best male folk singer?

Subject: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Leo
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 09:44 AM

we hear a lot about brilliant female folk singers, sandy denny, linda thompson, anne briggs etc, but there doesn't ever seem to be the same level of adulation lumped on males...now i'm having trouble thinking of any who are both totally expressive and technically excellent. i love voices like richard thompson, shane macgowan (i know saying that will make me a few enemies but ne'er mind), dylan etc etc, all of whom obviously fill their singing with emotion but don't have "technically" brilliant voices. not that i have a problem with this, i just can't think of a single one. maybe van, but then he doesn't really sing much folk.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: smallpiper
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 09:56 AM

Best male singer - That would be an ecumenical matter!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Leo
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:04 AM

YES

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: InOBU
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:10 AM

Lorfain Attway

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:14 AM

These threads are exercises in nothing in particular.....

Define "folk singer"
Define "Best"
Get 100 people to agree with your definitions

Then I'll take a stab at it........

Spaw

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: van lingle
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:15 AM

I don't know about best but Dick Gaughan is something special. vl
(and Larry Ottway ain't bad either.)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Leo
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:18 AM

of course they're subjective terms, but I guess I just wanted to hear who people's favourites were.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Hillheader
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:43 AM

Rather than vote I think I will kick the Bishop up the Arse - It's safer.

Davebhoy

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Leo
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:52 AM

are you sure you wouldn't like a cup of tea instead, dave? go on.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: My guru always said
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:59 AM

Definitely Martyn Wyndham-Read, a voice like Champagne & Honey - possibly with a Chocolate topping *G*

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 11:18 AM

Garnet Rogers tops my list of faves....

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Giac
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 12:11 PM

Francesco De Gregori.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 12:22 PM

I'm a little confused about the "voice quality" thing,and whether that's a criterion, but if so, I'd certainly agree with Clinton about Garnet Rogers, and add John Gorka to the list of contenders. Then again if "quality of voice" rather than "voice quality" creeps in we have to start talking about Greg Brown, Jack Elliott, Bill Morrissey, Bill Staines, Tom Paxton, Geoff Bartley and a bunch of others still practicing. Given the tone of some of the tracks on Ragpicker's Dream Mark Knopfler is oozing into folk(ish) stuff more & more; and assuming blues fits in with folk we'd have to open it up tot he likes of Chris Smither, whose range from gravelly growl to reedy whine can make me shiver. And them's just off the top of the head. Arlo Guthrie.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,LEo
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 12:39 PM

Don't worry Buck, i'm equally as confused, and I made the post.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: InOBU
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 01:35 PM

Ah Van Lingle! You win a couple of new CDs, drop me a PM and I will send them to ya. Cheers - Lorfain Attway, I mean Larry Otway. as ever InOBU.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 01:36 PM

TOM RUSSELL

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 01:44 PM

I wonder how long it's gonna be before someone posts to this thread

"All Of The Above"

LOL

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Strupag
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 01:54 PM

Charlie Harragen

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: yrlancslad
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 02:03 PM

Ewan MacColl, Louis Killen, Terry Conway,Denny Bartley,   oh and Dick Gaughan too!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 02:09 PM

Expressing my Northern California prejudices, I'd like to nominate Bruce Phillips, known to you outsiders as "Utah." But I'd like to say that Art Thieme and Kendall Morse give him a good run for his money.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,portfolio manager
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 02:12 PM

Some say Bob Dylan is not a singer. I say he's the best male folk singer and the William Shakspeare of contemporary folk song writing.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 02:36 PM

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Ron
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 03:19 PM

So many good singer-songwriters, but Eric Bogle moves me more than most!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: nutty
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 03:26 PM

I have a great love for Christie Moore but could also listen all day to Mick Ryan and Alan Fitzsimmons

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Janie
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 04:18 PM

"Folk singer" a folk who sings

"best" The ones I like

all one hundred of me agree.

OK Spaw, jump in:)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: MairSea
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 04:22 PM

Steve Knightley, Martyn Joseph, Mick Ryan

Love lots of them.

