"Are you reading this, Jim Carroll? "very little of this argument was ever committed to print"
I am indeed Vic - have had it in mind for at least ten years, since I was first given permission to copy the Critics tapes.
I would point out that MacColl made no pretence of being an academic - his aim was to create a situation in which the songs could be sung and where the forms could be used to create new songs
His greatest contribution as far as singing was to develop singing and relaxation techniques and to assist singers to relate to the songs - that was what lifted my feet off the floor - and still does when I listen to the tapes.
I think Bert's claim to scholarship created a number of problems.
As for the working class asect of folk song - pretty well my experience as a collector.
Jim Carroll