Jackie Oates - lovely material, delivery a bit fey.
Jim Causley - some lovely material, some lovely sounding material, alas sadly affected by the tendency to sneer at "folk" (according to the words out of his own mouth on the wireless)
Jon Loomes - quite simply, great (although friends told me he forgot the words four or five times at a folk club the othe week).
Spiers and Boden - not to my personal taste but I recognise their ability. Very un-folk arrangements to my ear.
Mawkin - I like the sound of what I've heard.
Bella Hardy - I bought the CD on spec, having been told she was a new powerful female singer and I find every time it comes on the CD changer in the car I turn it off
Mawkin -I've liked the sound of the few bits I've heard

The rest, my jury is still out - but surely with the exception of Spiers and Boden who I think go as superstars these days all of that list can be seen in many concert clubs and the only hardcore traddy is Jackie Oates would you not agree?

Bellowhead through size are a special case and suited for big stage big rig (and I don't like all that brass), and I don't think Mr Monster wants them in his local club does he? Rachel Unthank I have listened to a bit and do not dislike - but for whatever reason they are now big time and surely beyond the budget of small venues.

But if it isn't the music (and surely that is the most important thing although bad ambience and bad beer can make it harder to appreciate) now I am lost what it is that Mr Monster doesn't want. I can see he is very annoyed about something maybe just the prescence and continued survival of people older than him, but if not that what then is it?

Moreover, even if I can get a handle on what he doesn't like - what is it he actually wants? Is it that he wants only concerts, and no floor singers? If it cannot be understood, how is his criticism constructive?



Al, you are still a wind-up! All or almost all of them were musicians. You don't have to be a full-time pro to be a musician, and if you say you do then two things follow: -

1. You are the one putting yourself in a ghetto, and
2. You'd better live up to the billing you give yourself. I'm sure you personally do, but it is the load you shouldered.