Dick Greenhaus,I agree with you.
As far as I know he only recorded two revivalist singers/groups Shirley Collins ,and the Mcewan brothers,He recorded a vast amount of traditional singers[hundreds],he clearly made a value judgement that traditional singers, were more important than revival singers,when he decided who should be recorded.
no Jim I have not missed the point,as far as I am concerned I judge traditional singers and singers of traditional songs,on their ability as singers.
Let us look at the irish traditional instrumental scene.Padraig O Keefe held in high regard Sean Maguire,Sean Maguire was not a completely typical traditional player[someone who by definition learns by the oral process] ,he also played classical music and could read music,as could Seamus Ennis,So they learned music, both by the oral process and by reading music.
Okeefe like most musicians made his value judgement,on the players ability not on the process of how they learned the song.,why should collectors not make the same value judgements about singers of songs.
Dick Greenhaus[record everything and sort it out afterwards]makes an excellent point.
Ian C,made a good point when he likened folksong collectors to butterfly collectors.meanwhile the singers and musicians keep the songs alive,while the collectors are busy making selective judgements according to categorys.
Folkie Dave you are an expert on talking twaddle,I am still waiting for an apology on the subject OF Glor NaGael, organising music competitions,as I said, I have judged two such competitions,you accused me of talking nonsense,and that they didnt run music competitons,come over to Ireland and see for yourself.