I have received a letter of interest from Simon Pierre, who wrote me in French and aske dif I owuld forward an English translation for an idea he has which I think is worth attention. He says:

I take the liberty o fwriting in French since I believe you know it well. For my part, it is frustrating not to be able to express myself well in English, and by the same token not be able to fully participate in Mudcate discussions. BUthere -- it's about something I have been thinking in regard to discussions found under the "Memorable Mudcat Threads" archive, where I have been able to read these -- to say the least -- extraordinary debates about folk music. It is the first time to my knowledge that anyone from simple amateurs to professionals can be found freely discussing a subject reserved for academicians (the definition of folk music) or industry professionals (what is or isn't "good").

The debates have a powerful richness to them and their interest really surpasses the constraints of a forum of simple discussion. I laughed my self silly over "FS For Dummies" and a cried at "Why We Sing", reflecting deeply all along. The three years of Mudcat demonstrate that whatever its members think, FOlk music is very much alive and that seeing its present it has an assured future.

So, here's what--you made an explicit allusion in "Mudcat's Horoscope": Why not make from it a book which would be an excellent guide to what traditional music is like today? The profits could be directed to the Mudcat site, if it were self-published, but it seems to me this could equally well interest an editor who could provide it a wider distribution.

I don't know if this idea is worth something, but if that is the case, could you submit it for discussion? My English doesn't allow me to write messages this long easily, and I apologise for the length of this one.

Regards, Pierre"

I replied to him in my rusty apache French to the effect that:

" I will try to respond in French with the proviso that you forgive my gross errors.

The idea you express seems very valid to me--the only problem that I see in it is how to manage the affair in such a way that the people who are the soul of the Mudcat will contribute in any kind of an organized fashion. Clearly they are individuals who are, for the most part, nearly mad, and certainly proud, individualistic, people, if you see what I mean...I believe it woudl be possible, but it would demand an enormous ability to energize, and motivate them. The only person I know to have these powers is the Gaelic Goddess, Madame Áine.

Perhaps she would be interested in taking the job in hand.

I will try to communicate the idea in a new thread, in English since I feel so much more confidant using it, and let us see what comes of it!

Thanks for your communication -- it is appreciated. Please excuse my rusty French"

Well, Catters, I think this bold Gallic cousin has some real insight here -- the notion that our own nest of wild untrammeled vituperation, intellect, whimsy and sentiment could in fact be turned into literature kind of appeals, and I think the notion actually might have merit on a literary basis. It was good enough for the Algonquin Club, and I would put Catspaw up against Ford Maddox Ford and Jimmy "Goggles" Thurber any f***ing day of the week.
MMario and LEJ and their ilk are even funnier than Dorothy Parker.

I am therefore forwarding this notion to your attention with recomemendations for serious consideration.

A