Love and Peace

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Gene Burton
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 04:33 PM

Bert Jansch. Modest vocal range, inscrutable diction; but still for my money one of the most authentic and distinctive folk voices around. Not bad on guitar, either.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Leo Condie
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 04:38 PM

I agree that Bert has a wonderful voice. Have you heard him on From The Outside (which is criminally, criminally underrated by the way)?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Gene Burton
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 04:41 PM

Is that one of his obscure 1980s releases?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Leo Condie
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 04:50 PM

It was until recently. Originally only something like 500 copies, I believe, but Bert got hold of the tapes and got it re-released on his current label (I think it's some odd little division of sanctuary...anyway whoever they are they're such tight bastards they wouldn't give bert's agent a copy of the new album!), also adding a new track or two. It's fairly easy to track down if you're in the UK, I picked it up for a fiver and was more than pleasantly surprised - it's on a par with his debut if not better. It's also, I believe, the first album he made since 1965 that's just him on guitar and nothing else. Anyway, I could talk about Bert all day but I'd rather just play his tunes.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 07:18 PM

I like Robin Laing. Very smooth. But Tom Paxton and Bob Gibson were favourites too.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 07:22 PM

It's been a while now, but Nic Jones still does it better than anyone for me

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 07:38 PM

I always that Logan English was under rated. I don't think there are bests. I've seen Andy M. Stewart enthrall all of Old Songs with just his voice and a Yamaha 180 guitar. I've seen Eric Frandsen play some of the most dynamic stuff I ever heard one night and then piss off the same crowd so baddly the next night they never had him back.

Who is my favorite. Just as hard to tell but Tom Paxton has the edge.

Don

(Rick Fielding is the best musician I have ever swapped songs across a beer and a picnic table with and I hope to do it again real soon.)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: M.Ted
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 11:27 PM

Louis Armstrong--

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: toadfrog
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 11:53 PM

Probably the best living male folk singer is some Serb, or Uzbek, or maybe Algerian or Sudanese, none of us has ever heard of. Of the recorded male folk singers I know about, I'd vote for Leadbelly.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: musicmick
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 01:56 AM

I'd say that the best voice belonged to Glen Yarborough or Paul Robeson but the best, and most moving, was Harry Belafonte. Other great voices include Leon Bibb and Eddy Arnold (check out his rendition of "Wayfaring Stranger") Burl Ives was no slouch, either and nobody could sell a song like Josh White.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 05:10 AM

Of course it's subjective. I saw Pete Morton do a smashing gig last night. One day I'll hear Paul Downes or Martin Carthy close up again and be thrilled. Bert Jansch is never long off my CD player and there are many Mudcatters who regularly get played too. What does "good voice" mean? I love the reedy sound of Mississippi John Hurt and the roar of Leadbelly. There is the smooth grace of Belafonte and the growl of Muddy Waters. I love em all. I don't believe in "good voices". Bad singers can make "good voices" dull. Good singers make songs come alive. They make their voices sound right.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: KJ
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 10:05 AM

Dave Burland, that voice is soooooooooo sexy!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Tiger
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 03:05 PM

I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned Doc Watson.

You can't accuse him of having a beautiful voice, but what comes out really does the trick.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 03:32 PM

Someone no-one has mentioned. Mike Waterson at his peak had power clarity and a way of tackling songs where the emotion of the words came over like no-one, else except his sister Lal.

Mind Burland is good. And Roy Bailey. And Dick Guaghan.

Burland has a way of slightly "spreading" the words, I am not sure if this has a name. He once did the most amazing impression of Martin Carthy - he sang "Blue Suede Shoes" to the tune of "A Sailors Life".

