Jim - I never really know who you are attacking or what standards so I always react.

Does politics (small 'p') touch singing somehow?

Singing in tune has never been the measure of a singer has it?

Cliff Richard at Wimbledon got pilloried for being cliff rather than for technical ability which he has. A man who can always sing in tune

I go to all sorts of stuff where tradition/balls/americana/ rock /substitute whatever/ performance triumphs over 'in tune'

In trad folk the roots rather than the notes always seemed to win out. When the notes went the tradition kicked in because it was worth more.

It was why I've never been a proper folk person because I never understood that. I may do one day or it may pass me by like garage