According to fRoots magazine: "Sam is the most accomplished and authentic interpreters of traditional English song to emerge in years" while the producer Joe Boyd described him as "A wonderful singer and fascinating character."

A BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winner who collects new versions of old songs on his iPhone and laptop, his repertoire is steeped in folklore and history and inspired by the natural world.

Many of his songs have been handed on to him by members of the Traveller and Gypsy communities, often learnt from his mentor, Stanley Robertson.