Magic.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 03:43 PM

I'm still wondering why, as the original post said, the female voice seems to be more lauded than the male. If this is in fact the case. Is it a sex thing?
My votes for best male voice as an instrument though: John Tams (of course) and Vin Garbutt.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Leo Condie
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 04:19 PM

Well, personally I guess what I was trying to say was it seems that often the female voices in folk are "technically" brilliant, i.e very pure of tone and all the things that make a classically good voice, whereas more men in folk get by with sheer emotion and not very good voices technically. but as to why this is, I don't know! Also I should add I don't mean any of that in a negative way, I love hundreds of folkie voices, pretty much all of them in fact, except Arlo Guthrie.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 04:20 PM

I go with Guru - Martyn Wyndham-Read has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. If you want raw and gutsy ballad delivery then Brian Peters is hard to beat. And why has no-one mentioned Spiers and Bowden who are all the rage in the UK at the moment?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 04:54 PM

Best schmest! What this means, of course, is "favorite male folk singer."

Don Firth

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 05:07 PM

I aspire to be the best male folksinger. What qualities should I have? Please note that all advice given will not be kept strickly confidential... Be candid, and I'll let you live... ttr

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 05:52 PM

Alan Prior, Ron Taylor, Mick Ryan, Martin Wyndham-Read are just wonderful to listen to.

Thanks for the plug Mary - Brian Peters is the guest at Herga tomorrow night.

Kitty

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Leo Condie
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 05:53 PM

Don - of course it does. have i not been punished enough? :P

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: CraigS
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 06:46 PM

If we're talking vocal quality, combined with the ability to put a song over to an audience, I vote for Nick Dow (and I've got two Brian Peters LPs!).

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 06:52 PM

I know too many of them to stick my neck out. Thanks Joe, I really appreciate that vote of confidence.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: John Routledge
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 06:54 PM

A singer currently currently singinging his socks off is Donal Maguire here in UK

Brian Peters also gets half a vote for re-introducing Joe Kerins and his fine singing to the National Festival the Leicestershire earlier this month

This piece of string gets longer.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: sharyn
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 08:09 PM

Perennial favorites: Larry Hanks and Jody Stecher (And Chris Smither who has been mentioned already).

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: pastorpest
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 08:33 PM

Am I showing my age? I vote for Tommy Makem and Pete Seeger

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 07:16 AM

Tommy Makem is top drawer in many categories.Multi talented he is.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 07:22 AM

Martyn Wyndham Read for me - it's not just the quality of his voice, it's the fact that he is a vehicle for the song which he is singing, and can put the emotion and feeling into whatever he sings - as my sister says, he could sing the telephone directory, and it would be worth hearing!!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 08:45 AM

Mr. Ed

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: harpgirl
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:03 AM

John Hartford
Art Thieme
Frank Lindamood



harpster

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 10:16 AM

Several years ago, an expert on some classical programme on the BBC said Martyn was wasting his beautiful voice singing "folk" (I can imagine the nose turning up as that 4-letter word was uttered on a classical programme!)

I vote for Martyn (& not just because he sent me Singlinks last week - what a great album).

sandra

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 11:01 AM

Dick Gaughan, Andy M. Stewart, Len Graham and Liam Weldon are all up there for me but I'd give the no. 1 spot to Paul Robeson

wr

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Fay
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 11:03 AM

Jon Boden, and he's the sexiest man in the world too!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 11:04 AM

Chris Leslie
Roy Harper
Bob Fox
Bruce Springsteen
Nick Drake

All conspicuous by thier absence so far.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Fay
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 11:08 AM

Well, having thought about it a little more - depends what your aiming at.

Guest Leo was talking about technically good voices, rather than people he liked to listen to.

This is the thing about Folk singers. They are singing stories in a social context rather than impressing people with the quality of control they have over their voices.

Jon is a great singer, but there are many others I love to hear in folk singing sessions - who maybe don't have such a 'good' voice, but are brilliant at getting the message across.

