Richard - you're a great bloke -but calling someone a wanker - it doesn't help the debate its not engaging with the argument.

I agree with much of what you say about the necessarily ever changing nature of a living artform.

my views on the nature of folk music - is I guess well known and has irritated enough people on Mudcat.

I think maybe I was wrong to state my opinions. I don't want to disrespect a set of ideas that enables a great musician like Brian Peters to accomplish what he does.

I suppose I am hoping for abit much for people to understand that my vision of folk music which takes its inspiration from the jazz and cowboy music, blues and music hall songs which my parents sang and danced to - I perceive as MY roots. Nothing can stop me being English.
Nothing can stop anyone who is English being English.
For example - compare how Wizz Jones plays a blues - compared to Blind Lemon Jefferson.

Just as Brian and Martin Carthy have the ideas which form the basis of how they express themselves I have my set of ideas. And it sustains a vigorous strain in English folk music.

English folk music is more multi faceted artform than many people can take aboard.