"and I see no sign here of a hate-fest."
Hank williams soundalike and the rest - we have to disagree Brian
None so blind

"I am perfectly happy that nobody should regard me as an expert:"
No fear of that, I can assure you especially as your total understanding of folk song period seems to be based on thee few songs you have dredged up from Spotify
The overwhelming number of MacColl's 175 ballads are unaccompanied
Peggy is a superb instrumentalist and in one of her lectures on accompaniment, her opening statement was - The first thing you ask about accompaniment is "is it necessary"
Very much in contrast with the wannabe Carthys who suffocate their songs in unnecessary. overelabourate accompaniment
Jim Carroll