Best performance of a ballad

Subject: Your favourite performance of a ballad
From: the button
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:42 PM

As a spin-off from the definition thread, so we can unashamedly talk about what we like. Also, a good way of getting recommendations from other posters, I reckon.

For a long time, it's been Walter Pardon's "The trees they do grow high." However, since I heard Joseph Taylor's "Lord Bateman," I'm just blown away every time I listen to it (which has been a lot). The power of the vocal, the ornamentation that doesn't get in the way of the lyric. Everything.

As far as revival singers go, it's got to Mike Waterson doing "Tam Linn." The way he alters the tone of his voice for the different verses. And that pause he puts in -- "a voice said [pause] 'Lady, how dare you pluck a rose....?"

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:52 PM

I'm rather partial to Davey Stewart doing "The Merchant's Son & the Beggar's Daughter" with that amazing melodeon.

and almost anything by Jean Redpath...because I just like her voice. Her version of "The Twa Corbies" got me into ballads 40 years ago,

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 08:18 PM

Stanley Robertson's "Tifty's Annie" would be very hard to top.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 08:51 PM

dick greenhaus - I'm not familiar with Stanley Robertson but if the song is the one I'm thinking of, it is a very compelling write. My favorite version of it however, would be from The Old Blind Dogs, with Jim Malcolm doing the vocals. I've wanted to do the song and even told Jim last year that I simply can't because the words bring me to tears and the storyline just breaks my heart - so I leave it for others to sing.

With the above written, however, I would have to submit Loreena McKennitt doing, "The Highwayman." I had the night available and wanted to attend her concert in Dallas a while back but even the cheap seats were a bit too much; but, it would be tough to beat her doing that song.

Now, finally, with all that being written, I heard Betsy McGovern at the Mississippi Celtic Festival last year singing, "The Lakes Of Ponchartrain" and I almost passed out - I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Check her out if you haven't heard her. Cheers.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 02:44 AM

Ewan MacColl singing "James Herries" in South Shields in 1970 and more recently Louis Killen singing "The Flying Cloud" in Long Eaton 2005

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 02:47 AM

Martin Carthy singing ' Little Musgrave ' and Ewan MacColl singing ' Child Owlet ' both chilling.

eric

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 04:16 AM

Right now it has to be Mrs Pearl Brewer's singing of The Cruel Mother (All Down By the Greenwood Side) which you may download gratis at The Max Hunter Folk Song Collection.

In terms of the revival performance, Peter Bellamy's The Trees They Grow High (from Both Sides Then) is damn near definitive; and in terms of seminal influence: Martin Carthy's Lucy Wan (on the Byker Hill album).

And talking of seminal influences: Fred Lane's sterling rendition of King Orfeo which might be found on Styrbjorn Bergelt's Talharpa och Videflojte album from 1979. This is only time I've heard (and heard of) Fred Lane; the album notes say he's from Oldham, Lancashire. Could anyone tell me more??

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 09:23 AM

I don't know whether she ever recorded it but Rosemary Hardman's version of the Suffolk Miracle raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: .spiderman
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 10:43 AM

My vote would go to Martin Simspon's version of Andrew Lammie - he certainly holds me captivated for the full nine minutes.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: peregrina
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 10:53 AM

I am with Dick about Stanley Robertson's Tifty's Annie.

And there are several ballads and ballad-like songs sung by Dillard Chandler seem just...galvanizing to me.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: fretless
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 11:15 AM

Little Musgrave, recorded by Planxty. Recorded back in the 70s on The Woman I Loved So Well; now on YouTube, although I think the recorded version is better.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Peter T.
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 11:26 AM

Nothing beats Rick Fielding's version of "Sir Patrick Spens." An epic.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 11:59 AM

Jeez that's a hard one. Very close to the top of any list I ever compiled would be Dillard Chandler's recording of Matty Groves. I'd also elect Horton Barker's version of the Brown Girl, The Cherry Tree Carol by Jean Ritchie, both the recordings of Andrew Lammie by Jane Turriff and Sheila Stewart, Joe Heaney's The Bonny Boy, Elizabeth Cronin's Lord Gregory, Hedy West and The Three Babes, Joe McCafferty's John Barbour and Corny McDaid's False Lover John, with a substantial side bet on Kevin Mitchell's recording of that same song.

