Good post Big Al but some of this thread just leaves me glad that I like music in general and don't get too hung up over genres. We normally get a maximum of three songs, often two, at our normal floor spot evenings and though it can change dependent on the night and audience I normally have a trad song, one of my own, and a more modern folk or popular song in mind. People as a whole seem to like the variety.

In regard to performers surely each generation in folk music since the revival has had its more traditional performers as well as those who'll push the boundaries of what folk is and what can be done with folk songs? Both Sheila Stewart and Hamish Henderson seemed to embrace Martyn Bennett's musical experiments - but that doesn't mean they'd turn their backs on the traditional. They were open enough to see his mixing of genres in some ways helped introduce the songs to a new audience.

Likewise there is always going to be crossover and people sharing and discovering music. I love June Tabor's version of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart". There will be Joy Division fans who discover June's other music and folk music in general through that - and folk fans who perhaps listen to some more Joy Division through that. It is great to discover music.

And tying in with the other thread in regard to the Oral Tradition. Does it really matter how we learn the songs now? As long as we learn them! Three regulars I do are John Riley, North Country Maid and Cousin Jack.

I have since discovered it has been recorded by others but I was introduced to John Riley by hearing Tom Bliss play it at a gig at our club.

I took North Country Maid from a Youtube clip of The Watersons.

I learned Cousin Jack from another local and by the folk process by the time I got round to hearing the Show Of Hands original the tune I was playing was quite different apart from the chorus. I prefer and stick to the tune I was doing.

As long as I do these to the best of my limited abilities does it matter where I got them from?