Favourite Folk Singers ?

Subject: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 06:55 PM

I feel sure this must have been done before, but I just looked at my screen and none of the threads at the top were about music so here goes.
Who are your favourite folk singers? Mine are
Billy Bragg
Ewan McColl
June Tabor
Bert Jansch
Bob Dylan
Runrig
The Dubliners
The Spinners
Kate Rusby
Michelle Shocked
Would you say Sheryl Crow was folk? How do you define folk anyway.(I think she sounds like Michelle Shocked & she is folk).john

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Angie
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 07:14 PM

I't's got to be my dad, Ian Raymond, formerly of Beggars Row now going solo, Heather Heywood, Dick Gaughan,The Battlefield Band, Christie Moore and many, many more fabulous talented people.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 07:30 PM

I like Christy Moore as well, I havent heard anything by the others you mention yet, but I will look out for them.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Suffet
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 12:01 AM

List subject to change at any time without prior notice.

1. Ellen Stekert singing "Songs of a New York State Lumberjack" (Folkways LP).

2. My late mom, Marion Schoenberg Suffet who went by the name Marion Shaw. A jazz singer by preference, she nevertheless gave into my childhood taste and sang "The Wabash Cannon Ball" and "Sixteen Tons" to me while accompanying herself on her Martin uke.

3. Some woman named Betty whom I heard recently. She's a school security officer in New York City.

4. Alison Kelley of both The Johnson Girls and The Next Tradition.

5. Some woman whose name I either forget or else never knew, who got up and sang some songs in a pub in Sligo 14 years ago. She was really good.

6. Ellen Moslin, someone I went out with once in high school.

7. Bonnie Dobson, whom Ellen Moslin and I went to hear once in Greenwich Village.

8. Pete Seeger.

9. Woody Guthrie.

10. Sis Cunningham.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 12:25 AM

Thanks Suffet, I have just recently got interested in folk music, I have aout 20 CDs up to now.Are there any CDs you think every folk fan should own?

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 01:09 AM

Good lord, if you just take the 'Catters alone who are well known in the folk world, you'd be on your way. Sandy and Caroline Paton, singers and collectors and the owners of Folk-Legacy Records......as a matter of fact, buy anything Folk-Legacy has!

Jean Ritchie is a member here and that's about as folk as you get, a legend and the "Mother of the Mountain Dulcimer."

Then there's Art Thieme......try his compilation, "The Older I Get The Better I Was" and you'll hear what it was to be a real folksinger and a few tall tales as well.

Or Dan Milner, who's new CD (with Bob Conroy, his partner), "Irish in America" is a classic piece of work!!!

Seamus Kennedy does it all! A great folk/trad singer and knows how to deliver a song.....and how to work an audience.

Rick Fielding.........A real student of folk and an absolutely fantastic picker and singer....multi-talented and simply fantastic.

Dave Swan of "Oak, Ash, and Thorn" who are a great trio in the style of the Copper Family but with a sense of humor unmatched anywhere to go along with the talent!

Kendall Morse, a great Maine storyteller and singer who can really deliver the goods.

Jed Marum, both a folkie and singer/songwriter with a great old time flavor to his newer work.

Plus at least a dozen more as well as those who don't yet have CD's to buy....like Musicman, Big Mick, alison, Jeri, and a hundred others in that category.

Sorry if I left out a name or thirty gang.......This is one VERY talented and folkie place!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 01:14 AM

Well, six others just came to mind, but I'm not going to embarass myself further by posting them and then coming back with a dozen more.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:03 AM

Thanks Spaw, Im sure I have heard of Seamus Kennedy somewhere else, is he famous? (this is a serious question I am not trying to be sarcastic or someting like that).

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:08 AM

he is pretty well known...and very deservedly so...

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Benjamin
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:10 AM

John, you're not talking about the Spinners from Detroit are you? Are we going to have to define and redefine folk yet again?