Blah, blah, I'm getting a bit waffly now, sorry.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Mudjack
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 03:29 PM

Thomas the Rhymer's daddy is a strong contender for being the best. So Thomas has every so much going for him in attempting to be the best. I lke Joe's choice in "Utah".
Mudjack

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Allan Dennehy
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 04:59 PM

As Ronnie Drew said: Luke Kelly was the best of them all, bar none.
Sean Keane certainly has one of the best voices around as well.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,dreamon
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 05:01 PM

Gordon Lightfoot...by a mile

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Horace Bone III
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 05:21 PM

Ralph Stanley, Denny Bartley, Jim Moray...... The list is endless cos the criteria is so vast.
I do'n know!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 06:23 PM

I do not think you are waffling at all Fay. I think that's exactly what folk singing is all about. That's as good a description of it as I have heard.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 07:54 PM

Yeah, well someday me, these genes abringing
I practice every day...
But dad's a natural, his voice is singing
More than one can say!

ttr

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 10:03 PM

Good God! Not one vote for Seamus Kennedy!

Seamus Kennedy

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Chris Amos
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 01:20 AM

Mike Waterson, as was said above is our best revival singer, but I find the old guys hard to beat, Fred Jordan allways does it for me and Joseph Taylor sends shivers up my back.

Chris

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: MAG
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 01:54 AM

Actually, Thomas, you have it all over Daddy, in my book. And you're cuter, too. -- MAG

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 02:31 AM

You know your folksingers, yrlancslad! Terry Conway has my vote too. Once told an elderly lady that in my book he is even better than Archie Fisher [takes some doing---]. I developed a stammer when the elderly lady turned out to be Archie's Ma!! Nic Jones is 'way up there near the top of the heap too.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: ooh-aah
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 04:57 AM

Has no-one mentioned Martin Carthy, or did I just miss it?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Pooby
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 10:37 AM

Voices like Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Paxton and Tommy Makem would make my "love to listen to 'em" list. And Dylan? Well, say no more. No matter what some might think of his ever-shape-shifting voice, he's still Bob, and will always make my list. But I don't recall seeing anyone yet mentioning Phil Ochs. His was one of the first voices I can recall wanting to sound like. (I cultivated a voice vibrato for that very reason.)

Since there's not likely to be any general consensus on what's meant by "best male (or female) folk singer," I'll stick to the voices I like, and cast my vote for Phil.

Poobs

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 12:04 PM

Seamus, as I said, I know too many folk singers to stick my neck out, but, if I were to make a list, you would be near the top. Now, stop pouting!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: harpgirl
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 12:14 PM

so Thomas, "whose your daddy???!!!!"

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 12:48 PM

Must mention Geoff Muldaur, subject of a recent Mudcat thread -- *if* he fits the definition of "folksinger," which is problematic.

Anyone remember Tom Rush? Not much of a songwriter, but a great vocal interpreter of the early folk-revivial era, and a pioneer in erasing the artificial line between folk and pop. His eponymous first album is notable for including tunes by Chuck Berry and Bo Diddly as well as Bukka White, Robert Johnson, and "trad.," all of them given the same respect and perfomed with the same spare instrumentation. I had thought Rush was retired and long-gone, but recently learned that he's still performing in the New England area; and, of course, he has a website that you can check out if you wish.

Folk has to include blues, but all the best blues singers clearly cross the boundary between "folk" music and pop/rock/"commercial" fare.

The male singers I most admire, and wish I could emulate, include Tony Bennet, Al Green, the late great Johnny Adams, and any number of others, few of whom could reasonably be categorized as folk.

Mose Allison, maybe?

Best male singer among blues revivalists? Son House protege and former New Orleanian John Mooney. (A hell of a slide guitar player, too.) Best male vocal ensemble? The recently reunited Subdudes, who just this afternoon preceded, duly impressed, and essentially upstaged Messrs. Crosby, Stills and Nash on the big stage at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 01:05 PM

IMHO Kendall Morse is the finest folk-singer in the U.S.
No make that the world! His talent is eclipsed only by his loquacity, perspicacity and mendacity.
You go, Kendall!

Oh, yes, and sagacity.

Seamus Kennedy

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 07:31 PM

Now I gotta look up all them $10.00 words!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 09:41 PM

Some guy named Bill that borrowed my guitar last weekend in Atlanta and played about a half-dozen songs he had written.

