Singarounds by definition are singarounds, I suppose. A more concert orientated format is where you can cram in the punters who have heard of the act and help pay by turning up but wouldn't necessarily enjoy the wide spread of folk.

We get people who love sitting in turn hearing traditional and other songs, orally or otherwise yet wouldn't dream of paying to go to a concert and we have those who love concerts but fail to see the attraction of a singaround, whether they would join in or otherwise.

Its a broad world out there. The last time I saw Vin Garbutt, I was speaking at the bar with a couple who had seen him at a charity concert, having never heard of him and were hooked, buying his records. They heard he wss on at a more "folk club" venue, and they had never been to one before... They were complaining in the bar that the "support" as they put it were "crap" and "is that the best the promotors could find?"

I wasn't angry with them. They paid to go to a concert with no preconditions and commented on the entertainment value of what they heard.

That is perhaps the thing about guest nights.. A departure from the inclusive sharing of song, living the oral tradition dream and into the world of entertainment.

You might encourage Doris to sing it tonight but tomorrow afternoon, its back to June Tabor on your HiFi.