Carthy names Broonzy as one of his great influences. and if you listen to the swing in those bass strings - you will see what he means. ironically I would have said Carthy influenced some American guitarists. last year I saw Spider John Koerner and he was doing trad American folk songs - not using chords - but with a strong bass string single note accompaniment - very like MC.

isn't it in fact a two way street. I would object very strongly to English folk guitar being dismissed as some sort of tributary of American folk music. Lockran in particular could set the whole room swinging with his first two or three notes, - a guitarist of great uniqueness and distinction. I never saw his like before or since. And Derek Brimstone - his guitar sound was utterly unique -if you missed it cos of the dazzling chat - boy you missed out big time! He was one of the great stylists.

Frankly I get pissed off with hearing the work of both men dismissed by musicians not fit to lick their boots.