"In fact it means plenty. It means that current scholars disagree with each other about what they mean by "folksong,"
How do you get from "people" to "scholars Lighter - or is that another term you have redefined?
Bryan
"exactly what it said on the label" - the clubs I referred to when i used that term were The Singers Club and Court sessions - neither of which use 'folk' in their title, but presented folk and folk based songs - that is what I meant and to suggest otherwise is totally disingenuous.
I have never advocated a purist club, I have never supported such a narrow idea, I think I only ever experienced one some time in the sixties.
You know damn well I am talking about clubs who adopt the title folk as a flag of convenience and provide nothing of the sort
But if you wish to score by claiming this as a concession, please feel free to do so - always happy to help the needy.
""It was on your watch that things went tits up not mine."
Not true - The Singers Club ceased after I was no longer anything other than a member due to other pressures - Court Sessins continued until lat year - about fourteen years after we moved to Ireland.
"I have been going to folk clubs for forty years, quite often more than once a week. "
Well done you -- about the same time I was involved - and your point it....?
"Pat rang around several clubs in the South East area
she rang one and asked did they want to book him
Nuff sed."
Didn't you miss a bit out?
What I actually wrote was:
"Pat rang around several clubs in the South East area to see if she couldn't get him a couple more to make the trip worth his while.
On spec, she rang one and asked did they want to book him.
The nice lady on the other end said she had never heard of him and cou[ld Pat explain what Walter did.
Pat explained who he was, told her of his experience at clubs and the half dozen solo albums he had made.
"Sorry", came the reply, "we only book folk singers".
Nuff sed."

At no time have I used the term pestered to my recollection ``- we continued to get some calls after he retired from the clubs but not that many.
Pat wasn't Walter's agent - she got him extra bookings when he visited us - if he wanted them.
The few calls we continued to get were from those regulars who had booked him before
The example I gave was of one that is being argued here - a folk club that didn't know its folk arse from its elbow.
"You only respect people who share your opinions."
I assume that its the 'Royal You' - I certainly respect many people I disagree with - I just don't agree with them, that's all.
What exactly is your point here Bryan - that the folk revival is booming and I'm making it all up - that people who have no interest in folk music yet call their clubs 'folk' are figments of my imagination.
Are all the people who take part in these forums and say their experiences the same as mine lying.
Are those who agree with that conclusion yet defend the situation by saying nobody wants to listen to the old stuff anymore because its had its day figments of my imagination?
Can British folk song both in performance or as a research topic look forward to a glowing future - or any future at all when those of our generation snuff it (without hopping on a train to Lewes, that is?).
There was little sign of that being the case fourteen years ago - even less now.
There certainly wan't much sign of it when I spent a week in London earlier this year - but happy to five it another go.
Off to Oxford next month to do some research work on two radio programmes on Ewan - any suggestions of what to look out for (general question - haven't got time to head for Sussex)
Jim Carroll