I certainly am no expert myself...I've heard my interest peaked recently by the album from Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker (after they were announced for Eotr). I've previously dismissed really traditional folk music as archaic and unoriginal...but I was mistaken. Enjoyed stuff from, to name a few, The Young 'Uns, Harry Harris, Bella Hardy, Peggy Seeger, Sam Sweeney and Kathyrn Tickell.

One thing I will say...there's so much more going on under the surface here. Constant gigs, festivals and albums being released. It's a hive of musical activity that I wasn't aware of until I went looking. So who else is into this kind of thing. What/who are the essential albums/artists to get your teeth into when looking for the most breathtaking and inventive folk music out there?