I worry about that fact that the large majority of us English do not sing and play, and do not listen to live singing and playing. There is so much ready-made disposable entertainment on TV/radio etc that there is little space left in which to do our own thing. And then, once the habit is lost, there is an embarrassment barrier to be overcome before we can even sing with family. Luckily, I've reached the age where its fun to be embarrassing - so there is hope for me. So, my opinion is that its a damn good thing that songs & tunes are being collected, as this can provide a source which might not be available live. But : There are a lot of folk events locally, which we are only just really picking up on (pretty much something on every night within reach). So I suppose the real river flow is available if you look for it and are able to get there. I've sort of lost the plot of what I meant coherently to say - but anyways, I like collections to pore over. I think we're fairly safe from pickling, because most singers/players will derive their own enterpretations anyway, to a lesser or greater degree. We just can't resist it.

Kris