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:13 AM

Benjamin- I mean the Spinners from Liverpool UK. No I just wondered if you thought Sheryl Crow was folk.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:18 AM

oh and you can get seamus kennedy and jed marum from www.cdbaby.com

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: pavane
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 04:27 AM

How about Nic Jones, Tony Rose

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: nutty
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:01 AM

Jez Lowe
Heather Heywood
Keith Kendrick

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:49 AM

Jaysus ... where to start?

Some that haven't yet been mentioned ... Luke Kelly, Shane MacGowan, Paul Brady (circa his stint with the Johnstons ands shortly after before he became a "singer songwriter"), The Clancy Brothers (with or without Tommy Makem), Tommy Makem, Sarah Makem, The Pecker Dunne, Margaret Barry, Triona Ni Domhnaill, Paddy Tunney, Kevin Conneff, Great Big Sea, my sister Josie Sinclair (wasted talent, makes me sick), Dermot Maguire, Shay Kennedy (from Achill Island, not Seamus Kennedy of Belfast, who's already got a mention), Deirdre Ni Chinneide of Crumlin (Dublin), Dolores Keane (her version of Galway Bay would crucify you), Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy, Nick Drake, Dick Hogan, Steve Earle, Doc Watson, aaaaaaarrgghhhhhhh ... can't be done! Each name just throws up more and more associations ... I'll have to stop otherwise I'll be here for days. But have to mention Andy M. Stewart and the GOD-DADDY of all singers (and the fact that he only just popped into my head as I was about to sign off shows how difficult these list exrercises can be) LEN GRAHAM.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: English Jon
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:54 AM

Martin and Norma, Liza + Band. The Wilsons, Young Tradition, Valley folk, Damien Barber, Hedningarna, Nic Jones, Shirley/Dolly Collins, Barry Hunt, Billy Bragg, Sam Larner, Copper Familly, Tim van Eyken, Nancy K and James F (also Scalene), Tarika, etc etc...

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:54 AM

All from Ireland, Paddy Reilly, Liam Clancy, Tommy Makem, Dolores Keane, The early Mary Black, Christy Moore,Frank Harte, Eleanor Shanley, Maura O Connell,Luke Kelly, Ronnie Drew, Danny Doyle, Johnny McEvoy,Maggie Barry, Packer Dunne, and to all those I have overlooked, not forgetting the groups. For being such a wee speck on the map we can compete with the best Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Brían
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:58 AM

Seán 'ac Dhonnchadha, Johnny Máirtín Learaí, Colm o'Donnell, Séamus Ennis.

Brían.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: ermintrudeclaire
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 06:03 AM

Off the top of my head, Simon Nicol, Bob Fox, Jez Lowe, The Spinners (Liverpool) Huw and Tony Williams, The Corries, Burl Ives, Ewan MaColl, Tommy Makem.

really I like most male vocalists that I can sing along with and have a marked preference for the ones with the 'treacley voices' like Simon Nicol!!!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Suffet
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 06:54 AM

By the way, the original question was: Who are your favourite* folk singers? It didn't ask who you believe are the most accomplished musicians or who you believe are the most important contributors to folk music as a whole or to any particular folk tradition. It simply asked us to name our favourites. I answered the question truthfully.


*British for favorite.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:00 AM

I answered truthfully, Steve, although like you I'd have to qualify by saying that any list I would draw up is subject to change at any moment.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Brían
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:37 AM

Ditto.

Brían

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: English Jon
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:45 AM

Ard Mhacha's reminded me: Sarah Makem (Tommy's Mum) Fantastic singer.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 08:16 AM

Martin Simpson . . Going from your original list, try his "Live" (UK recording) or his new Topic release (of mainly English trad. songs) which I've yet to purchase . . For a more Blues bias - it has to be "Smoke and Mirrors".

Martin Carthy (with Swarbrick): the CD of Byker Hill - old, but still possibly his finest album.

Tomas Lynch: The Crux of the Catalogue: The finest ever Irish Folk recording.

Nancy Kerr and James Fagin: The very best of the UK's "young folkies".

Roy Bailey

No, I wouldn't say Ms Crow was even remotely Folk (nor, really that Ms Shocked was) - well, not in the more common UK usages of the term. Not that it matters a fig either way!

G.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 09:30 AM

Mr. Ed.