The trouble is that one then thinks of Ewan MacColl, and MacColl was in my opinion the finest ballad singer who ever appeared on record. In fact I'd vote for just about any ballad he ever recorded. However personal favourites include The Lass of Roch Royal, The Cruel Mother and The Beggar Laddie. However, if I was ever allowed to take just one recording of a ballad to any desert island of my choice, it would have to be Maccoll singing Clyde's Water. Even when ranked among such a superlative list, it stands head and shoulders above everything else.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,David
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 12:44 PM

Martin Carthy's The Death of Young Andrew on his Because It's There LP and CD shows his masterful craftsmanship as a ballad singer and instrument player.The guitar work and sound is uncanny.You can experience the anger, pathos and fear of the parties involved.
As a runner up I would add Stan Roger's Harris and the Mare. Brillant execution.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 01:29 PM

Hedy West and the Three Babes -- was that an all-girl old-time group that I missed?? ;-D

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 02:47 PM

No. Hedy West was one of the best American singers who ever drew breath. The Three Babes is a common title in America for The Wife Of Ushers Well, Child 79, which HW recorded on Topic 12T 117, Old Times and Hard Times. I thought she actually called it The Three Babes. However, looking up the track listing, it's down as The Wife Of Ushers Well.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Cats
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 02:57 PM

For me it has to be Jacqui Ross. Every time.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 04:21 PM

I just love 'em all.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: the button
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 08:07 PM

Thanks for the contributions all. I agree about Peter Bellamy's "The trees...." being the definitive revival performance of that ballad. Which is a bit of a sod if you decide you want to perform it yourself with concertina accompaniment -- very hard to stop it being a cover version.

Would this be a good moment to admit that (as far as I can recall) I haven't heard a single thing by Ewan McColl? Possibly something of an oversight, eh?

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: the button
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 08:08 PM

I would add that I managed a degree in theology without reading Luke's gospel, so perhaps this isn't surprising.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Padre
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:35 AM

Helen Schneyer's singing of 'Sheath and Knife' could send chills down my back.

Padre

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Fiddlegrrl
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:46 AM

Maddy Prior's a cappella Child Owlet (on a disc simply called BALLADS), hands down.

The Steeleye version that came later is nowhere near as creepy!

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 05:26 AM

Here's a couple more to add to the list I posted yesterday.

The Keane Sisters. Lord Donegal. Child 75. Absolutely awesome. I remember being moved to tears when I heard them sing it one night in a Listowel pub.

Lizzie Higgins. Lady Mary Ann. Her version of Long a' Growing and a markedly different treatment compared to any other version I've ever heard.

Lucy Stewart's extraordinary version of The Cruel mother.

Eddie Butcher. The Cocks is Crowin'. Not quite a ballad perhaps but but obviously owing some influence to Child 248. And absolutely hair raising.

Finally, although I can't understand a word of it, Mihai Constantin's Iovan Iorgovan from Southern Oltenia in Romania should not be left off any list of breathtaking ballad perfomances. Here's the translation. You can find his riveting performance on The Alan Lomax Collection; World Library of Folk and Primitive Music. Vol XVII. Romania. Rounder 1759

"Green of the corn blight. On yonder hilltop it has rained and drizzled for the last three days and it gets no better. Yesterday, like a man accursed, lovan Iorgovan arose, the son of a shepherd, of a mountaineer, of a larch tree. God damn him. He was a terrible hero! He has heard it said that beyond the mountain is a coiled snake, a monstrous snake. When it roams the countryside it snatches up a heifer or a fat cow, or a beautiful maiden. It eats at one meal as much as it would take [a man] a summer to hunt. Wondrous to behold. So what did lovan do? Started on his way on Thursday morning in the dew and fog; fog at his back and dew at his feet. Wondrous to behold! With his bitch ahead of him he marched straight on. With his hounds on his leash he went at a great pace. Hawk on his fist, he goes his wondrous way......."

