Cap'n
Was going to reply, but was saved the trouble - thanks Richard.
Bob,
'Purist' and 'hard line traddy' are terms like 'finger-in-ear' which have become knee-jerk reactions whenever the suggestion that it is necessary to do some work in order to sing traditional songs raises its ugly head; all basically are meangless.
The 'purist' clubs I experienced were the ones where you were body searched for musical instruments, or presented with a form to fill in saying you wouldn't sing anything less than a hundred years old - long gone I hope. I do not recall anybody advocating either of these conditions for the running of a good club; certainly not on this thread.
As far as I'm concerned, apart from the satisfaction and pleasure I get from listening to traditional songs, I believe the traditional form of compostion is ideal for the creation of new songs; hardly purist.
On the question of what constitutes 'traditional' and 'folk'; that's a matter of finding a consensus on terms in order that we can all continue to speak to and understand one another.
Can't see what's wrong with taking enjoyment seriously - I'd have thought a seriouse approach to performance was part of the job description of being 'professional'.
Jim Carroll