"My vote is that the decision to study music considered 'English' must embrace relevant informing and comparative cultures. The way individuals and communities 'claim' music is probably worth a PhD on its own! "

Quite so, Mike. My conclusion has been that regionality of style is a consequence of local interaction between musicians/singers. This even pertains within the late 20th folk revival - where we can show stylistic commonplaces within a narrow area.

The de-localisation of the late 20th Century; the increase in geographic mobility; the dissolution of local support and familial networks (for the general populace rather than the exceptional traveller)- all mitigate against the development or even the maintenance of regional characteristics as it all becomes one homogenous mess.

The obsessive promotion of regional claims (Black Velvet Band is Irish, Two Magicians is Scottish, a tune by a Cornish name must be Cornish, etc.) is an understandable rection to this dis-integration of regional identity - the trouble is it often throws up claims that cannot be substantiated.

Oh dear, I'm sounding like an academic again!

TomB