Nick, you're right about where songs & music were collected- maybe it's more about how it was (and maybe still is?) presented?

I'm pretty out of date with the folk scene & intend to remain so. Not away from my own interpretation of the music. I don't think we've met, and I don't know much about 'folklorists' or their theories.

Bob's idea of presentation was well demonstrated at the Islington 'Fox' club in the 60s, and its successors.

Its informality was in fairly major contrast to the often precious and rigid attitudes around at the time, but if you think I'm going to name anyone, no thanks- we've been there before....

Your mention of Bob's BL archive reminds me that you'll find there a typical recording of a lively night we had with Bob & Johnny Doughty at the Smarden Bell in Kent in 1976- it was a regular session at the time, often with Kate Bush & the late Jeff Beck in the bar- how's that for name-dropping