I think we're talking at cross purposes. The noisy audiences I was talking about weren't really folk club audiences, who are genuinely attentive - if not always appreciative. When I first started performing in 1970's, the folk scene was already factionalised and fractured beyond repair.

the choices were stark, you were either a traddy, or you were a comedian. if you had anything to say about your own life, no bugger was interested. the brave lads in Suvla Bay, or Dublin 1916, or the four loom weaver and you were away with a career.

So when personal circumstances made me turn to music as a career - the folk clubs were out of the question. i worked the social clubs, pubs, restaurants, country and western clubs, in later year -old peoples homes - anything. and I wrote my songs for whoever and wherever, but mainly for myself. and so it has remained.

probably I missed out by not being immersed in 'the tradition'. But I think the tradition missed out a fair bit on not being interested in my generation of songwriters - and for not having much to do with the generality of people who gave me my living as a musician.