I came here to do something else, but must point out Romanyman that you used to attend and apparently enjoy the sessions at the Nag's Head that Richard Bridge ran where standards varied from the sublime (Crow Sister, or Brian and Marion Rodgers, or John Barden's golden tonsils) to the abysmal like Richard himself (I have his permission to say that - although he is sometimes doing something interesting with the guitar) and possibly some (no names, no pack drill) even worse - and what is more the locals used apparently to enjoy it and even joined in - one turning out to be a more than acceptable guitarist/singer.

Diane, you should know that the capitalist credo that you only get what you pay for is false. Being expensive makes nothing any better. Being cheap does not make it worse. The liars and cheats of "selective distribution systems" pretend otherwise, but it is only a marketing ploy. A performer is as good as he or she is, and all strive.

A partly valid point is made above that the preponderance of young modern virtuosos seem to be instrumentalists not singers, but the relatively young Jon Loomes turns as fine a ballad as any (as well as bing a killer guitarist and fine multi-instrumentalist) and I recollect a young (very young) unaccompanied local singer at the last Miskin who told a tale as moving as any I have heard: Tori something.

We see other talents to be found posting here - like MGAS. I don't suppose any of them need to be told how to sing or play a folk song or tune, and stifled by the dead hand of pedagogy. That is the point. They have found their own ways.

But I'd still like to know where this revival is.