In common with most people at the time this thread started, and perhaps still in common with many, I have not heard Megan and Joe. I greatly look forward to doing so; the definition of folk is in such disarray that it won't greatly matter how I then categorise them. Even without having heard them, I can say that their achievement in the Folk Awards alone means I would happily feature them at my website - and that describes itself as covering folk, folk-rock and roots.

But what has actually changed? I remember Therapy - Dave, Sam and Fiona - playing for the first time at a club, the Spinning Wheel, which I then ran in Darlington, Co Durham. They were at least two-thirds of the way into their first set before they recahed Blackwater Side "for anyone who strayed in here hoping to hear a folk song". Prior to that, they had concentrated mainly on pop (including Cat Stephens and their own material if my memory is correct). And that was close on 40 years ago.

Folk clubs, or at least the ones that have tended to appeal most to me, have always offered platforms for interesting music that would struggle to be called folk on practically any definition. In the absence of a definition on which we seem able to agree, the BBC awards should perhaps be no different.

I can see no problem with robust opinions being expressed on Mudcat. I have dealt out some, and also been on the receiving end. Occasionally, as happened at moments in the Unthanks debate, it descends into something a little nastier. But that is a price I am willing to accept for freedom of expression for anything short of malicious untruths, mindless abuse and incitement to racial hatred or violence.

Mudcat is, overwhelmingly, a force for good. And I am delighted that people such as Jim Moray and Eliza Carthy, and Folkiedave for that matter, are willing to step forward and contribute to the discussions.

Colin Randall
Salut! Live