Jim - please re read what I said (including my apology for a word poorly chosen) - I'm very keen that we don't fall out about this - we have different views but I very much respect yours. I didn't wish to downplay the importance of traditional song - I was merely expressing a personal preference eg I would say that Jez Lowe's 'Last of the Widows' is up there with the 'Trimdon Grange Explosion'

I'm sorry that you think something I have said is 'not my place' I have written about, promoted and generally supported folk music for around 43 years. I think I do have some entitlement to an opinion especially one gently and thoughtfully expressed

Have a great time in Dublin. I will probably be listening to Jim Moray's superb CD of traditional songs so we won't be so far apart musically. Let's not fall out about this - I know I have been a bit sharp in the past but that was wrong and I do genuinely hope we can discuss this in a friendly atmosphere - we are coming from very different places but we have lots of common ground