one of his pastimes is stating his views in such a way that people who wouldn't often swear at others in a face to face discussion might be thus provoked?

Hardly my intention anyway, Les - but typical enough around here it would seem where one must constantly tread on eggshells. I honestly thought we were having a fun chat; obviously not...

Jim Eldon speaks to my heart, he always has, both in his own songs and his masterful essaying of traditional material in which he surpasses (in my opinion) pretty much anyone else in the revival. He is, in short, my icon of what a Folk Singer ought to be. Ewan Macoll, on the other hand, took away my will to live on various occasions; his own songs are as heavy handed and outmoded as his political agenda, and as often as I've basked in his balladry it's too much of a put-on to take seriously when I hear it now. Just my opinion though, to which I am no doubt welcome.