Jim: Yes, but McCarthyism, like other nuts of the period attributed all questionable activities to Communist plots. Juvenile delinquency, drugs, rebellousness, but especially sex. These were all induced to corupt Americans and bring about the downfall of our society. It was a true witch hunt - eg, publishing a sex magazine was often considered legal proof the publisher was a Communist.

Bruce: As I recall, McCurdy didn't write any of those tunes himself but he did credit the composer. I disremember at the moment who. Very late in life he regretted the whole "Dalliance" series as smutty & he wished he hadn't done it. His memory, however, was of their shocking over-the-counter impact at the time. He went and listened to some again and decided they really weren't so bad after all.

The Ewan McColl "Merry Muses" actually was sold over the counter. At least at Goodies, New York where I bought it. It was rare and sold under a semi-fictitious record label. I have never found another copy, however. It's one of my real prizes.