'define folk singer'...maybe said tongue in cheek but it's spot-on, really, as we've all got different ideas of exactly what is folk anyway. I'm not too purist about it - being of the 'if we don't let it change, it'll stagnate' camp, but again, the purists keep the old original tradition going.

My faves are a mixed bag, starting with Bob Dylan who 'introduced' me to all the others. Joni Mitchell. Sandy Denny. Norma Waterson - listening to her singing 'Black Muddy River' has the hairs standing up on the back of my neck.Joan Baez. Richard Thompson.

And the younger generation, Eliza C, Kate Rusby when I'm in the mood, Bellowhead, Uncle Earl, Chris While & Julie Matthews.

And probably many more too numerous to mention (or remember!)

Like beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder.