r Borinson's Back Passages

Far be it from Dr Borinson to suggest that there are anoraks out there in the folk world but some of you may be bored or boring enough to check out the curiosities we bring to your attention here. We make no excuses except to suggest that perhaps in your explorations you may come across some unexpected delights and learn some things to avoid.

Has anyone noticed the similarity between the instrumental passages of early Fairport Convention, Traffic and Kula Shaker? (No not the twiddly diddly bits, you oaf. Kula Shaker couldn't do twiddly diddly bits if Captain O'Neil himself programmed them into their best sequencer.)

Has anyone noticed the similarity between the lead guitar sound on John Martyn's "Sugar Lump" (Bless The Weather) to Richard Thompson's early guitar sound?

Has anyone noticed the similarity between Chuck Berry's "No Particular Place To Go" and Chuck Berry's "Schooldays"? (OK, I know Chuck's not big on the folk scene but that doesn't mean he's not worth listening to.)

Has anyone noticed the similarity between Eric Bogle's "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" and any good song? (No, I didn't think so.) (Sorry Mr Bogle, I'm sure you're a lovely and talented man but I've hated that song for longer than I care to remember.)

Has anyone noticed the similarity between "Post-Modern Sleaze" by Sneaker Pimps and any number of Pentangle tracks? (I told you you might find some unexpected delights.)

Has anyone noticed the similarity between what Paul Simon did with South African music on "Graceland" in '86 with what Lizzie Mercier Descloux did on her 1984 album? ( Now if you get that one you've got a real anorak on your hands, and yes, I know she's not the only one.)

Finally in this bit, and fair enough if you don't care, but does "Right Hand Man" by Joan (One Of Us) Osborne sound a bit like Free?