...I'd just like to say what a great thread I think this has turned out to be, getting people who are passionate about folk and roots music to debate the ins and out of what in their opinion goes into making good folk songs/ interpretations, and what doesn't. I'm not blowing my own trumpet here, because with the benefit of hindsight I see that my original thread title was stupid and inflammatory; and that this has probably come about in spite rather than because of my own input...nonetheless, thank you, mudcat, for keeping the thread open and for allowing the kinds of debates which are IMO vital in keeping the concept of folk music alive.