oh and I think it's a disingenuous thread title:

"free rare old folk album downloads"

To describe something as "free" when it's being given away without the authorisation or knowledge of the person who made it is very misleading.

It also encourages a "take without paying" attitude. There's nothing stopping you getting in touch with Bob Pegg, or many of the other names you mention, and giving them a fiver via paypal.

I'd have a lot more patience with unauthorised copyright-infringing download sites if they encouraged people to do so. Or if they had the courage to contact the musicians whose product they distribute. Or if they volunteered to set up paypal accounts for them, or at the very least posted up a link to their website.

they never do. but they do often ask for donations to pay for the webpage space.