Therein is a problem that has yet to be grasped by people in the UK. Folk music in the USA or Canada is very different. I think that in North America, people tend to perceive folk music as whatever isn`t something else.

Lyrics will have meaning. Songs will be sung by one or many. There is a tradition that preserves songs of the sea, songs that were meant to help one`s work along (think Stan Hugill), songs that protest government (and that is certainly evident in the UK tradition). I think that we are one people divided by a common language. I prefer the less anal-retentive North American `definition`. If Jean Ritchie`s work isn`t folk, then I have NO idea what is. She is also a song writer.

I don`t remember how many records I bought because ONE song on it appealed to me. I purchased a copy of a Wings record because Mull of Kintyre was on it. Frankly, I found the rest of the stuff on the record to be shit, Paul McCartney or not. However, that aside, I`d call a man like Bill Staines a folk singer. (He`s also one heckuva songwriter.)

I`m fed up with these fuckin`threads whereon people say what they`ve said before and the dog chases its tail. I wish yàll well resolving the issues presented on this and the other thread. I have nothing more to contribute.

Have a nice day, all.

(Good one, Jeri.)