I love community singing, and usually I want people to sing along with me. Sometimes, however, I like to make a song "new" by singing it a little differently - when that happens, I want people to listen to me, and wait until I invite them to sing along.

Popular performers may have a real problem with this, since so many people think a song should be sung exactly as it was on a popular recording, and many audiences don't seem to be open to innovation, or to alternate renditions of a song.

Kudos to Christy Moore for insisting on doing what he wants to do with his music. On the other hand, I'll continue to enjoy concerts from Bill Staines and Peter, Paul and Mary, where people sing along with every song.

-Joe Offer-