Ah, Shimrod, perhaps it is a bit shallow to accuse someone you don't know of having no soul on the basis of one statement. If harmony singing, the solitary example given above excepted, was not part of the older tradition there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that it should not be a new tradition brought in from other genres. Actually it was very much part of the town scene in earlier centuries. They used to call the songs they sang glees and they were often shorter (e.g., Coppers' Spring Glee). All of the harmony groups mentioned above bring a great deal of pleasure to a wide number of people, me included. Surely you can't fault, for instance, The Voice Squad?

Here's a little anecdote that might interest you. I have 2 sons in their 30s. At no point in their upbringing did we thrust folk music down their throats. They went through all the usual phases, heavy metal etc., and both have a healthy interest in a wide range of music today. High up amongst their favourite artistes are the Watersons. In fact a very favourite track is 'The Earsdon Calling-on Song', which to some might sound rather dirgy.

I too, as you must know, have steeped myself in traditional song for the last 45 years, but that doesn't prevent me from enjoying and appreciating relatively new traditions, or even current music, in fact music from any genre.

You have obviously indulged in this tradition of using pseudonyms, taking a leaf out of the CBer's book no doubt! I do accept that it is an ancient tradition and I have done it myself on occasions.