The musicianship (in players AND singers) is superb or do people have a problem with that?

So much is what you personally like and don't rather than the quality of the whole.

I enjoyed Martha Wainwright MORE than I thought I might. Last time I watched her on the TV I thought she was much better at swearing than singing and this series revised that view (it could be my memory and she might not have sworn in a song but it's what I remember). Quality voice.

In two previous series Iris Dement has been on. Personally, I find her voice hugely annoying - horrible weak whiney voice to my ears - but I know lots of people love her voice and style. But she can sing.

I prefer Emmylou Harris as a backing singer rather than as a soloist (heresy!) but can appreciate that she is highly skilled.

Russ Baremberg does nothing flash but is wonderful. Michael McGoldrick is startling. I personally think Jerry Douglas is wonderful (I had never heard about him before series 2 because I didn't listen to that sort of music), astoundingly tasteful and always adds rather than detracts from music but I know people who don't share that view. Karen Mathieson always makes me smile. Jenna Reid is mighty fine. I'm not sure I like Julie Fowlis' change of haircut since the last series but it hasn't affected the pleasure I have from her singing. Without the makeup, under the lighting I think Aly Bain might be ageing slightly but he can still play beautifully.

I downloaded the friday episode but have only flicked through it so far but there is a tune set with Mike McG on flute whizzing along at a huge pace which I know I will return to many times in the future and smile.

I could go on but won't.

As a body of stuff the four series have presented an excellent range of music and surely it's good to enjoy what is there rather than bemoan what isn't?

I will be launching a game soon called Fantasy Transatlantic Sessions where we can see how good the moaners are. :)

Like in many of these things why don't you ask the participants? Many of them are both relatively contactable and approachable and would give a more balanced view of the reality than the equivalent of the football couch potatoes that seem to be grumbling here.

It stuns me the lack of ego and mutual respect that is shown and the joy they have in what they do.

It could be worse - compare what someone like Gary Moore used to do when he invited some of his supposed blues idols to play with him where he seemed to be trying very hard to blow them off the stage with volume and pyrotechnics; but that is a different story.