Or maybe John McCutcheon when he's actually singing folk instead of rock-n-roll.

Bruce

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: MAG
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 09:42 PM

Geoff Muldaur has to qualify if blues qualifies.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: InOBU
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 07:37 AM

Seamus Kennedy - one vote.... Larry

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,The Burren Ranger.
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 01:10 PM

For me it has to be the great Irish traditional singer Sean Garvey, who 2nd album, ' The Bonny Bunch of Roses' is about to be released.
tbr

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 06:09 PM

I want to change my vote from Kendall Morse to Larry Otway, beccause Larry voted for me, and he also plays pipes.

Seamaus

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Susanl
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 10:04 PM

Does bluegrass count as folk? If it does, I nominate Ralph Stanley. He's great.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,DancingMom
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 10:57 PM

My favorites:
John McCutcheon
Martin Carthy
Page Wilson
John Hiatt

Sharon

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Leo Condie
Date: 01 May 03 - 04:46 AM

i'm really loving alistair hulett's voice just now. or it might just be because he's singin about socialist glaswegians!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 01 May 03 - 04:52 AM

Ok, Seamus, now you can't play my Apollo 12 srting anymore!

By the way, I'm also returning your porn films and the sheep boots.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 01 May 03 - 05:01 AM

My favourite male folk singers are: Martin carthy, Bert Jansch, Steve Benbow.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: red max
Date: 01 May 03 - 05:28 AM

Tony Rose

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 01 May 03 - 03:16 PM

Okay, I'm switching my vote back to Kendall Morse, because he lets me play his Apollo 12-string. And Larry Otway doesn't have my porn films and sheep boots. You b*****d, Kendall! You said you'd never mention those things.
And I suppose you were only helping that sheep over the hedge...

Seamus

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 01 May 03 - 08:09 PM

I switched to Llamas long ago you bitch! I'll scratch your eyes out!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 01 May 03 - 08:29 PM

The thread is subjective as Hell but here goes:
   Best of all time (not living) Stan Rogers
   Best still living   Liam Clancy

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 01 May 03 - 08:44 PM

Llama, my ass! That was a sheep on stilts, and don't you deny it!
You needed a goddam stepladder, remember? Oooohh, I could just spit!

Seamus

PS Liam Clancy, still living?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 01 May 03 - 08:47 PM

Oh, yeah, and your accent's fake too.
I saw the Berlitz School of Accents Down East cassette in your house.
Took you quite a while to master it, but you never had me fooled.

Seamus

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 02 May 03 - 04:47 AM

Ok, we'll call it a draw, you loonie!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Geordie
Date: 02 May 03 - 10:00 AM

Eric Anderson, Stan Rogers, John Stewart,Nick Drake, Martin Carthy and of course, His Bobness.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 02 May 03 - 01:19 PM

Kendall, thanks for helping me get away from what is essentially an apples/oranges thing. It's all subjective. There is no "best" male folk singer.

Seamus

OK it's a draw.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 02 May 03 - 09:15 PM

That was the idea.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 May 03 - 09:49 PM

I arrived at last year's Getaway tired and needing a little "alone" time after hours in the car with Kendall and Morticia. They wore me out! So I wandered away from the cabin a bit and sat alone on a bench enjoying the quiet when I heard a man's voice carrying across the lawn, mellow, deep, achingly beautiful. He finished with a bit of yodelling. One of those " I think I am in love" moments. It was Seamus.

He and Kendall are on my top ten list along with Gordon Bok, Ian Tyson, Jonathan Eberhart, and a few others.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 02 May 03 - 10:00 PM

The 100th post:

I would like to thank the Academy and all those who voted for me. ;-)

Art

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From:
Date: 03 May 03 - 12:20 AM

Best is a subjective term. There are lots of subdivisions of Folk. I prefer Irish, Scots and Canadian. My favorites include Stan Rogers, Tommy Makem, Eric Bogle, Seamus Kennedy, Ed Miller, Jim McCann and Alex Beaton.
They all have qualities I admire.

