Pete Seeger because he has that enviable ability to communicate with the wider public/audience and convey the message in the song.


He is way ahead of all the others mentioned in this thread, including Baez, as most of them were writers suchas Dylan and Ochs and as with most cases with these writers they are very seldom the best interpreters of their own songs.

Pete Seeger, - like many aspiring folk singers and some very good ones e.g.possibly Mike Aranoff USA and Martyn Windham-Reid U K - successfully gleaned songs from all writers and perform them with a naturalness that can only be explained away as being part genius.

many writers have been mentioned but none can hold a candle to the greatest ever interpreter of contemporary 'protest' song as the one and only, the unique, the much maligned , Pete Seeger.

And he was nifty on banjo and guitar too.

As for Dick Gaughan, well he needs an interpreter.

Pete Seeger.