No I don' t think I'm saying that. Everybody has the right to sing 'in the traditional style' -if they want. I think think its hard to work out what the tradition is for most of us. The late Ian Campbell once told me his Dad's main influence as a singer was Al Jolson.

I suppose what I'm saying is that time moves on. When I first went to folk clubs in the 1960's. Fifty years ago was pre first world war. Now 50 years ago is the 1960's - well no that's 60 years ago....makes you think!

I don't think I sing Beatles/Buddy Holly songs songs in the same way they were sung originally. No more than Joan Baez sang Black is the Colour like Hamish Imlach did, or as Christy Moore does. Three totally different different interpretations of the same song.

If anything has emptied folk clubs - I think maybe its the opinion that one has sole possesssion on the way the truth and the light - that could be the problem.