Pip: "Contemporary folk" that sounds like it's at least on nodding terms with traditional forms"

Ah... there's the rub! If that was what everyone meant when they said "contemporary folk" - i.e. new music that was firmly rooted in tradition (to nick a phrase from fRoots) we wouldn't even be having this discussion. I just dunno where cover versions of songs by Cliff Richard, John Denver, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Robbie Williams and Kris Kristopherson (to name a few I've heard in folk clubs - though admittedly "Sunday Morning Coming Down" is a beautiful countrypolitan pop song) fit in.

Meanwhile, if I want to hear singer songwriter stuff, I'd rather go to a gig by a decent singer songwriter performing their own stuff than watch a bunch of blokes with acoustic guitars bashing out acoustic karaoke in a pub backroom. Nothing wrong with that in itself, of course, simply a different horse.

In fact I think I'm on to something. Anyone up for an acoustic karaoke night?