'Scuse me, All this talk is self perpetuating. I have read quotes like:-"When things go right, you give them your energy, and you get it all back many times, and everybody feels it, I think. Everyone gains and no one loses. " and more like "-- the audience picks up on what the performer is doing and sends back the energy 100-fold" and many other similar. I (we) have just finished doing a series of Jacobean Evenings for "the Audience" and they wanted to get pissed (sorry drunk)and generally throw food about. As pro's we had to perform to this. They didn't want classy , self penned stuff or really good music (we had one of the best Mandola and Lute players in the area who played from sheet between courses (sorry removes) and they didn't give a shit. What got them right out of their seats and happy clapping was Wild Rover , What shall we do with a drunken sailor , anything by the Pogues and silly entertainment games. I think before we start patting ourselves on the back about power and performing we should qualify who we are performing to and for what remittance. I have argued many times that we are a limited appreciation society...try the clever stuff against an audience that wants crap and you are dead. Try it in a folk club or society that wants it and you're laughing. The reverse applies. Sorry for spoiling the appreciation society but reality is; big money comes from big (popular) audience and to get them I find I (we)have to perform crap (by Mudcat standards). If however you perform for free then you can pick and chose the gigs and fair play to you.

We left 'em standing and screaming for more last night but if I was to ask any man (or woman ) jack of them this morning they wouldn't remember why!! Spot. (sounding off because he doesn't like his master playing shit for lucre)