A friend of mine had Ivor Cutler as her teacher ... it definitely shows!

The point is, Lizzie, as Ralph has tried to explain, some performers do not like to have their performances recorded and it is only polite to ask - and, if they say no, not to do it. If you do it without permission, it becomes illegal - it is a form of theft.

I know of one well-known solo performer, who was actually thinking of 'encrypting' his gigs - ie only singing one word in two!!! (It was a joke - but a pertinent one!)

Performers have been ripped off by unscrupulous people producing 'live' recordings and selling them - completely without the artist's knowledge.

Don't imagine for a minute you would do that, but that is why this practise is frowned on. Fine, if Show of Hands encourage it - but be aware that this attitude does not apply to everyone - would hate to see you get chucked out of a gig or have an artist refuse to continue their act because of not being aware of this.

Cheers
Blowz