I fear Dave's comment was ironic. What he he meant (forgive me, if I'm wrong) was the The Spinners weren't up to much and he risked being tagged a member of the folk gestapo for saying as much.

The attitude goes back to the 70's and 80's on the English folkscene when Carthy was out there speading the gospel of authentic traditional style music. Anything less in delivery style was frowned upon and examined rigorously for intention and and purity of purpose.

The Spinners weren't really my cup of tea, but i could see they had a contribution to make

I recollect a chat I had with MC at the time. I said well i heard the Spinners sing the Bleacher Lass of Kelvinhaugh the other day on Pebble Mill at One (a popular tv programme). Where else will people hear the song?

Carthy said, Well I sing it.

I said, Yes, but you don't get asked to sing it on Pebble Mill at One.