I think I have a different understanding/definition of fusion when I said it has no place in folk music. There was a good programme on BBC Alba in a "psuedo pub setting", the name of which I couldn't even begin to try and spell let alone pronounce. Had some brilliant acts though the camera tracking got wearisome at times. Every so often they would have what I call fusion music, bands trying to combine the musical cultures of two different continents.

I think Captain Swing is confusing fusion with development. You also got one thing almost right, the one thing that should be banned from all Western European music is the bouzouki. It has has much place in our music than the bagpipes do in a Mozart opera. I can't recall the guy's name now who is responsible for introducing it into folk music but I saw an interview on t.v. where he said it was his greatest regret. They should all be collected up and burnt in one big ritual ceremony.

Purely by chance I came across an album called "Rubber Folk", produced I think by Mike Harding it was a bunch of folk artists including John Tamm and Ralph McTell covering the Beatles' Rubber Soul Album. Interesting and very good in parts but it doesn't make it folk music.

Okay..that should set a few more cats amongst the pigeons...