Does a folk singer have to sing 'well'?

Subject: RE: Does a folk singer have to sing 'well'?
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 10:23 PM

Hello, everyone, i'm new here!

Whilst i appreciate a well-trained voice as much as the next person, i think that the beauty of folk music is that it is a very organic, and deeply human art form. It comes from the innate desire of all humans to express themselves, to tell a story, to invoke an emotional response in their audience- and a trained, note perfect, but passionless delivery of a song, no matter how good the material, will never achieve this. Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive, and a singing voice can be pleasing to the ear at the same time as being expressive of emotion which is probably the best place to be in as a singer; but on the other hand, look at bob dylan howling his way through desire. I can't listen to that album without feeling deeply moved, yet the same songs sung by others don't have the same effect on me.
Another example(nothing to do with folk, but a lot to do with how the delivery of a song can make or break it) is a recent cover version of Nirvana's All Apologies by a female singer who's name I can't remember (sorry!). Although it is sung beautfully, it fails to convey the raw emotion of the original.

Sorry for warbling on! Great discussion, by the way!

Subject: RE: Does a folk singer have to sing 'well'?
From: Bert
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 10:54 PM

Right Kendall, Now all I've got to do is get them in the right place.

Subject: RE: Does a folk singer have to sing 'well'?
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 03:17 AM

With apologies to all Dylan fans--and to the Man himself---[and "kettle" and "black" might well spring to mind considering this comment comes from a Scotsman!]--Bob's lyrics are truly excellent, but I had to READ them to know what the heck he was singing about!!

Subject: RE: Does a folk singer have to sing 'well'?
From: kendall
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 06:41 AM

I don't mind a rough crude voice in folk music, hell I probably will end up with one myself, but if I am unable to sing on key, I will quit.

Subject: RE: Does a folk singer have to sing 'well'?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 06:44 AM

...or consider taking up talking blues, Kendall. But I don't think singing off key is a likelihood; it has more to do with one's ear than one's voice, if you know what I mean.

Subject: RE: Does a folk singer have to sing 'well'?
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 10:27 AM

does an instruement player need to play well???????

Subject: RE: Does a folk singer have to sing 'well'?
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:12 PM

Although i might just be bitter and twisted because i can't sing myself...