Some of my earliest encounters of real ballads & folk music were of Jean & her wondrous voice. I first checked out LPs of her from my public library in Kansas about 1961 or so. ("Scottish Ballad Book")

I then collected everything I could find by her in the next 15 years...until I moved to Wash. D.C and saw her in person and met her. Her command of language and accents amazed me... especially when she used it to illustrate things ABOUT music & culture.

Her command of an audience was complete... she could work her way thru 4-5 songs without leaving 'space' for applause! She would end a song, slip into a story, and lead into the next song without pause.

Then, I watched her begin the 2nd half of a concert without an introduction by just moving onto the stage as people were just settling into their seats and launching into "Jock O'Hazeldean"....

♫"Why weep ye by the tide lady.."♫.... and she had complete attention! Just that opening "Why" was enough!.

My 1st year here, Jean was booked by a club for 3 nights, and I made sure to be early for a front row seat. I was, of course, awed. The 2nd night, I went back and got the same seat.
Jean came out on stage, rested her guitar gently on the stage, looked down at me about 6 feet away, and said with a twinkle in her eye, "Aye... yer a real glutton fer punishment, aren't ye?"

.....now I must go wipe my eyes and find some records to play.. perhaps the one she signed for me....


There ARE Angels Hovering 'Round and now, one more.