The essence of being a Singer of Traditional Songs is respecting your sources and not performing. The best of it always happens when you don't give a damn and let the song do its thing. Too much folk is about engaging with audiences, but personally I welcome a modicum of reserve and mutual indifference in a performance situation - let the audience do the work, you know? When the audience don't get it, then I know I might be onto something... or when I sing when I'm out on my bike and a Ballad becomes an act of prayerful meditation and it lives / breathes in your soul and not just a means of entertainment.

The best performances are when you don't even know you've got an audience, like a few weeks ago when I was singing Harry Cox's The Crabfish (nabbed of the VOTP Good People Take Warning CD) whilst clearing out a blocked drain in the backyard and I got a round of applause from the bloke next door.

If ever you're singing a Traditional Song and find yourself moved to start engaging with the audience, then just think John England.