Ruth and Amy Notman and their mother have been stalwart supporters of the folkscene, like for ages round here. Yes they have been in folk clubs! Grrrr! be nice to people!

Tony - you disappoint me. No Agadoo! Like the rest of the folkscene you are going to leave these old folksongs just to the ordinary folk. That can't be right.

That is no way for qualify for an honorary degree in Folk Music and Moral Superiority.

The reason of course that the combined might of the middle classes can't get the folkscene out of the shit is that no one is capable of producing a song a tenth as catchy as Agadoo. The last time I saw people literally queuing round the block to get in a folk club was when Jasper Carrot was doing a gig the week Funky Moped was at number One.

Part of the reason folkclubs in the 1960's were so popular was that there were people like Dylan, Jansch, Donovan, the Spinners, the Corries etc. were producing memorable and commercially successful music. Joe Public felt that they were in touch with folkmusic. If you could get your collective heads above the idea that the tradition (good or bad) has to be protected and concentrate on finding the talent that would entertain your audiences - perhaps there would be interstices for more esoteric artists to work in.

A great starting place would be Una Walsh's voice in No Fixed Abode. Possibly technically the best voice on the folkscene. I've seen that voice unaccompanied stop a noisy pub full of drinkers dead in their tracks. And then get a standing ovation. No need for Agadoo - or any pandering to public foolishness. Carthy or Garbutt couldn't do that.

Why ain't they playing your club? Could it be your guestlist is a bit well....predictable!