"I can understand his forming the Critics Group in a bid to remedy the situation"
I really do suggest that you re-visit some of the threads on this forum and look at some of the arguments on using crib sheets, expecting singers to have learned and remember the words and tunes before they are put before an audience, practicing in public........ and all the other aspects of running and attending folk clubs.
We recently had a singing week-end here with a number of visitors and guests from the UK - an extremely enjoyable event - with the exception of the concert at which I sat next to a well-known and accomplished UK singer who audibly joined in on every song that was sung, and if she didn't know the words she hummed the tune loudly.
I understand that it is now the case that a singer has to ask an audience not to join in if he/she wshes to 'sing solo' at many UK clubs nowadays - and then they are not guaranteed to be allowed to do so - is that true?
MacColl did not set up The Critics Group to remedy anything - he did so because a number of singers on the scene asked him to take classes.
One of my greatest criticisms of Ewan and the Group was that they took no part in the public debates that were happening in the 60s, 70s and 80s - whatever work they did, conclusions they reached or opinions they held on the folk scene were seldom discussed outside the meetings and club nights.
Matt
"as did Peggy Seeger when I saw her gig recently."
I assume you are referring to her folder of quotes, newspaper cuttings, anecdotes, bon mots.. etc which she now uses as part of her act.
In my 40-odd year association with Peggy and Ewan I never saw either use crib-sheets (with the possible exception of Ewan's 'Song of the Travels' to which he added a new verse each time the Singers Club moved venue and sang on the first night of the move)
We got a chance to leaf through her "bulging lyrics folder" at a recent concert she gave here - not a lyric in sight. I would be interested if anybody has actually seen her use a crib-sheet - she didn't during that evening, though she did pepper her performance with some hilarious and apposite quotes from her folder.
Jim Carroll