Are we over-analysing our music. Perhaps I'm a simple soul, but I just like to get out there and sing or play folk music. I don't overly care how it's presented, be it an unaccompanied singer, a singer accompanying himself (or herself) with an instrument, a group of musicians/singers or any combination of the above.

It matters little to me where it's from be it an English song that's crossed the Atlantic and come back again, a French tune, an Irish/Scottish/Welsh song, it's all grist to my mill.

It doesn't bother me if it's played on an instrument that is not considered 'traditional'; my life would be poorer, for example, if the Greek bouzouki hadn't made its journey to Ireland (and then everywhere else) and into Planxty and the Bothy Band; I love the saxophone in many English dance bands.

I hope that I respect the various traditions, but I'm a musician, not an historian, so I'm happy that they are living traditions and, as such, are evolving.

I've been in love with folk music for something approaching forty years. Recently I've been reading seemingly endless threads analysing the music I so love, I found myself beginning to question why I stick with this music. So I'm resolved to stop reading these often negative threads and get out there singing and playing.