Not that it should be necessary, but here is another indication of why RUS has no place at a vibrant music party (or song circle).    For New Years Eve Jan and I again went to a music party.   We brought a bottle of wine, Christmas crackers, and spanakopita.   The hostess provided all sorts of other comestibles, including chocolate fondue with fruit.   And drinks.


Then the music started. One couple started with a song called "Christmas in the Islands", I think.   Jan and I did "I Want Eddie Fisher for Christmas" , which I'd recently picked up from "Hot Jazz Saturday Night"--though the song, by a lot, is more a bobby-soxer's heartfelt plea than hot jazz.   This was followed by "Christmas in Jail", by a guy who did a great job on it.   From there I did "I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch" (jail connection), and "Fraulein."    And so on.    There was a wonderful, lilting, rendition of "Christmas on Christmas Island".   As well as "Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian".   And "Riding Down the Canyon" since the topic of that song came up, and "Am I Blue?" (with the 2 verses), And others. With very few exceptions, every singer knew his or her songs cold with no crib sheets of any kind.   

Above all, no RUS ever reared its head.

So the party was a smashing success.   Sure it was a bunch of friends getting together but the musical success was also due to the fact that nobody had brought that book and insisted on ploughing through every blessed verse.   People there actually knew what they were doing.   Either you can do your songs or you can't. Bringing the Blue Book of Death is a very good indication that you can't.

Was the music there "folk music"? Probably not.   Who cares?