I loved the album when it came out - and I love it still. I loved the combination of Davy's great and original guitar playing and Shirley's voice. At that time, I was really "into" the mixing of musical styles and culture.

As well as "Nottamun Town" and "Pretty Saro", there were great guitar solos to get my teeth into, like "Blue Monk" and "Grooveyard". I played it all recently and still like it.

Let me be clear: I knew Davy in London in the late '60s and was treated charmingly by him - and he could be a funny sod. After the heroin taking kicked in (let's not be coy here), I was saddened by the degradation in his playing - and I don't think he ever recovered that initial panache. Later albums also became derivative.

BUT - "The Guitar Player", "Folk, Blues and Beyond" and "Folk Roots, New Routes" were ground-breaking in their day and inspired many, many guitar players to get out there and do it. So - I raise my glass to Davy and Shirley and, if you don't care for it? Tough!