Tom, I wonder what these presumably 'bad' "external influences" are that must not be allowed to sully the 'purity' of folk music? Ewan MacColl was certainly critical of some gypsy singers who, in his opinion, were too influenced by the styles of crooners and music hall. But was he right to be critical? We are all influenced, surely, consciously or not, by all we hear. Is the logical end of this kind of 'purity' that 'folk' should only sing unaccompanied, as that's the way (British Isles and Irish) collectors heard their sources? Are Bellowhead not folk, because they are jazz influenced (oh dear, and is trad. jazz a type of folk music?!)? Should Nic Jones, Martin Carthy et al have kept their guitars in their cases to save sullying the purity of English song? Does it matter, as long as the songs are sung and loved?