'It faded from the scene - the argument given twenty years ago was many young musicians couldn't afford the equipment - nor could the dwindling number of venues cater for the noise.

Jim, I'm sorry, but despite having the utmost respect for your work and knowledge of the tradition, I've come to the conclusion you're now taking bullshit, and making arguments for the sake of disagreeing!

Your statement above is complete nonsense! Simply, I discovered folk music, both of your definition, and of others, in my teens, around 40 years ago, and I can assure you that folk/rock never faded from the scene. Your end to that statement actually very clearly gives away your real thoughts 'couldn't cater for the NOISE'

You ask for people to respect you, but YOU show little respect for others. Now, what you have to bear in mind Sir, is that just because YOU don't like something, does not make it wrong, or of any less value! You would do well to remember that this is not YOUR tradition, it is OURS, and how we choose to use that tradition is our decision.

'I listened to your two offerings.
If one hadn't been labeled @Blackleg Miner' I wouldn't have recognised it in twenty years - and I've been singing it for forty
The other one I mistook for an Irish song from the Ballad Boom of the sixties; didn't recognise it as one from the title and couldn't follow the words
Acid test enough for me - sorry.'
Wouldn't have recognised....OR DID NOT WANT TOO..... I think we both know the answer to that! And just out of interest, Blackleg Miner was one of the first songs I learned, so I've also been singing it for 40 years, which I guess must make me as 'expert' as you then!

Can I, politely, of course, suggest that you stick to what you are a recognised expert in.

Just to repeat what I said earlier, you want respect, show some yourself!

John