"Like one of the above postings I would also know what Billy Bragg has to do with folk music? It seems that because his views are generally in line with many of MacColl's disciples he has become a spokesperson for the "Folk Scene""

I suppose you mean by this that Billy Bragg espouses 'left wing' politics? Well, I posed the original question and I am proud to be one of "MacColl's disciples", but I've still got no idea what Billy Bragg has got to do with folk music. Actually, the word "disciple" is a bit too emotive for me (particularly given all the crap that people believe about MacColl). MacColl was my favourite singer and I very much admired his theories on traditional song and how it should be performed.

Before anyone else asks, I'll ask the $64000 question: was MacColl a folk singer? Now that would make an interesting debate, wouldn't it?

But hang on, I think I know the answer(s)!

(i) I like folk music and I liked Ewan MacColl - so, Ewan MacColl must have been a folk singer!

(ii) Ewan MacColl wrote some great songs about 'real people's lives' - so, Ewan MacColl must have been a folk singer!

It's great this 'logic', isn't it? I'm glad we cleared that up!