Sorry Cap'n
Thanks for your support, but I think you have the wrong article in mind.
Bryan
I think you'll find any abuse was very much a two-way street - we're all prone to overstating on occasion
"rather than walking out and heading for the west coast of Ireland)"
Don't ever remember being as snide as that - but I'm sure you're happy to remind me (did I really compare you with Goebells? Now that was over the top, for which I apologise - but would welcome being reminded).
Basically, our arguments stem from your proposal (said by you to be your club policy) that wannabe singers need not be able to sing before they are encouraged in front of an audience. I believe this to be a policy of dumbing down, made even worse by your admission that you didn't have non-singers turning up for a floor spot, so it was a proposdal aimed at clubs other than your own.
As stupidly stubborn as it may sound, I will go to the grave believing that would-be singers need to learn to sing in tune before they are put in front of an audience - paying or otherwise. Not to insist on this is an insult to the audience, to the club residents, and shows a contempt for the songs.
Thanks for putting up my letter (not article) to L.T. I may phrase things differently nowadays, but there's nothing I would withdraw, especially as it was aimed at somebody who I once held in great respect for his contribution to the early days of the revival.
I'm fairly happy with and proud of the contribution Pat and I made to preserving and disseminating British and Irish folksong, and, as much of our work was done in Ireland, I have no qualms in having moved here to tie up loose ends of our work, and where, incidentally, we have found a welcoming home for our recordings, which leave us in the happy situation of not having to worry or browbeat anybody in order to make them fully accessible to the general public, thanks to the Irish Traditional Music Archive - would such a place existed in the UK for our English recordings.
Jim Carroll