                                  Ted

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,big john
Date: 03 May 03 - 02:07 PM

Im new to this internet thing one of you crazy lot must have told me about this site try this my vote the wilsons just because i want to hear them fight over witch one pat gets an exemtion im not that brave

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 03 May 03 - 03:44 PM

If I were to make a list, Art, you would be on it.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 03 May 03 - 05:44 PM

Sinsull, you might wish to explain "They wore me out." Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 03 - 12:17 AM

!!!!WAYNE NEWTON!!!!

Catspaw turned me on to him with the Bonanza episode and "Scarlet Ribbons For My Hair."

Sincerely,

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 04 May 03 - 04:17 AM

Allan Taylor (nobody else mentioned him - WHY NOT?)
Stan Rogers
Harvey Andrews
Lester Simpson

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Chris/Darwin
Date: 04 May 03 - 07:34 AM

Hard to disagree with most of the offerings. I present a folk program on the local community radio station, and I often play songs by female singers because of a combination of song and voice quality. Karan Casey, Maddy, Kate Wolf, Kate Rusby, Sandy, Eva - all great singers who also sang (or sing) folk songs.

With male singers, I am usually moved by something different - I love the song overall, and the quality of the voice somehow seems less important. John Hurt at the 63 Newport was wonderful, but if you listen to his voice, it was nothing special. Many other examples.

When you do come across a male singer with a technically good voice, you sometimes don't even recognise it, because you are not looking for it. Dick Gaughan, Martyn Wyndham-Read (in recent years), Bob Fox, Vin Garbutt, Doc, Chris Smither, etc., all have good voices, but all give a truth to the songs they sing, and that's what you remember.

Someone I heard nearly 20 years ago playing with Byron Berline in place of Dan Crary on an Australian tour. That was Vince Gill, and he sang a song about an old black man that sent shivers up my spine, and brought out the goosebumps all over. Fantastic soaring tenor. Not bad on guitar and mandolin either!!

Chris

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 May 03 - 06:42 PM

Martyn, Roy and Bob Fox..............

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Val
Date: 14 May 03 - 08:01 PM

Very fond of Bob Fox myself , also Tim Laycock, Louis Killen, Dick Miles, Jim Eldon - have to say you can keep The Wilsons, Big John, they don't (as they say) float my boat at all.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Waldo
Date: 14 May 03 - 11:18 PM

Well, OK, I'll take the bait....
ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Musicman
Date: 14 May 03 - 11:55 PM

umm.. my favs...

Stan Rogers
bill Staines
tommy Makem
gordon Bok

to name a few.......

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: sweetfire
Date: 15 May 03 - 07:33 AM

this thread has just made me realise that i now to listen to more 'folk' music....I don't know any male folk singers except Richard Thompson and that's only from an album with his wife Linda. But even then, is he counted???

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 15 May 03 - 02:32 PM

Vocally--well, gee, there's Gordon Bok, Gordon Bok, and Gordon Bok, followed closely by Stan and Garnet Rogers and Dick Gaughan. I also really like Hank Cramer. For songwriters, Bob Franke, Stan Rogers, and Eric Bogle.

And of course, dozens of others.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Bukoo
Date: 15 May 03 - 04:02 PM

Have read all the entries, and see no mention at all of Peter Bellamy. Such a distinctive voice and incredibly passionate delivery. It may not have been a 'beautiful' sound, but had the capacity to be immensely moving.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 15 May 03 - 04:51 PM

My favorite tenor is Geoff Kaufman, based in Connecticut, USA.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: mutineer
Date: 21 May 03 - 02:23 AM

Hmm...i'd have to say:
Liam Clancy would have to take #1, but also-
Gordon Lightfoot
Stan Rogers
Johnny Cash - if you consider him folk!

Cheers;
Paddy

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Steven
Date: 21 May 03 - 07:56 AM

My all-time favorite folk singers are Stan Rogers and Gordon Lightfoot.

