I find that frequently Shimrod and I are in agreement. For this thread, and to my great surprise, I am in agreement with the good Captain Birdseye.

It seems to me - and this admits of neither argument nor challenge, for it is my opinion - that whether a song is a folk song, it's a bit like the elephant.

I know an elephant when I see one, but as for my describing it to you, forget it.

Similarly, I flatter meself that I recognise a folk song when I hear one, but I couldn't tell you why to save me life.

I saw the Beatles live at Oasis, South Street, Manchester, just before 'Please, Please Me' charted. Cost me 5/6 in real money. That's 27 & 1/2 pence in Mickey Mouse coinage.

I enjoy Lennon's music, whether with or without The Beatles. But, if he is a folk singer, and Britney whatserface and Mr Sinatra are folk singers, then my private is a bloater.

I never saw what all the fuss was about with Bob Dylan, though I do not deny your right to enjoy his work. I have posted previously that, similarly, I do not care for a fair bit of Ewan McColl's and Peggy Seeger's non-traditional work.

I have me own theories as to why 'Folk Music' was (and perhaps is) seen as 'exclusive'. My own dear Mother, when I first bought 'Folk Roots, New Routes' said of the album 'how the Christ can you listen to that ?'

It has to be listened to - it cannot be 'musical wallpaper' - not that I say that the Beatles, or Mr Lennon, fall into this category.

Folk music - FOR ME - it ain't. Wasn't it Satchmo - Louis Armsrong - who first said - All music's folk music - I never heard no horse do it ' ?