By the study of a 'hidden soundtrack' Sharp brought an 'other' music onto the agenda, even if it was only for a small sector of society, and he broadened the scope for discovering 'value' in music. This was a considerable challenge to the musical 'givens' of the day. 24 and too few constructive conclusions drawn about how the 'peasants' had previously used this music. Texts were doctored for a 'refined' public and, as Harker ascertains, mediation rather than restoration took place. Oppositions to mediation only further the concept of musical apartheid.
All song is mediated as soon as somebody sings it, never mind collects it.
It is in this period that it could be said that twentieth century folk music hagiography began. Having introduced 'this' music to 'our' ears, explanations were needed as to why it was supposed to be different. Nicely Out of Tune L.P. Charisma Records, 1970. Back Philip Tagg. A Musicology of the Mass Media .