Jim, not all folk music is song. As I said earlier, music and dance is equally important and seems to be unaffected by the gloom you report to unaccompanied song.

As to "One of the obvious examples of damage that things like folk rock has done ids to create an oppressive atmosphere", I am not sure where to start. The fact that someone who likes folk rock has offended you becomes the fault of the folk rock genre is a leap of faith that not many could make.

Jack. I think of Runrig as a folk rock band in that they seem to tick both boxes. Maybe others think differently. On the subject of world folk I think you may like Hanggai from Mongolia and Guilhem Desq (France?) on his electric hurry gurdy!