Guest. Let me try to explain the point I was making.

If you read this editorial in isolation, yes it is an attack on young musicians. Some people interpretted it as a generation thing, or that he was bitter. I disagree. This editorial is only par for the course for IA. As I said, I've been around folk music for 30 odd years, he has been around it for all of that time, and has consistantly made the same complaints. Who they are aimed at this week isn't particularly relevant. This week, young musicians, next week .........

It's his standard complaint sheet about not enough innovation, you fill in the blanks as to where to aim it next. I don't see him as bitter, or particularly attacking young musicians. Just IA being IA and firing off at somebody/anybody who doesn't meet his personal view of where folk music should be, or where it is going.

I think a point that should not be missed in all this, is that Ian Anderson is incredibly dedicated. Over many years he has worked damned hard to play and promote his view of how music should be played. He was not parachuted into the job of editor of Folk Roots. He built it, and before that 'Southern Rag'. He has spent thousands of hours, and I would guess, thousands of pounds of his own money to achieve what he has done. I don't agree with him, but I most certainly respect him.

Once again, he has stuck his head above the parapit, made his views known, and got the rest of us talking. He's also got free worldwide publicity for himself and his mag.

Another IA success!

Brian