Also Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Stan Rogers, and yesterday's birthday boy Arlo and his dad.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,John Hernandez
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 09:30 AM

The late Mississippi John Hurt. Everyone else is a distant runner-up.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 09:58 AM

Frankie Armstrong
Jean Redpath
Ray Fisher
Norma Waterson
Jeannie Robertson
Maggie Peirce
Gill Burns (from Liverpool; is she still around?)
Margaret Barry
Belle Stewart
Heather Wood
June Tabor
Shirley Collins
Anni Fentiman
Helen Schneyer
Maddy Prior
Judy Cook
Jeri

Just a coupla the women who come to mind -- and I like male singers and groups, too! The list goes on...

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Benjamin
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 10:09 AM

Sheryl Crow? Folk? I don't see the connection. Please explain further!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 10:20 AM

So many wonderful singers named here. My personal favourite is Christy Moore.

Jon

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 10:31 AM

Bat Goddess - ME??!?!?...?

I can't honestly name all of my favorites! Some I like for the songs they do, some for how they sound, some for how they present a song. Someone could be my favorite singer at the moment because of one song, others are long-term favorites. Sometimes, in a song circle/session, my favorite is whoever happens to be singing. I'm wimping out of this one!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,chrisj
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 10:36 AM

Irish: Joe Heaney, English: Cyril Tawney, Scottish: Máire Mhór, Welsh: any of the better male voice choirs.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Angie
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 10:40 AM

I'm sitting here nodding in agreement with everyone elses fave's.....so many wonderfull artists, I could go on and name another dozen or so just off the top of my head but I'll refrain from hogging the space.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: LR Mole
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 10:56 AM

Phil Ochs.Taj Mahal.Nick Drake.Randy Newman.Leah Kunkel.The Band. Robert Johnson. Buddy Holly. Tom Paxton. and OXO WHITNEY!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: TamthebamfraeScotland
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 11:09 AM

My favourite folk singers are: The Spinners, The Dubliners, The Corries, Eric Bogle, Pete Seeger, Ewan McColl etc. The list of my favourite folksingers is endless, I just like these Folksingers who either give you a chance to siing along. However I don't like the ones who do a concert and end up just playing for themseleves and to hell with the audiance.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 12:39 PM

Any and all of the above and many more too. I would have to say though that my Wife is my favourite folk singer. The only trouble is she would tell you I am lying, it's Maddy Prior really. JohnB

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 01:12 PM

Thank you very much Spaw, I wont even attempt to list all of mine.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Big Tim
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 03:33 PM

American - Woody, Cisco Houston, Ramblin Jack Elliott, Peggy seeger, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez.

Canadian - Leonard Cohen, Kate and Anna McGarrigle.

Irish - McPeake Family,Luke Kelly, Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Dolores Keane, Margaret Barry, Mary O'Hara, Sean O Se.

Scottish - Dick Gaughan, Bobby Eaglesham, Norman Kennedy, Enoch Kent, Josh McCrae, Donny Monro (Runrig), Rory Macdonald (Runrig).

English - Ewan MacColl, Johnny Jones (Oysterband) Sandy Denny, Maddy prior, June Tabor.

Of the pure folkies Luke Kelly is tops, of the singersongwriters, Dylan. And no arguments please!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:11 PM

Allan Taylor Ralph McTell Joni Mitchell [ early ] Paul Simon Tom Paxton Big Bill Broonzy said said all the songs he ever heard were folk songs "I aint heard no hosses singing". So on that basis Tom Lehrer for writing some of the funniest songs ever.

Jock

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:30 PM

Thanks everbody, I'm going to write these down and buy some of these CDs.john

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,AKRick
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 06:15 PM

To paraphrase Big Bill Broonzy ... it's all folk music 'till I hear a horse sing. Anyway, I have a long list but I'll just mention Archie Fisher, Norma Waterson and Anne Briggs. Rick

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: kendall
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:17 PM

Sure, Dylan wrote a handful of good songs, but, Utah Phillips and Tom Paxton have written scores of them. (IMO)

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: DougR
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:49 PM

I, like Kendall, won't attempt to name them all (which include many I did not know prior to the Mudcat ...including Kendall, Rick, and Jed) so I'll just list my all time favorite, who introduced me to folk music ...Burl Ives.

