I'm baffled as to why Topic's re-release of early MacColl material should generate so much such wringing of hands.

MacColl (or Lloyd or anyone else for that matter) wasn't born a fully developed ballad singer. They went through various stages of development and that development has been preserved on record. Granted, some of that early stuff doesn't actually make for great listening but it serves to illustrate how the early folk revival found its way by trial and error. For instance, the Topic compilation BOLD SPORTSMEN ALL: GAMBLERS & SPORTING BLADES has MacColl singing "Football Crazy" and "Galway Races" in a most embarrassing Oirish accent, so perhaps, on reflection, we can see why he later became such an avid advocate of the infamous Singers' Club policy of singing songs from your own tradition.

I would imagine that any serious student of the folk revival would be anxious to hear these early recordings. Topic is possibly the only company with the will and knowledge to let younger generations hear how influential performers evolved over the years. Equally, I'm sure that the likes of Martin Carthy and Christy Moore wouldn't like to be judged solely on their earliest recordings but that's what happens when you embark on a career as a professional singer, musician or entertainer. At a given time you offer your wares to the public in the knowledge that this reflects what you were doing at that time.