Bobert - there is also debate on whether or not "cleansing" is appopriate. Heck, there is even debate on whether or not putting a mic in front of a singer is appropriate.   Is it a folk song once it is recorded in a setting other than a natural one?   Does the recording itself alter the performance or intent of the song?

Again, this doesn't bother me, nor does what Moby or any other producer - as long as the original remains intact. Folk music is a living tradition and should not be restricted to a single definition or set of rules. I think about those very clever commercials that used footage from old movies - you know, John Wayne pitching beer or Gene Kelly dancing with a vacuum cleaner. Sure you can say that it gives a new audience a different opinion of these "stars", but I think we forget to give the audience credit for being able to distinguish the original from another artists perception.

I believe that ALL the recordings used on the "Lomax remix" session is also available via Rounder on their series of Lomax CD's, so this will not be the first CD debut for these musicians. The originals will still be there, just like the non-colorized version of Casablanca.

The Lomax foundation will continue to "place" songs in films like "O Brother" and help re-introduce the treasures to a new audience. Check out their website - they are doing a lot of interesting work, which I am sure Alan would approve of.

Ron