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 11:08 AM

My current favourite is Lizzie Higgins singing 'A Beggar Man' on Topic's 'Voice of the People' Vol. 17 ('It fell on a day, on a bonny summer day'). Such effortless control of text, tune, rhythm and pace! A triumph - absolutely beautiful! I could play it over and over and never get tired of it.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,JHW in the library
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:16 PM

I'm glad this came up as when I woke up this morning (True) I remembered 'The Lady of Shallot' Spoken, probably on radio 4 some years back by a female reader which performance was outstanding, absolutely captivating and indeed I was thinking to upset the 'what is a ballad' thread by suggesting a ballad does not even need to be a song!
John

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Les from Hull
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:37 PM

There have been so many excellent ballad performances that I can't consider picking out a 'best'. So I'll just play tribute to two of my earliest recollections of well-performed ballads that lead me into listening to and singing ballads. Both are from 'Folk Union One' - Hull's much-missed pioneer folk club and both are Watersons - Mike singing Tam Lin and Lal singing Lucy Wan.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:24 PM

Ah those early days at the Bluebell!
Mike's Tam Lin, yes, and The Seven Gipsies, and Jim Eldon did some mean ballads as well. I wish he still sang them, Earl Brand, Cruel Mother, The Demon Lover. They did plenty of broadside ballads as well, Bold General Wolfe, Brave Wolfe, White Cockade, Lal's Stow Brow.
Then Jock with his store of ballads, numerous beggar lasses and bothy ballads. Apparently Dick Gaughan always said Jock was one of his biggest influences.

Plug...we've got Jim singing Cruel Mother (Lady of York) on the Yorkshire Garland website.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Tradsinger
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:39 PM

Agree about Heidi West and "there was a woman" (Wife of Usher's Well). Vera Aspey did a great job on "Dowie Dens of Yarrow". Got to mention Denny Smith's "Lord Bateman". Anything by Sheila Kay Adams. Fred Jordan's 'Outlandish Knight'.

How's that for a start

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:40 PM

Lorena McKinnet's "Lady of Shalott" is pretty damn good.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:44 PM

Yes, Fred's Outlandish Knight. There is still a lot to be said for letting the ballad tell its own story without any dramatics or personal interference and Fred did that. I liked Jim Eldon's version as well.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 05:11 PM

I like Nic Jones's Lord Bateman. Very plain, very steady paced, without the ornamentation and the extra beats he threw into a lot of his stuff, and it works.

I do like ballads that walk along - not that halting, psalm-like delivery Anne Briggs did a lot. Someone who gets it right, to my mind, is John Kelly; his Valiant Sailor is superb (broadside ballad but I think it qualifies).

Guilty pleasure: Dave and Toni Arthur's Cruel Mother.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 07:20 AM

I can't recommend Martin McDonagh's magnificent version of Young Hunting (Lady Margaret) highly enough.
It is one of the finest uncluttered and totally committed pieces of ballad singing I have ever heard.
It can be heard on the recently re-released 'Songs of The Irish Travellers'.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Brian Peters
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 09:30 AM

"Fred's Outlandish Knight. There is still a lot to be said for letting the ballad tell its own story without any dramatics or personal interference and Fred did that."

What I remember particularly about Fred Jordan's Outlandish Knight (when he sang it at the National several years ago) was that, after the verse in which the drowning baddie says, "stretch out your hand and I swear I'll marry thee", Fred gave a wonderfully derisive snort before continuing "Lie there, lie there, falsehearted young man...." Unlike Steve, I always thought that was a wonderfully personal touch of humour and drama.

My favourite 'Outlandish Knight', though, has to be Bill Cassidy's 'Pretty Polly' recorded by Jim Carroll himself. A mesmerizing, other-wordly performance.

When I tell you that the other two great examples that spring to my mind are Phil Tanner's 'Henry Martin' and Davie Stewart's 'Dowie Dens of Yarrow' (with that incredible, rule-breaking accordian accompaniment), you'll realise that I view 'deadpan delivery' theories with some scepticism.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 09:56 AM

I see above a reference to an album by Maddy Prior called simply"Ballads" where she sings Child Owlet. I have checked several sources and was unable to find any info on this disc. Can you give more info, label, release date ..so on ? Thank you.
As for my favourite..there are many by June Tabor..Highie Graham, Clark Saunders. But any of them sung by Frankie Armstrong are wonderful as it Martin Carthys' Bonnie Lass of Angelsy (sic).

