Interesting that Don has posted. Don was a folk singer before the committee at the heart of the old empire sat down and dictated what it was.

I repeat for Michael's deaf eyes. In 1954 most folk had yet to be written. Contemporary folk was a phenomenon still to be realised. Dirty Old Town was a song from a musical written five years previously for theatre workshop and music of the working people in their definition was inclusive of much of the population of the day. The infamous banana boats were being commissioned though and British culture was getting ready for change.

Over the pond, we were still a few years from Baez and Dylan, but The Grand Old Oprey had heard of Guthrie et al and the blues men were moving North.

Meanwhile, a motion to discuss the extent Vaughan Williams originality versus sympathy for tradition had been tabled with assent from the chair and one intention to abstain on artistic grounds

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