"I am assuming his reason for fooling MacColl, was to expose the nonsense of categorising singers, he did this successfully, he fooled none other than Ewan"
Even if this piece of wild speculation had any basis whatever, how vindictive was it to use an important subject like Travellers as a means of making a point?
Ewan had 'difficulties' with many people in the revival, Brune included - see hedgehog story above - personally, I believe it was n act of spite on Brune's part, made even more mindless by Brune's insistence that he was concerned with the plight of Traveller.
Sorry Cap'n - another anti-MacColl apologist with no evidence to back up your speculation.
As far as Bob Blake is concerned, I've no knowlege of the man so I am unable to offer an opinion as to whether he was or wasn't a traditional singer. I do know of many singers, in Ireland, Scotland and England, who have learned their songs in a similar fashion to him and whose pedigree as 'traditional is not only unquestioned, but who are often held up as living proof that the singing traditions in these islands are still thriving. Even if I was not heading off in the morning for a few days break in Inishowen, I certainly would not be prepared to discuss their standing in the tradition any more than I would Bob Blake's.
I agree completely with Vic's suggestion on the matter - a minefield.
Trust you will have come up with some hard evidence by the time I get back Cap'n.
Jim Carroll