'just what tradition do you think you belong to? Singing Dick Miles' 'Battle of Bosworth Field' in an American accent struck me as a little strange. nice guitar playing though'

well that particular guitar was made in china (hand made someons hands made it!) - although - the chinese nicked the guitar design - (i am reliably informed) from the martin company.

i tend to think of myself as a member of the global village - although I have supported myself most of my life by singing for English audiences - who usually have understood me - even if I wasn't always appreciated.

for your information English working class people have sang in American accents for over a hundred years now - since American acts got very popular of the English music hallin the 1880's. Ian Campbell once told me his Dad's main singing was Al Jolson.

dick Miles's song and his vision of Richard was very 20th century - i seem to recall I was trying to sound english on that recording. Obviously not echt deutsch enough for the folk police.

anyway - i stick by what i said - if you wanna sing The wind that Shakes the Barley , Richard. you should feel free to sing it. You never know - you never know - that might be the missing part of the jigsaw - the bit we're all looking for to render our folk culture comprehensible.