Some great comments here and I will be trying some of the suggestions. BTW as Brian here shows so well, we cannot ignore recorded/broadcast material. Fair enough, but must we copy them that closely there is no other version permitted? I think not. Besides some tunes - ragtime for example - are supposed to be personalised and when you listen to Jazz you can hear how different those interpretations can become.

Bandwagoning is almost gauranteed amoung performers today and that alone is why they do it. Ie posing and all that good stuff.

In case you think I am picking on them too much, below is a link to the Chieftains where you can hear them play a few tunes along with friends. The clip is educational when you can see how Paddy fidgets with his fipple while Matt Molloy, in cracking good form, takes off on a tune. Also you see Martin Faye watch and enjoy the Corrs play a tune previously recorded by the boys. Its a great clip and I wish I had the original.

Den - Oirish is what Ozzies and folks in the UK esp the home counties call Irish. Oirish music is what people who speak with that peculiar accent tend to play.

Musak is canned music, or as we here call it, Elevatormusic.

Martin Ryan, you are a tonic! Nawt moh to b sed!