DougR

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 07:51 PM

Mickey McConnell (Chordstrangler here on the 'Cat), every one of his songs is a polished diamond, and he's probably the most articulately lyrical Irish songwriter/singer in many a year, Tommy Makem, Bill Staines, Priscilla Herdman, Luke Kelly, Andy M. Stewart, Doc Watson, Kendall Morse and many others. MY definition of 'favorite' is the the performer whose tapes I listen to in the car on a regular basis.

seamus

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: CET
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 08:54 PM

Well, this could go on forever. However, it's a great way to waste a few minutes. Since I joined the Mudcat a few months ago I have learned more about traditional musicians than I did in the past twenty years, so my list is expanding exponentially. I'll limit my picks to those who I think are truly great singers. There are plenty of famous folk musicians who have interesting personalities or who write good songs, but frankly have forgettable voices. For that reason Bob Dylan would never be on my list of great folk singers. I like listening to some of his recordings, but it's inspite of his voice.

So, for female singers I would have to start with Odetta. I am also wild about Janet Russell's voice. I was mildly chastised for saying on a previous thread that I thought she had done the definitive version of The Dowie Dens o' Yarrow. In retrospect, that probably was a silly thing to say, but she does have a stunning, powerful mezzo voice that rings clear as a bell even in the lower register. Her phrasing is among the best I've ever heard.

For male singers: Bryn Terfel, Liam Clancy, Graham Pirt, Pete Seeger, Ewan MacColl, Dick Gaughan when he's really on. I say that because he has an unfortunate tendency to let the ends of his lines fade away into a kind of mumble. However, I heard him do Scots Wha Hae on a TV special about Robert Burns in a way that sent shivers down my spine and made me look at the song as something other than just a piece of Scottish jingoism. I echo what Catspaw says about Kendall. I've only heard him sing a couple of times to my regret. Mickey MacConnell is a great singer too. I heard him at the Ballyshannon Folk Festival in 1993 and bought one of his cassettes. There isn't a dud on it. I would also have to add Waylon Jennings on any list of favourite singers. Not very folkie perhaps, but check out his performance on the companion CD to the Ken Burns Civil War TV series.

Albums that you must have? If you are into traditional music of the British Isles, I would have to say you have to own Fyre and Sworde: Songs of the Border Reivers. That's where I heard Janet Russell and Graham Pirt for the first time. It has IMHO the best singing I have ever heard on a folk music album. (But not definitive!) Every single song is a gem. I would also add Ewan MacColl's Songs of Two Rebellions, and the Tannahill Weavers self titled album. Actually, everything by the Tannahills is great. Stan Rogers' Northwest Passage, and... and... and...

Edmund

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,Duart
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 12:23 AM

Favourite folk singers? there are just too many, but the ones who have influenced me are: Roy Williamson and Ronnie Brown (The Corries), Ewan McColl,and Peggy Seeger, The Clancy Brothers, Bob Dylan (amazing songs!), and since I came to Australia 30 years ago :- Eric Bogle, Danny Spooner (no one sings better sea songs!) and the late Gordon McIntyre. But as I said, just far too many, but what a tradition.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: toadfrog
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 12:35 AM

The thread reads like the question was, "who is your favorite "contemporary" folk singer or "folk revival" singer. How about

Huddie Ledbetter (whom I think no one has mentioned);

Mance Lipscome (ditto)

Ewan McColl (no argument there)

NLCR collectively,

And (if we are going to include an Irishman) Sean Mac Donchadha

But I would like to hear, sometime, anybody even remotely in a class with Leadbelly. There just aren't any.

Best disks, Leadbelly with the Golden Gate Quarted (remastered); The Lark in the Morning, and American Folk Songs for Children (Pete, Mike, Peggy and Penny Seeger.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,Aoife
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 01:35 AM

Joni Mitchell, most definately.. who else combines such style and mood with elements of trad folk roots?

