i reckon in my years, i've heard two good versions of blackwaterside - and several thousand rubbish ones.

one was obviously jansch - a talented guitarist. the other was an unaccompanjed one by Roscommon Brummie, Tommy Dempsey.

all those rubbish ones - you really have to wonder -wouldn't the people have been better off singing something a bit easier. its a case of diminishing returns.

what can they be feeling singing such a song in such a way? national pride in our folksong heritage? satisfaction that they aren't singing karaoke?

the hunted look in their eyes betrays the fact that they know damn well no ones enjoying it.

Waylon Jennings wrote a song about the way country music was going called ARE YOU SURE HANK DONE IT THIS WAY?

ARE YOU SURE EWAN WANTED IT THIS WAY?