Since this good thread began some years ago, I must take note of the actual fact that folksingers are lucky in that they can not only travel from here to there and back again geographically, but they are time travelers as well. An example: When we sing "Barbara Allen" we are, AT LEAST, going back to Samuel Pepys on January 2nd, 1666---when he reported hearing it sung in London. (Over 300 years ago!)

Along that same line of thinking, I submit that CHICAGO, ILLINOIS was at least as "good" as any folk scene noted here today ---- but back in the 1960s and the 1970s--and half way through the '80s! It was a marvelous span of years--.

Art Thieme