Incidentally Jim, I have been around the folk scene for half a century, so I don't really need anyone to choose my reading matter for me, but, just so you'll know, I have read most of those.


I strongly suspect that any of those source singers who had turned up (had that been possible) at a folk club run by your good self, would indeed have been discouraged from coming again, because their ability was not up to your high standard.

Fortunately the collectors had more time, tolerance, and patience.

I would love to know how many times in the twentieth century, somebody has discovered a long unnoticed manuscript with a new song, or a new version of an old song, which has been lost forever because he WAS discouraged by the reception his mediocre voice got at some club.

We'll never know, but it's worth contemplating don't you think?

Don T.