Interesting thread. I personally have a lousy voice, so let's skip that. I bought two tapes awhile back from Sandy & Caroline at Folk Legacy Records.....Both are excellent and REAL representations of the music and sound of the Appalachians. The voices could not be more different. Frank Proffitt was a tremendous talent, but by most standards of "good"...he isn't. But what he plays and sings and the "delivery" of the songs is so authentic that I am literally compelled to listen. Karen looks at me like I'm nuts. The other is by Edna Ritchie (one of Jean's older sisters). Her voice is positively angelic and possesses that same quality that Jean has. But where years of public performing and recording has "toned" Jean, this recording of Edna is like sitting in a settlement school in Kentucky and hearing the traditions of the mountains.

Two different voices. Both have merit, but would get differing views from "outsiders." But they both share in the all important delivery and the "truth" comes through.

Spaw