The present day folk music is sad and empty, musician based and produced to an academic template, not real life.

So the evening of traditional English, Irish, Scottish and French music we had the other day in our local pub - with participants of all ages - was sad and empty, was it?

Strange, as the whole pub - including the listeners clustered around the room and up at the bar - seemed to be having a whale of a time. We knew it was going really well when an informal longways set began stamping and whirling up at the top end of the room!

And, pray, what is meant by "musician based"? Were the people playing fiddle, guitar, mandolin, boxes, whistles, smallpipes and nyckelharpa not supposed to be there?

"Academic template"? Do get out more!