Have been with you since the beginning (not just the second coming… ) but probably won’t be renewing. Not because you’re doing anything wrong, just because the world/folk music scenes ain’t as exciting as they were 10 to 20 years ago. Lots of new artists, vast numbers of CDs, but too few labels willing/able to recruit **good producers** who can lift something ‘competent’ into the realms of being really interesting.

I have boxes of CDs which got 4 star ratings in your mag but only got listened to a few times. I think of them as technically very competent demos not ‘proper’ albums. So for the last year or so I’ve only bought ones with 5-star reviews that appeal to me. That’s cut down my purchaes a lot!

Of what I did buy only Sam Sweeney did not pale quickly. The fairly new Oysterband and June Tabor outing is also brill – but as that’s largely just the Good Old Days of 20 years ago revisted – albeit very well ‘revisited’!! – then it simply reinforces that the youngsters of today aren’t getting the support from labels that will make them great.

Do what thou wilt with my opinions

Bob