep up with demand.

they can't chuck way the stuff thats in the charts nowadays.

a contestant came on the X factor last week, and the panel asked - what's your ambition, and she said to sell 100 thousand records. I sold that many of my one relatively succssful song in 1983 - it made number 42 in the charts.

that is the nature of sales decline and dissociation of public taste and the music industry. the folk music world is just part of an international trend.

It all comes down to the songs. I just haven't heard a song that makes you think - well theres going to be something bloody exciting going on at the local folk club or festival.