Musket, I don't know you, & I don't think I've even encountered you on Mudcat before now. So all I've got to go on is what you've said in this thread. I can show you half a dozen jeering, derisive remarks about traditional songs and traditional singers with your handle above them; I don't think I've seen a single positive comment. You love traditional music? Great - but you could certainly have fooled me.

Too many on here confusing provenance with entertainment. Too many thinking the wistful romantic lyrics tell us about life in olden days. Too many looking for heritage of a political view they hold.

Anyone in particular in mind? Because it certainly ain't me - I've specifically said that one thing I like about traditional songs is that they're not sentimental & they don't preach a political message. If I want to be reminded that we're all in it together and that prejudice is bad, I can go to a folk club.

As for confusing provenance with entertainment, as I said above I got turned on to traditional songs when (quoting myself) I went to a traditional singaround and heard one amazing song after another, with stunning chorus singing from 15-20 complete amateurs all of whom (unlike me) knew every single song. Entertainment? It was pure, intense pleasure - as intense as anything I'd experienced down the club & much more sustained.

As far as I can make out, you're saying the problem with traditional songs is that they're often boring and they're often badly performed. All I can say is that this has never been my experience - whereas it very definitely has been my experience, all too often, at mostly-contemporary folk clubs (ever been to a Dylan night?).