Now I can die happy - someone calling themselves 'punkfolkrocker' is into Emma Kirkby! Good on you! What is she singing these days?

Pardon the oldtimer's memory, but I first saw her in the 1970s at St Martin in the Fields. This young, stunning pre-Raphaelite angel came onto the stage, in white robes with cascading red-gold hair down to her waist. I sat with my mouth open, not sure she could possibly be real. Then she started singing, and I fell off my chair.

I do understand the folk connection. At that time there were two great female singers with a pure arresting voice tone. One was Maddy Prior, and the other was Emma Kirkby, both still going strong. In those days they were singing very different stuff. Nowadays it wouldn't surprise me to come across a duet.

Cheers,
Chris