Before you go Jim...

First I think you might reflect on the fact that my decision to join this debate is entirely down to your frequent rudeness to folk 'users,' specially musicians and club organisers.

Someone has now been a little unkind to you, but I hope you're big enough to let that slip by.

What I really want is a clarification on this:

"you allow modern songs written in a traditional style to be Folk" Didn't say that, nor do I believe it; I recognise it as being a not strictly accurate, but not importantly so, part of the Wiki definition that you put up. I said that if I go to a folk club I expect to hear songs based on traditional songs - doesn't make them traditional in any way."

You seem to be using the words Folk and Traditional as I do here: Folk includes 'based on traditional, but 'traditional' is unique. Is that right? If so good - we agree.

But then why have you so frequently waxed incandescent that people like me who perform traditional songs and tunes, as well as self-penned " songs based on traditional songs" (and who do not claim these to be traditional in any way), are allowed to sing in folk clubs? And blame us for the collapse of the folk movement?

If I understood that, I might understand better why you're so cross with people who write new songs that are only subliminally influenced by the tradition (as all songs must be) and then perform them in folk clubs.

Tom

PS Please don't bring the quality issue in here. It's highly subjective and is completely separate to the debate over material - you'll hear all types of song sung well or sung less well right across the scene according to the skill of the individual doing the singing. Nothing to do with whether it's folk or trad or not.