Mr Snail - no ; yes ; no ; and no.

I can speak only for the Manchester critics, of which I was a member at Jim Carroll's invitation.

The purpose of this, as I understood it, was to criticise - CONSTRUCTIVELY - my interpretation and presentation of the traditional songs I was at that time singing.

There were, as I remember, seven of us, and through Jim C's generosity, I has access to materials and techniques on singing which otherwise I might not. I was delighted to receive advice from singers on the Manchester scene more experienced than I, or less, as the case might be.

Dave S has the rights of it - we were there to criticise constructively one another ; analyse, and, above all else learn from those with greater experience - Ewan McColl, via Jim C, being one of these.

At no time was any criticism (with one exception, which I shall outline below) directed to any other than a Member of the Manchester Critics ; and at no time was any such criticism other than constructive. I can say whose singing I don't care for, at any time, but I would not think, now or then, of criticising another's singing.

To give an example : 'Your breathing is shit in that song, Bryn - try . . . etc.'

The criticism to which I referred in the earlier paragraph was apropos the night Jim C came to Critics and announced 'Ewan wants me down in London'.

I wouldn't dream, now or then, of criticising the singing of another. Criticism never went outside the Manchester critics membership. I can say, now and then, whose singing I do not care for.
Let it be remembered (since I shall be pulled up for repeating myself) that I said, of Ewan McColl and Peggy Seeger, I do not care for much of the non-traditional material they were responsible for. Let it further be remembered that I have posted to the effect that I have followed and damn near worshipped Martin Carthy since 9th October 1966 - my 'Sam Larner' moment.

For the last time, I hope : I never found Ewan McColl anything but courteous and helpful. If that is toeing the party line, so be it. If others had different experiences, fine.

I never said Ewan McColl was much loved - from what has been going on in this thread, anything but.

I have read the Harker biography. From what has been going on in this thread, anyone who expects me to comment on it should bear in mind the axioms :

'Only a dog comes back after a kicking'.

'Only a fool puts his balls in the mangle twice'.