Arrived new to this forum, because I was trying to find out about Belinda O'Hooley's departure -- whichever way you look at it, a great pity for those who loved and admired The Bairns.

I appreciate that Mudcat is principally for dyed-in-the-mud, stick-in-the-wool folk enthusiasts, and not for Americana-loving, Cambridge-going jessies like me, but for what it's worth, I'd say the Unthanks on The Bairns can't be accused of failing to take English roots music in new directions, and performing it passionately, while being honest in their commitment to its origins.

Their musicianship and singing is a different question - I happen to think they are decent singers with strong, distinctive voices (especially Rachel), which for me is more important than absolute tunefulness. But even if you don't like their voices and don't like their sound, the music is unquestionably strong and committed and original. Anyone who reckons it is "easy-listening" or "winsome" inhabits a different universe from me.

It will be a great shame if they lose direction from losing Belinda, but for The Bairns at least, they deserve all the plaudits they get.