That's certainly one way of looking at it, Howard.

The thing that makes me doubt it though is the songwriting.

Ewan had this background in theatre and busking and God knows what else. Anyway he was used to seeing the proscenium arch. Its a sense that you develop as a song writer - you can imagine the theatre of expression - whether your song is coming out of a radio speaker, being sang from the stage of a theatre, sang in a night club, sang in a folk club, sang to your mates at work....whatever.

Any kind of songwriter has to develop that - not just folk. Such a lot of the 'in the tradition' songwriting just plays the sedulous ape to older styles.

Having a good idea for a song isn't enough. you have to be able to imagine that little gasp of delight, that light in the eyes that a good song has. i think I'm talking about inspiration, wanting not just to trigger that 'welcome you're a member of the club' sort of response.

Ewan had good ideas AND he could do the other thing. that's why so many other people do his stuff.