"I think it's significant that the style of "contemporary folk" which Nick Drake typifies more or less disappeared after a few years. It was the singer-songwriters such as those Will mentions, who were producing a rather different type of song, who have proved long-lasting"

Howard - you're right in terms of commercial success. But I wouldn't agree in terms of influence and credibility.

There's a whole swathe of contemporary folk-based songwriters who clearly owe a big debt to that generation: singers and musicians such as Alasdair Roberts, Michael Rossitter, Mary Hampton, Spoono, Benjamin Wetherill, Hollowbody, Jason Steel… I could go on all day. It's not Paul Simon, Cat Stevens and James Taylor they're influenced by.