I agree with John Peekstok with just about everything he says except the part about "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?"

Well John, I do agree that the history isn't the factor that makes a song appealing, but the history certainly plays an important role. Your missing out on a tasty treat if you pass that up. Having some perspectived about the song, the singer, or the context in which it was sung can really add detail.

I suppose you don't need to know about the dust bowl to be moved by "Grapes of Wrath", but the history certainly makes it more powerful.

Ron