Those of you who have read me at Mudcat know JotSC to be a pretty conservative fellow. Yet I own and still play hundreds of albums from the so-called 'folk scare' period. I'm in philosophical disagreement with many songs I play and enjoy (and I guess that means I disagree with the songwriter also). Generally I enjoy songs that have a more universal message rather than a specific one. But more than enjoying them, I take something from them that expands my way of thinking.

Frankly I don't care who wrote Amazing Grace, or what he was. I get chills listening to Judy Collins perform an a capella rendition of the song. I know where her heart is.

R. Strauss & Wagner were not performed in Israel for decades, but they now have been. If the Israel Philharmonic can play their music, I guess its alright for me to listen to it (not that I had let them influence me anyway).