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 01:47 AM

Yes I like Joni Mitchell, My favourite is were she sings "They take all the trees and put the in them in a tree museum, then the charge you 25 bucks just to see them"

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: kendall
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 07:03 AM

OK, but, I will only name the ones who FIRST influenced me. Buryl Ives, The Weavers, Gordon Bok and The Patons.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Suffet
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 07:33 AM

OK, I'll talk about early influences on me, people who helped me early in life develop into a folksinger.

First, there was my mother, a sometimes jazz singer who appeared in the 1930s under the name Marion Shaw. Musically, she was a Billie Holiday wannabe, and she hated what she called "hillbilly music." But for some weird reason that's the stuff I wanted to hear, so she would sing "The Wabash Cannon Ball" and "Sixteen Tons" for me while accompanying herself on a ukelele. Other songs she would play for me were "Meet Me in Saint Louie, Louie," "Toot-Toot-Tootsie, Goodbye," "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Irene, Goodnight," and "So Long, It's Been Good to Know You." Only later did I learn that some of them were considered folksongs while others weren't. But the reality is I learned them all in a folkloric process.

Next, there was Oscar Brand. That's because he had this really great folk music program on the radio in New York City all the while I was growing up. He still has it.

Then there was Pete Seeger. Again, I first heard him as a child, and he kept on reappearing throughout my life. Most recently he showed up at a Woody Guthrie Song Swap and Jam Sesion I led in Hartford, Connecticut, this past January. Like Oscar Brand, Pete was always there.

Also when I was a child, there was this woman named Charity Bailey on television. She played the piano and got a whole pack of kids around her to sing and make music. I thought she was the coolest lady on TV.

A bit later were the various counselors at Camp Towanda, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, who would teach us all sorts of songs. The one I remember best was a fellow named Bob Seiden who played piano. Bob could get anyone to sing, any time, any place. That really impressed me.

Next were my folksinging friends I used to hang out with as a teenager while other kids our age were into sports and rock-n-roll. I guess today the school guidance counselors would take special notice of us, but back then no one did. Among these friends were Ken Paley, Paul Friedman, Alan Greenfield, Michael Spiegel, and sometimes Ellen Moslin, mentioned in an earlier message.


--- Steve

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: pavane
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 07:43 AM

john in hull - Joni Mitchell only charged a dollar and a half to see them - the 25 dollars was an update for inflation when someone revived the song, with an inferior version (as often happens). Why people try to remake classics is beyond me - it rarely works. (Madonna/American Pie, leaving out half the song, is just one example)

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: KitKat
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 07:55 AM

I'm surprised to see how many favourites are really old, or even gone! I suppose I must tend to listen to people who are alive and still performing. My present favourites are: Kate Rusby, Mary Black, Dolores Keane, Dave Burland, Nic Jones, Alison Krauss (who is, I suppose, strictly speaking, country rather than folk - I find the lines are very blurred with American artists.)

Pat

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 08:13 AM

Add to my list of yesterday (which again proves how flawed these efforts can be) Ron Kavana, Tracey Booth (ex-Sons of the Desert) and Kate Rusby whose "Little Lights" surpassed all my expectations. I know she gets a lot of stick from people, but she doesn't deserve it. More power to her!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: KitKat
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 09:38 AM

Does Kate get a lot of stick? Why? I've only ever heard praise for her and I think she is terrific. My husband thinks her voice is a bit twee, but then he likes some seriously weird stuff...

Pat

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 10:23 AM

Well , I've heard her get stick in some circles for "not being traditional enough" (cos she writes her own songs) or for being too "backward looking" (cos she doesn't write all her own songs). There's also been a few rumbles in this forum about how Radio 2 plays a lot of Rusby, which verged on the "she's too popular".

I've also heard a lot of people knock her "stage Yorkshire" act. I've heard her perform live a couple of times and I've never found that aspect remotely galling. I think she comes across as a genuine human being, so that when she sings a song like "Who Will Sing Me Lullabies", the story behind which I'd heard before I heard the song, I found myself with a lump in my throat the size of a beach ball. (And as I was on a crowded rush hour tube I had to swallow that lump down and pretend I had a speck of dust in my eye.)

