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James Alexander's entertaining article claims that Jimi Hendrix is the exception to the rule that unlike English guitarists, no Americans have "the right spirit, able to serve and transcend music at the same time".

I agree there is something to be said for the idea that Britain refines raw music from North America. But it is plain wrong to say that Hendrix alone is worthy of Alexander's list. Listen to the fingering of Joe Walsh and Carlos Santana, not to mention Joni Mitchell from north of the border.

Bruce Scholten, Honorary research fellow, Durham University.