Vin ,
I don't really like the term you used "septic" Isles , perhaps when Maggie was around - Yes , but I think I'd rather prolong the myth and stick to "septred" at the moment , and the phrase you attributed to Harvey was used by me previously in the thread - Harvey was merely elaborating on the phrase. Apart from all that - I'm in full agreement with you.
As to the Guest above - why do they feel the need to narrow the ( random ) band of names which I provided.
Paul Simon and Bob Dylan used to come to Britain to pick Martin Carthys brains , Christy Moore was as funny as any one else but didn't seek to highlight it , Vin Garbutt is probably more funny that all the others put together - and , are we going to dismiss that wonderful traditional singer Isla St Clair because she became "famous" etc.etc.etc.
All those people which I mentioned were/are legit singers and musicians,the fact that some of their talents blossomed in another direction during the years of their performance slogging around Folk Clubs, is, for me something to be praised.
For example the next time you are ridiculed ( as we've all been ) for saying we like Folk Music - just reel-off names of people who've come through our Ranks and watch the reaction.
Try to stop being so narrow minded,with views like yours, no wonder we are sometimes percieved by the Media as an insular group of wierdos.