When I coordinated a wildlife survey of Sheffield in the 80s we found most 'rare' species had been recorded in 'nice' areas where nature lovers liked to go at weekends . So the dots went on the maps and skewed the distribution patterns, attitudes and expectations and conservation funding etc etc. That's why the urban wildlife movement was so important.

We found lots more in a systematic survey of the entire city and in the most unlikely area.


To get back on thread!

Even now, I find that, unless , someone is not an elderly, manual, travelling, 'unspoilt' person a lot of academics and collectors don't bother too much.

Those Port Isaac fishermen would not have learned shanties on a motorised boat or even heard them until the folk revival of the 50s.


I know some who have been hailed as trad who are lousy singers by any standards.( and I don't mean a voice alone - sometimes delivery, personality, relevance of material, and knowledge or experience can confer respect on someone )

However, I think listeners have alway valued a tuneful singer.


Would Mmny aspirant singers would have been weeded out in the days of a still living tradition, if they didn't pass muster.


X fator wasn't the only selection process that left us a legacy of traditional or 'folk' song.