I feel quite uncomfortable about setting this particular hare running, but I suppose I only have myself to blame!

The 'Celtic' label gives me serious problems too. The trouble is that I'm a Scot and my 'datum line', I suppose, is the music that I was surrounded by as a youngster, both in my family setting and the Scottish folk revival of the late 50s and early 60s.

I LOVE traditional music from pretty much anywhere; I toured all round Europe with a folk band during the 80s and 90s and heard wonderful music from France, Italy and central Europe (actually - Britanny, Occitanie, Friuli, Calabria and Slovakia). I've toured in the US since the mid 80s and lived here for 5 years and love old-time music. I hear connections between all of these but also love what makes them special and unique. I also love what is described as English music and have the same mixed feelings about that!

As for Carthy/Watersons and Nic Jones - all I said was that SOME of the songs they sing could be described as Celtic (meaning Scottish or Irish - whoops, there I go again). I actually love how Nic interprets Scots songs and ballads; I can't think of anyone who does a better or more sympathetic job.

Finally - did anyone listen to the first program(me)?

Jack