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 10:07 AM

Whatever I might think of Maddy Prior as a singer, my attitude to her knowledge of ballads was forever tainted by her radio programme 'In Praise of Ballads' which was one of the most direly pseud approach to the subject I have ever heard - (complete with an on-the-spot psychoanalysis of them as she went along).
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 10:43 AM

what a peculiar thread.
surely a judgement of anyones singing,depends on the mood of the listener at the time .
and is subjective anyway.

The very term best performance,has a competitive ring.
and of course Jim Carroll,[whats new] slagging Maddy Prior off for something that happened forty/fifty years ago.
Jim you sound like one of those 78 rpm records thats got stuck in a groove,I suppose we will hear your Bob Davenport story next.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:09 AM

It's amazing that no one has mentioned Jeannie Robertson yet.... her version of "Son David" (Edward) is special....

I am at a loss to pick others by name.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:17 AM

Then University of Washington student, Nancy Quense, a very long time ago at "The End," a coffee house in Tacoma, Washington, singing "The Four Maries." There were many others, but that one has long resonated in my memory. For me, it has always been about more than the recorded sound. Seeing a performer's face and body language conveys more than the words and melody alone ever could. That's why you can never replace the immediacy of small venues which offer a close connection between performer and audience.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:20 AM

I have been digging into my archives and playing some of those noted above, and I am grateful for the reminders of performances I had either missed of forgotten.

Martin Simspon's version of Andrew Lammie is indeed fine.

And I must say that Padre's mention of Helen Schneyer takes me back. Having heard her sing in person so many times...and perhaps "Sheath and Knife" twice, I realize how much I miss her. When Jean Redpath recorded "Sheath & Knife", she noted that, after hearing Helen sing it, it took her a couple of years to approach it herself.

So many wonderful ballads & performances....one can never do justice to a list.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: CET
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:35 AM

Harpgrrl - I have to agree with you about Maddy Prior and Chyld Owlett. I'd never heard the song before that recording. Guest HiLo: I don't have access to my CD collection right now, but Dick Greenhaus could get you the CD.

Of course, you can never establish who gave the "best" performance of anything, but I have to disagree with Captain Birdseye. Judging singing is not entirely subjective. Power, breath control, singing on key, tonal quality - these are all realities.

However, the good Captain does have a point. A lot depends on your mood at the time.

For me, I would have to put Janet Russell at the top of my personal list right now for her performance of Dowie Dens of Yarrow and her duet with Maddy Prior of Twa Corbies, both on Fyre and Sword. She has the most fabulous deep voice of any female folk singer I've heard. For male singers, Jim Malcolm springs to mind, particularly his rendition of Mill O' Tiftie's Annie. He has it all - beautiful voice that doesn't get in the way of the ballad. Ian Robb's performance of On Board a Ninety-Eight at the Goderich Celtic College also rates very highly.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:40 AM

Can't think why I didn't include Fred's version of "The Outlandish Knight" especially as that was from where I learned the song.
MacColl's rendition of "Child Owlett" blew the bloke sat next to me off his stool first time I heard him do it.
Tony Rose used to do a pretty damn fine version of "Sheath and Knife" as I recall.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 01:48 PM

The thread is perhaps better titled "Great performances of ballads" -- I think no one's really saying their selections are best (meaning no others are as good), but that they're among their favorites. This kind of list is great for pointing people to material they may not have heard.

Thanks for the contributions.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: the button
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 03:19 PM

Getting that kind of list is one of the reasons I started the thread. Unfortunately, "Best performance of a ballad, in my humble opinion," is too long for the little box. ;-)

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 05:16 PM

Taking it as the "best performance of a ballad that I have witnessed" I remember Pete Moreton coming to Wellington, Somerset back in the mid 1980s and he was persuaded to sing Tam Lin. It was a real pin drop atmosphere and the hairs rose on the back of the neck.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 05:38 PM

Jim Eldon did some mean ballads as well. I wish he still sang them, Earl Brand

Jim sang Earl Brand?! Any recordings...?

