Very interesting Phil.

who is d and b?

I first saw Tony in 1965 at the folk club in Exmouth. He'd just done his first year teaching, and I think he had come down for his summer hols. Playing a beat up old Levin. Ken Penny and the other guy from the The Jolly Porter were there (The Journeymen!).

I fully believe all that stuff about Paul Downes (knowing all the Tony Rose /Martin Carthy stuff). What a wonderful guitarist! I was at the Weymouth fest a couple of years ago and Paul was, doing his Anji/segueing into Cocaine Blues routine.

I made Derek Brimstone just sit down and listen. Cos he does/did an Anji/segueing into Lullaby of Birdland routine. Del's no slouch at guitar playing, but he was blown away by Mr Downes.

About twenty years (okay over thirty!) years ago. I was talking to Martin Carthy about you and Paul and I was saying how Paul was pissed off you weren't getting gigs on the Devon folkscene (the JP in particular). He was saying how he could understand your problem and how you weren't getting the respect you deserved, because the JP gang were so immersed in the trad thing, and so narrow minded.

Really it was microcosm of the problems that have beset the scene ever since.

Great to hear from you - drop into the Mudcat more often!