I can't even begin to imagine what quality in her voice your husband finds twee. (I find a few of her songs twee ... not her voice ... but am prepared to accept them because, at the end of the day, we're not perfect and everybody's allowed to make a few wrong moves every now and then ... particularly when they are able to redeem themselves so easily.)

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: kendall
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 10:49 AM

I'm in love with Mary Black. Her rendition of Rose of Allendale is the best I have heard. Of course, I'm sure there are some whom I have not heard.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: chip a
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 11:34 AM

JOAN BAEZ (!) Tom Paxton, Tom Rush, Hoyt Axton, Ledbelly, Woodie Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie, Mississippi John Hurt, John Lee Hooker, Phil Ochs, Bill Broonzy, Dock Boggs, Harold Payne (local and dead!), Burl Ives, Roscoe Holcomb, Clarence Ashley, Betty Smith, Bob Dylan (and yes, I like his voice), Peggy Seeger......Wow! There are so many. Well, that's some of them anyway.

Chip A.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Erica Smith
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 04:14 PM

favorite girl folksinger: emmylou harris

favorite boy folksinger: townes van zandt

--erica from america

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: chip a
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 04:21 PM

O.K., Emmylou is way up there on my list. And if I ever get tired of looking at her, I understand she can sing too!

Chip A.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: DougR
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 04:36 PM

Funny, I \'ve thought of Emmylou more as a country than a folk singer. Regardless, she is really good and a classic beauty.

DougR

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Brían
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 04:51 PM

Cathal McConnell, Len Graham.

Brían.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Suffet
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 07:10 PM

i presume erica's favorite boy poet is e.e. cummings.

--- steve

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Stiofáin
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 08:10 PM

My favourites are Andy Irvine, Andy M. Stewart, Martin Carthy, Shane MacGowan, Luke Kelly. Hank Williams and Johnny Cash for folk of the colonies ;)

Never did like female singers very much - usually they don't touch me. Female singers usually do focus on the technical aspects of singing too much and neglect the feel and don't dare to "live out" a song.

Stiofáin

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 04:01 AM

Jaysus!

The first half of the post was goin' alright Stiofain, but then you had to insult half the world's population with that misogynistic second paragraph. To dismiss female singers as focussing only on the technical is absurd. I take it you haven't heard Norma Waterson, Kate Rusby, Margaret Barry, Sandy Denny, The Johnstons' girls, Triona Ni Domhnaill, Cathy Jordan (a name I left off my original list), Dolores Keane, etc, etc, etc.

Check out Dervish's versions of "Lone Shanakyle" or "For Ireland I Won't Tell Her Name" or "An Spailpin Fanach" and then come back here and say hand on heart that Cathy Jordan's focussing on the technical aspects of singing. (Admittedly her singing is superb technically ... but she goes way beyond the purely technical.)

Or listen to Triona Ni Domnnaill sing "Pretty Peg" or "Derry Gaol".

Or Dolores Keane sing "Galway Bay".

Or Kate Rusby sing "Who Will Sing Me Lullabies?".

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Gervase
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 04:52 AM

Depends what mood I'm in, I suppose - whether it's maudlin and introspective or pissed and loud....
Anyway, here comes a random discharge from my musical blunderbus:
Assorted Watersons and Carthys of various generations,
Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman,
The Wilsons,
Mickey MacConnell,
The Voice Squad,
Don Shepherd,
Chris Gorniak,
Moira Craig,
Geoff Higginbotham,
The McGarrigle Sisters,
Nic Jones,
John Tams,
Kate Rusby,
June Tabor,
Maddy Prior
Bob White,
Alan Garden

and, bloody hell, dozens of others that I've heard in clubs and sessions over the years and whose names are either forgotten or never learned - people who can lift the heart, inspire and move without the need for amplification, mixing, studio trickery or gizmos. I love unaccompanied singing, harmonies and the beauty of the human voice.
Which is why, in a probably pretentious and self-indulgent way, my list includes some unsung heroes - friends and acquaintances often from way back who happen to have or had wonderful voices and ways with words.
Like Rod Shearman, bless him.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 05:56 AM

