Gary T, The feedback you get from S/S'er clubs is honest enough at the time it is given. You can applaud a particular effort and keep to yourself the recognition that this one is not going to be a great hit.

I usually think of these clubs as mutual admiration societies, but sometimes we need such places. It can help to show off a song for the first time to an audience that we know is going to be appreciative.

We learn much from the mistakes of others which we can put into practice with our own work. And if we are willing to accept positive suggestions, we can sometimes change a mediocre song into something fairly good.

Bert.