I expect that the singers' expectation was that a few songs was acceptable and I think they were right. After all, we are not talking wall-to-wall choruses, 50 verse ballads or interminable parodies but a few traditional songs sung by people who were also there as instrumentalists.

Paul that is your view. I know that it was not a general one and I hope you would agree that a good session is a delcate balance and it would be a shame if this move towards regular singers - were to lead to conflict and these sessions becoming less than they have been as a result?

For my concern is less for what has gone - which cannot be changed - but for the future. As has been pointed out - there is room for other forms of music - in the bar (sometimes in the barn) and in the garden.

Your accusation that it is I that wish to impose my tastes upon this session by playing tunes with fellow session members who have attended to also play tunes - is frankly very silly. Perhaps this accusation may have some justification - if next year I also decide that I will treat this session to a song - immediately after one is inflicted and urge others to also do this - if doing this considered a right? This would quickly result in a quite different session and if other posters are correct - there is nothing that Steve could do about it......

There is no need for this to escalate - if folk accept the limitations of what form a session is intended to take and respect the wishes of their fellow session members. Problems only occur when this respect is not shown and personal needs are thought to be more important than the session's requirements. The occasional song may indeed be acceptable - but why not leave who sings it and when (or if it is sung at all) - to the session's leader?