Best of the boys - DICK GAUGHAN Best of the girls - DELORES KEANE

No Contest!!!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: kendall
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 08:46 AM

How can anyone make such a statement? You must have heard ALL of the women singers in the world! Of course, it is your right to express such an opinion, but, I wish you could hear Peg Alois, Caroline Paton and Kat Logan to name a few.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: chip a
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 09:49 AM

Oh yeah, I forgot Heddy West, Buffy StMarie, Jean Ritchie, Jonny Cash and,well, shoot, there's just too many. Depends on my mood. I guess my wife is my current female favorite.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,Janice in NJ
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 12:29 PM

Why is nearly all of this discussion focused on ANGLOPHONES, and not just Anglophones, but on the stars of the admittedly limited folk scene of North America and the British/Celtic Isles? Right here in New Jersey and across the river in New York there are folk musicians who would knock your proverbial socks off, but their native language is Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Urdu, Russian, Greek, Turkish, or any one of several dozen others. And there are nearly as many whose native tongue is English, but flavored with the spice of Africa, the West Indies, or the Orient. Oh, you say that's world music, not folk music. Pardon me, but I missed that part of the lecture.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: chip a
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 01:02 PM

Janice,

I didn't know there was going to be a lecture. I'm hurt that I wasn't told.

Really now, I put people on my list who I like to listen to. I really don't care if they're green and breathe through gills! I don't get to N.Y.C. too often. 1970 was the last time. I likes what I likes. Simple as that.

If I'm supposed to like your kinda stuff in order to be correct, then I guess I just ain't correct. Different strokes, huh?

Chip A.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Stiofáin
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 01:03 PM

Hi Derrymacash,

agreed, I shouldn't have put it this way. It's just a personal feeling, not a valid argument.

Yet it's still true - female singers don't touch me for some reason...

Cheers, Stiofáin

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,Beany
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 01:26 PM

I like loads of singers like Joni Mitchell, Len Graham, Nic Jones, Kevin Mitchell, etc etc etc BUT I must say I heard Graham O'Callaghan recently perform in Sussex and Rob Harbron accompanying him his voice is really special and his arrangements and delivery is so deep.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: DougR
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 02:01 PM

Janice, I didn't see at the beginning of the Thread, a requirement that the performers be limited to a particular region or a specific part of the world.

We are asked to name our favorites. Who are yours?

DougR

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: CET
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 08:36 PM

Janice:

As Doug says, the idea was to name our favourite singers. The ones I named are simply the ones that spring to mind most immediately, the reason being that I do mostly listen to the music of Britain and North America. However, that's not the extent of my listening. I could have added La Volee de Castors, a young Quebec group, who are the best singers of any of the current Canadian folk musicians that I have heard. Then there's the singer for Mamadou Diabate's group (sorry, can't remember his name, but I heard them play recently). Ladysmith Black Mambazo of course. Actually, the best singing of the roots or folk variety that I have ever heard was from a small male voice ensemble that I heard in hotel in Zagreb in 1997. Apparently they had just released a CD and had come in for dinner. They were all sitting around a table and just started singing. Ever since I've been looking for recordings of Croatian male voice groups, with no luck so far.

Edmund

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Haruo
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 09:52 PM

Margaret Hill (who recorded a lot of my favorite British folk songs in Esperanto, her folk LPs were Kantanta mia bird' and Floroj sen kompar') and Mike Stern (who writes good new left-liberal-Christian protest stuff à la Seeger).

Liland

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,Denise:^)
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 10:04 PM

Interesting that Stiofáin writes that he doesn't care for female singers... A friend and I were noticing the differences in our collections of recordings--

She had nearly all male singers. I had nearly all female singers.

She grew up in a household with 2 brothers; her mother died when she was a teenager. Her father and brothers didn't treat her very well--made her feel that she was insignificant, her opinions weren't important, etc.

I grew up in a family with 2 sisters; we were always taught that we could do or be anything we wanted to--and we did!

