Just to get that link right: http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/inart558

Respect where respect is due. I suspect that when our friend De Bono asks does this tosser know anything about FOLK music? he means what happens in the name of Folk Revival rather than Folk Tradition, which are, of course, two entirely different things - the latter is cultural heritage of world importance, the former is a faked up fantasy of interest to a dwindling number of enthusiasts.

Jim is ever fond of quoting my litany of genres that might occur as Folk Music in a Designated Folk Context. I might add that right now my earlier optimism in this respect has darkened to an all-consuming despair that has had me avoiding nebulous anything-goes folk clubs for the past three months and looks set to continue into 2010. Just as I won't use the word Gay to mean joyful, I will not use the word folk to mean Traditional.

Happy Xmas ane an' a'