It was me who mentioned the Kinks, not to claim they were "folk" but as an example of how their songwriting, when performed in an appropriate "folk" style, might not be out of place in a folk club. In particular I had in mind Swan Arcade's three-part harmony version of "Lola", which always went down a storm even amongst audiences with a strong preference for trad. (Swan Arcade of course often included songs from outside the usual folk repertoire).

Jim in his usual fashion seized the wrong end of the stick and has refused to release his grasp in spite of my attempts to explain my meaning, and I don't propose to continue that discussion now.

Full disclosure: my band recorded a version of the Kinks' "Harry Rag" (with a morris tune as a middle 8) for a folk album for the BBC's Children in Need Appeal. That track was one of those picked out for praise by Folk Roots' reviewer, although perhaps some would not regard that as a recommendation.