I've just followed Gervase's example, and read through the whole thread on the fRoots forum Nu-folk, un-folk, Mumfolk...should we?, and I now wish that I had done so before I posted earlier, because in the context of that discussion Ian's comments about blinkered attitudes on Mudcat, and elsewhere, are spot on, although rather vehemently expressed. So GUEST,grumpy was really somewhat mischievous in starting this thread...

For what it is worth the fRoots thread discusses whether fRoots magazine should feature certain artists categorised as "nu-folk" such as Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, Noah and the Whale, and the Bombay Bicycle Club. The consensus on the fRoots forum seems to be that the folk and traditional roots influences on these singers is so remote as to be undetectable. Nevertheless I note that a Mumford and Marley fan has joined in the memorial thread on Peter Bellamy to berate the current folk scene for its insularity.

This might be a discussion better continued here than on that thread. I'm not familiar with any of the "nu-folk" artists mentioned above, but if somebody wishes to champion their cause I'm willing to listen - but not if they can only do so by denigrating the achievements of others.

Matthew