hi Richard,
I still don't know what this 1954 definition is, I'm sorry-it must be buried in the forum somewhere, but since I think that folk music and traditional music are two different things, I'm not sure it would help me.
I am a strong, vocal advocate of understanding one's roots, cultures and traditions. My interest and background are in English traditional music specifically and the way that tradition operates more generally, as well as enjoying writing my own music based on what I know as a modern person with this background in this community and the wider society in which I live, musical and otherwise. I am one of those people that likes to see an unbroken line from tradition to pop as well, that when things work right there is a natural discourse and common ground between the two.
I agree that it isn't a matter of liking, whether or not Seth Lakeman is folk. He is folk to me in the same way Bob Dylan is, or Steve Tilston, or Rory Macleod, or Stan Rodgers, or Jake Thackray. All people generally considered folk by the folk around here. He's certainly not rock, or hip-hop, or disco, or any of the many pop sub-genres; he's certainly not traditional music like the Coppers or Almeida Riddle.
I think people say things like "he's not folk" in order to exclude him; on this board that statement is often emotionally very weighted, and used preclusively, I think that's unfair.
x e