The Coilin Irwin piece in the Guardian seems to imply that he , or Jon or other folk people think people have stopped singing communally in pubs etc.(as opposed to in upstairs clubrooms)

In my experience song and tune sessions, working mens clubs, acapella, unplugged, open mic, acoustic nights, karaoke, post rugby club songs, singing on the chara, etc etc. Noone queried the relevance of Mercedes benz as opposed to 'Folk' tunes. they just went into the eclectic bag and got selected or rejected by the community process.muisc

have been going strong and continued the tradition of tune ups, free and easies and singalongs since I can remember and I'm 70.

I welcomed the folk revival but never stopped singing what I'd grown up with and which accompanied most of my social activities.

My partner and I have had two pubs where singing went on every night in the public space as well as a folk club upstairs.


By the way who is writing the notes to the songs on Jon's web pag?