yes i look forward to a time when folksong comes up with decent prices and incomes policy for England - a utilitarian history of England - in modal chord progression. i can't think of any greater future for this artform.

the tradition is the zeitgeist that makes you think every day, how can i tell my story better. how can i perform better. how can i give to the music. its not a money thing - although i suppose we all like to make a living.

if you do it - you understand it. you meet somebody for whom the music has the same importance, and you are sympatico.

i am sorry for your sake the truth is not simple. but its not.

think of the most contrary political and religious view to yours in the world. there is possibly someone somewhere writing their folksongs and trying just as hard to get it right. that's why the nazis valued folksong. that's why there are blues about wife beating and prostitution. jingoistic folksong.

youre right BH - I don't know what you do. i have no right to judge. but you should try to understand what Jim patently doesn't.

the tradition isn't a style school. it isn't a social agenda. it isn't something that lives only in gypsy camps or rural communities. its a sort of genetic - the musical creativity of the ordinary people. the desire to create and perform folk music.

do what you want in your band, but don't think about a tradition. the tradition is there in the earth beneath your feet. think of the people in front of you - and what YOU have to say . not a 17th century poacher or some character whose life you DO NOT UNDERSTAND - NO MORE THAN I UNDERSTAND MY FATHER'S LIFE!

and if you want to talk about your navel fluff, it'll be more interesting to the average audience than the poacher, me lads!