Here is how I would define traditional music ,.THE CHILD BALLADS, The collections of Cecil Sharp,Baring Gould,Frank Kidson,the Hammond Brothers,The Vaughan Williams memorial library at C SHARP house. The shanties of Stan Hugill. [I am sure mustrad would agree with all so far].Then there are grey areas.Looking at an article In mustrad magazine on Walter Pardon, I noticed two songs in his repertoire, Lord Lovel [generally considered traditional]and The Mistletoe Bough[ Thomas Bayley 1884]A relatively recent composition, a fine song, but not in my opinion traditional., although collected from a traditional singer.
I remember being with John Howson in Suffolk, and one of his singers Charlie Stringer sang the Cheshire Farmers Daughter[traditional]and Carolina Moon[not in my opinion trad].
    What I find slightly illogical,about mustrad magazine, is the exclusion of revival traditional singers like Roy Harris,with a traditional repertoire ,as defined by the early song collectors like Sharp,. And the inclusion of songs like the Mistletoe Bough and other composed peices[ but only if they are collected from traditional singers][[ no composed peices by maccoll ]].
   now I respect Rod Stradling as a fine accordion player,I think mustrad is an interesting magazine, and I understand that their editorial policy is, that articles on the revival singers, can be read about elsewhere[ living Traditions].
   Now that I have explained why I started this thread, perhaps we can have a sensible, amicable, discussion. Dick Miles