For me, the only criterion has always been whether or not the arrangement works. I've heard unaccompanied "traditional" singers that moved me to tears, and I've heard music in the same style that was god-awful and boring. I've heard rock versions of trad songs that were great examples of both rock music and of traditional music making, where the instrumentation and arrangement complimented the music. I've also heard rock versions that sucked, that seemed to be someone playing or singing a tune over mindless thumping on bass and drums. My own tastes tend to steer me away from jazz interpretations and especially from classical renditions, but I understand that some folks think they sound good, and that's fine with me.

I don't give a fig for academic folkloric scholarship when it comes to listening to or playing music. Who cares what the history is? Who cares how the music was played in it's home country? Who cares what instruments someone else thinks you ought to play? Does the music work? Does it sound good? That's all that I need to worry about.

John Peekstok