I think it's quite important when people are singing either traditional songs or songs written by others, that they resist the temptation to simply act as a human jukebox. If I listen to singer A singing a song written by singer B, I would hope singer A was bringing something of their own personality and unique vision to the song - including making changes to the words, the melody or the arrangement, if that works for them. Otherwise I might as well sit at home with a CD of singer B's original version.

I wonder if a situation sometimes arises where people feel it is disrespectful to use someone's else's music and words as a springboard for something else? To use an obvious example, there is so much deification of Bob Dylan as a lyricist, that maybe people become a bit daunted by the idea of "folk processing" his work, and instead feel as if they should just copy him verbatim?

On the other hand, I suppose some audiences want what they are already familiar with from elsewhere, rather than an alternative take...

I guess it's also about the difference between interpretations and cover versions.

Great idea for a thread, by the way, Jerry. Hope you get some good responses.