Helen - I'm not accusing you or other people on this thread of savaging anyone. It was more a comment aimed at other quarters of Mudcat where they get into spitting battles over their own artificial definitions of "What is" and What isn't" Folk.
I have witnessed them savaging some poor innocent passer-by who made the mistake of asking a question which they deigned to be unworthy of asking. Something they had decided isn't "Folk". The sort of behaviour that will send the visitor scurrying off, telling their friends that folkies are scum, and don't give them the time of day!
As far as I am concerned, I try to make visitors as welcome as I can, which on occasions includes aplologising for the behaviour of some of the ruder visitors to the forum.
As for Mumford and Son, they didn't particularly grab me, but if they can spark an interest from a younger generation, I will applaud them. Once someone gets interested, they will look sideways. It may lead them to someone folk influenced, such as the Levellers, or perhaps to more traditional performers. Who knows? Once the folk music escapes from the box we keep it in, maybe this time, they won't be able to shove it back in...
Then again, it could just be a flavour of the month, as happened with the Pogues.
I live in hope.
Once again, no offence intended.
Quack!
GtD.