Well said, Anahata, I saw the Devils' Interval at Dartmoor Festival and they are stunning.

And well said, Dave and others - English music and dance are great, and endlessly interesting and varied if you really get into it. As for new tunes - well, if I set out to learn a new English tune every day, I'd have no trouble finding enough for several years' worth.

I think that one reason I like English dance music is that it is still just that - dance music. Many of those who play it are also used to playing for dancing and know how to keep the feel of the dance in their playing even when they play in sessions. Sure, you could play most of the tunes faster if you wanted to, but they'd flatten out and lose some of their bounce and vigour.

The way Irish music is often played in sessions appeals to some because of the way it pounds along so breathlessly, but to my ears it seldom has any feel of being dance music because it's all about speed. It has a pulse but, to many English ears, no real dance rhythm.

This difference is only what you'd expect, because English dance (morris, clog and other ritual dance as well as ceilidh/country dancing) is still very much alive in England, whereas Irish dance in England is restricted mainly to certain communities and organisations with strong Irish connections.

It's encouraging to see that at weddings, parties, anniversaries etc there's a big demand for English Ceildh bands and dancing. Many of the guests probably don't realise that it's mostly English music they're dancing to, but English tunes (played at the right speed) are the ones to really get them dancing with energy and "lift".

Great stuff.

Marje