Jo T: Yes, I hope our disagreements are only over how best to explore a wonderful tradition. And on the subject of the Mellstock Band (whose membership has been almost as variable as the Albion Band) - as I recall this started off as a Dave Townsend project. And Dave has published a collection of Carols from the Hardy manuscript which I'd strongly recommend. (If I'd contributed to the "Favourite Folk Pub" thread it would have been with a description of first hearing the Hardy m/s "While Shepherds Watched" in the late, lamented Kings Head at Rampisham, Dorset.)

Certainly I was taking music to include songs as well as tunes . . Oops, USians seem to use "song" to include "tune" - it all gets too confusing for me . . .

And I'm glad you mentioned Bob Cann - especially as there't just been a fine retrospective CD of him released. Pete Coe told us a WONDERFUL tale of Bob's regular Dartmoor barn dances, where the usuall clientel were (largely) the Hell's Angels of the district.

Another - rather less 'traditional' in treatment - source for English folk music would be the early Oyster Band recordings; if you want tunes then go for "20 Golden Tie Slackners". Or New Victory Band, Flowers and Frolics, Muckram Wakes . . Or several of the "Free Reed" records, and dozens of old Topic recordings . .

And I have to confess, I have argued elsewhere that much of the English tradition is UNFAIRLY neglected (and been flamed for saying so). And, indeed, the English neglect of their own tradition was a recurring theme at a number of workshops we attended at Sidmouth festival this year.

G.