I just posted a comment in the new "favorite songwriters" thread, venturing my opinion that a lot of Mudcatters might be missing something because of their closed-minded refusal to consider the Dead as serious musicians extending folk traditons into the present and future. I'm afraid that there are many who won't even listen, who are content to stick with their opinion ("just a bunch of talentless druggies") without even considering any actual evidence.

I'm glad to see this discussion proving me more-or-less wrong ~ at least among our American brethern, there are obviously a number of folks fully cogniscent of the Hunter/Garcia songbook.

Still, I fear that too many of our hard-core "purists" keep their minds and ears closed to to an awful lot of worthwhile music, including but not limited to this particular group. Sometime earlier this week, I read a complaint that the sanctity of the corresppondant's local folk club was being besmirched by people daring to sing (horrors!) the blues! If the blues ain't folk music, I suppose I'm not interested in folk music, lol.

The late lamented Grateful Dead created a tremendous legacy of contemporary music unique for its deep roots in the complete spectrum of American folk-music traditions. Anyone who has no idea what we're talking about here should at least give 'em a listen. (Hint: Start out with the "Workingman's Dead" and/or "American Beauty" albums.)