I guess this thread is passed it's sell-by-date, so to speak but it may stumble on as such threads do.

Before it looses most of the original point I have been failing to make:

1. I really rate and enjoy Bellowhead - but best by far live
2. They do amazing things to old songs
3. They are accomplished musicians

But, but:

They have recorded quite a few songs that are unfamiliar and quite a few that many of us have been singing for a long time.

Does this matter? I guess not really but its a bit like The Rolling Stones recording a covers album of songs popular in pubs and clubs - not exactly but a bit.

I suppose we have been spoiled by some many singers and musicians trawling books and MS of old songs and recording songs and tunes that those of us who only sing a bit can then get them from their records and sing them as we like.