Any significance? Who knows--but we thought it was interesting!

Denise:^)

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Brían
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 11:27 PM

I chose male singers because that is what I like, and the singers who I emulate with my own singing.I think most of the ones I picked would of been offended if they heard they were considered "anglophones".

Her are some women I enjoy:
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.
Róise Bean Mhic Grianna(Róise na nAmhrán)
Mary Travers(La Bolduc)
.
Brían.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 01:23 AM

Why is it that a simple question can make people argue! "why dont you like female singers?"
"why dont you like foreign singers?"
My favourite singers are both sexes and all nationalities please dont argue!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 02:01 AM

ME

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 02:14 AM

Stiofain ...

Apology noted ... however, see my previous thread above. Give some of those tracks a listen.

Slan leat.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 02:14 PM

Derrmacash, c`mon,what about Dolores Keane and a wonderful singer in both Irish and English Mairead ni Dhonmhall. Have you heard Elenaor Shanley, beautiful. I love the women, I think you are having us on. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 04:50 PM

Ard Mhacha ...

I haven't actually come across Mairead Ni Dhomhnaill, but you'll notice I gave Triona a namecheck above ... there are a few tracks on the tape you sent over ... I'll listen more closely. (You'll see that previously I have commended Dolores Keane.) Eleanor Shanley I'm not over-struck on, sorry. So there you go ... balances the oul' scales (I refer to the Shane saga).

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Brían
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 05:12 PM

I forgot 2 other great woman singers:

Elizabeth Cronin

Nóra Ghriallais

B.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 05:45 PM

Grace Griffith. She's local here, and has the most ethereal, haunting, and beautiful voice. I highly recomend her to any outside this area that may never have heard of her. If you can get ahold of anything by her or Connemara, do! :D

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Dorrie
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 06:49 PM

i'm joining this thread late but- Kate Rusby of course Norma Waterson Eva Cassidy

are my obvious choices

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: mg
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 06:59 PM

Sue Postans and Jill King of Vancouver B.C. Mary Benson of Portland. Linda Rondstadt. Chris Roe of Seattle. Anne Byrne of Ireland. Mauro O'Connell. Now there is the makings of a good chorus. Gordon Bok, Tom Jackson for men, Paddy Hernon. mg

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 04:47 PM

Mary Garvey, Nice reminder, Anne Byrne was around in the early 60`s and I still have her on cassette singing The Foggy Dew as good as I have ever heard it sung. I knew Derrymacash was having us on,Mairead is Trionas sister and a better singer. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: jaze
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 05:59 PM

Joan Baez

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 06:36 PM

I am partial to the excellent singing of Anonymous Guest, myself...

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 07:10 PM

I think the Anonomous Guest is silly, and I am quite happy to use my real name to say that, (John Evans).Has anybody noticed that Anonomous Guest has not conyributed to any of the musiv threads?.john

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: KitKat
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 07:48 AM

Thanks Dorrie, for reminding me - how could I have forgotten to mention the incomparabel voice fo Eva Cassidy? Don't always like her choice of material, but what a voice!

Pat

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: KitKat
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 07:55 AM

To Derrymacash Sorry I didn't pick up your reply to my Kate Rusby question - haven't logged on since Friday. How can people criticise Kate for being Yorkshire? Perhaps they think she comes across as a little disingenuous. She seems genuine enough to me - and whenever I ring her mum to order another CD, she is so natural and friendly, i can't help but admire them as a family. Kate was interviewed on Radio 2 recently and she was as great as ever, even with a really sore throat after touring. Pat

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 08:01 AM

KitKat ...

I'm with you ... some people DO think she's disingenuous ... I've had "heated debates" with a few. I think they're missing the point. I think she comes across as she comes across because she comes across as she comes across. I don't detect any side to her at all. She's a a breath of fresh air!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,Bill the Collie
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 10:52 AM

Kate is not at present our greatest singer.

She's not at all bad, though!

Subject: RE: Favourite Folk Singers ?
From: GUEST,Lutz Eikelmann
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 12:55 PM

Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lonnie Donegan are my favourites.