As far a Jack is concerned, what they have had to say has been distorted by agenda-driven collectors, or is not to be relied on because the old singer were attention-seeking liars playing to the audience.

Well. old man - you insist on distorting everything I have to say, so - why not? And the relationship between the folklorist and his subject was always an interesting one - careful not to step too far into that heart of darkness. Oo-er. Whatever the case, the old singers were passive to the collector's interest in their material which is an interesting dichotomy right there & a well documented on. You liken it to Botanical research - collecting the Seeds of Love no doubt. On that point, I rest my case; they are, after all, your songs now.

Have I ever seen a single book actually written by a Traditional Singer? Only one, as far as Bob Roberts can be considered a Traditional Singer - I've heard arguments both ways though his collection of songs issued by Topic as Songs from the Sailing Barges would seem to fit the bill. He wrote a book called Breeze for a Bargeman which, although sharing it's name with another LP of his singing, contains not one single mention of folk songs. Great book none the less. Recommended!

No, no point. Just interesting that's all.