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 06:37 PM

It would be on his earlier albums if at all. Some of the Hull recorders who recorded at the Bluebell in the 60s would have it if not.
It's not on the famous knitted cover CD with the clogging but there are lots of ballads on this:-

The Folkestone Murder, Lord Bateman, No my love not I, Robin Hood and the Three Squires, The Laidly Worm, A Nobleman lived in a Mansion, Bold Dickie and Bold Archie, Bold Princess Royal, Bonny Labouring Boy, and Acre o' Land.

His version starts
Oh did you ever hear of the brave Earl Brand
Hey lily ho lily hi lee
...........
In the brave night so early.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Fiddlegrrl
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:02 PM

I believe someone asked about the BALLADS CD with Maddy's Chyld Owlett.
I knew that would happen when I posted in a rush. :)

"Maddy Prior" + "Ballads" = how are ya supposed to Google on that? (Not being facetious here at all)

Anyway. It's a CD by Fellside, simply called BALLADS. FECD 110.

http://www.fellside.com

Type "Ballads" into the search box and you'll get it.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: olddude
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:26 PM

Almost any ballad by Lightfoot,
Murdoch ain't too bad either ya know (fir an old guy)

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,Guest- John LaPrelle
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 12:15 AM

Down in our part of the country we usually do our bowing in the direction of Rebecca King Jones doing "Awake, Awake." (Best Original Source Singer)

Ralph Stanley is our entry in the "Professional Musician" category for "Pretty Polly."

I'd give Dillard Chandler the "Best Appalachian Ballad Style" award.

For best unknown (a special Mudcat challenge), I'd say Dan Stafford for "The House Carpenter."

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 08:35 AM

Thank you for the info on the Maddy Prior album (CD) , I would love to have it and will order it. I love these threads because you hear of so much music that you are unfamiliar with. Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Brian Peters
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 09:37 AM

'Ballads' is a various-artist compilation, not a Maddy Prior solo recording. That's no reason you shouldn't buy it, though.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,Davey Brennan or Dave murphy, whichever you
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 11:08 AM

I'm living now in Edinburgh now and was hoping to go to a few clubs. Of course I don't know any 'cause I never lived here before. But, I think the best performance I think I saw was Joe Heaney singing the Ship Millrose. There was genuine tears in his eyes and after the line, "And I let him have the third one then before I did depart" he shouted out to us all, "But I didn't do it." Now, I don't know if there were any theatrics involved but I didn't detect any falsehood.

Another one was False Lover, John, sung by Cornie. But, I was glancing through the Café for to confirm I had the words right--I never write things down and sometimes forget lines, but not all the verses are there listed. I don't know if these things are important anymore; I used to think it was but the fact that the song is sung at all is absolutely fantastic in this day and age. Anyway, If you want the few extra I have you're welcome to them. There was a cassette tape that came out years ago that Jim and Carol did, I think and the shortened version was recorded there. It was a generalized habit by some singers not to sing all the verses of songs in case, "they were taken away."

Incidentally, I'd like to catch up with people who once knew me. If you feel like dropping a line, my e-mail is, [e-mail]

Davey

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,Neil Bostock
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 01:48 PM

Two performances spring to mind -- Tony Rose singing Young Hunting, which kept me riveted every time I heard it. A tour de force. And Dave and Toni Arthur's version of Tam Lin, where they switch harmonies in the middle of the song, creating incredible drama.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 03:51 PM

... + Tony Rose's Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford; and Paddy Butcher's Robin Hood & the 15 Foresters.

≈M≈

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: GUEST,Georgina Boyes
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 05:43 PM

Rae Fisher - "Willie's Fatal Visit"

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 05:59 PM

John Kelly singing Andrew Rose.

Bob Dylan's Ballad in plain D takes some beating.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 11:38 PM

I've created a playlist in AIMP player and now have loaded 10 of the selections people have noted... will add more later, but I'm going to bed with Janet Russell singing "Yarrow" in my head.

Subject: RE: Best performance of a ballad
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Jul 15 - 12:44 AM

Janet Russell singing anything is a trip to heaven...