Steven

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Lidy
Date: 21 May 03 - 08:03 AM

er, mr folk revolutionary Jim Moray is well worth checking out if you want to hear new spins on traditional folk. not everyone's cup of tea, mind... but he's got one heck of a voice.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Captain Kirk
Date: 21 May 03 - 08:17 AM

Spock plays a mean harp (especially to Uhuru)

But seriously, is anyone better than Tom Jones?

Have you heard his Albatross

Not the 'do you get wafers version!'

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: InOBU
Date: 22 May 03 - 08:25 AM

I am changing my vote from Seamus to Kendall, because of the porn and sheep boots crack, and selling Seamus' sheep boots to the boy scouts and donating his porn videos to Catholic Charities... and cutting a wee bit off my vote to give to Dich Gaughan and RIchard Thompson, and by the way, I am playing more guitar these days, so we will see what happens with next years votes! I actualy played the guitar and sang live on WBAI at six thirty in the morning yesterday, so I have to vote my self the most idiotic challenge to a modern male folk singer award... got to the studio at six, began practicing without a capo trying to find where my voise was snoozing, and brought it up a fret at a time until I was finally able to reach my proper rainge... I guess it was alright, as I was asked to sing another after the interview.... well after all that, I am feeling forgiving towards Seamus, so I am dividing the remaines of my vote between Kendal and Seamus and Rick Fielding who gets three votes for not only being a WONDERFUL singer and writer, but being an all around nice guy who doesn't lend out his porno OR his sheep boots.
Larry

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 22 May 03 - 09:42 AM

Well, thanks....I think.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 22 May 03 - 10:03 PM

Larry, if I can't have your vote, can I please have your pipes now that you don't need them since you're playing guitar.
Wait, I wanna change my vote, too.
Is it too late?
Seamus

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Lana
Date: 22 May 03 - 10:38 PM

Here's another vote for Stan Rogers. If the man was alive and my age....well...my boyfriend would probably get upset with me. ;-)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: InOBU
Date: 23 May 03 - 08:16 AM

FOX TV is going to have a show, American Folk Idol, wherein Kendall, Seamus and I are going argue about who we like among the three of us as the American Male Folk Idol. Unfortunately in the reality TV ethic, the eye gouging, hair pulling and bleeped explitives are what sell the show, so we are not going to get to sing, but, we ARE going to wave the porno tape boxes around and sniff the sheep boots.
Tune in
Larry

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 03 - 08:33 AM

Well. How long have you got?
(NOT NECESSARILY IN ORDER)
Steve Knightley,
Phil Beer, (always noted for playing, rarely singing),
John Wright,
Jim Moray,
Colum Sands,
Eddie Daley,
Paul Downs,
John Jones, (Oysterband lead singer),
All Tanglefoot (CAN) members,
The list is endless!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Zany Mouse on Mick's PC
Date: 23 May 03 - 09:56 AM

I need two votes please:

Martin Wyndham-Reed and Mike Nicholson.

I suppose if you pushed it to one vote then it would have to be Mike. Voice like chocolate (and you know how women LOVE chocolate!)

ZM

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: kendall
Date: 23 May 03 - 10:44 AM

Guest, I've never heard of any of those you mentioned. Where do/did they work?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: InOBU
Date: 23 May 03 - 03:25 PM

Hi Kendall, at one time or another, they were all members of Sorcha Dorcha, just like half the world of music... (just kidding for those ready to flame me on this...) Cheers Larry

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Lidy
Date: 24 May 03 - 11:04 AM

kendall, i guess GUEST's list are mostly UK-based. I know for a fact that Jim Moray is working out of Birmingham UK but will soon be London based, you can stream some of his stuff from the music section on his website (see link).
john jones is also a brilliant frontman with Oysterband, a UK folk/roots band, who have been doing great things to refresh folk over here in Blighty, including the Big Session tour earlier this year, with Eliza Carthy (i know she had some success in the States!).
Cracking UK folk coverage is available at the BBC (also below)
which is a pretty well researched site and links to lots of artists, but also streams a lot of stuff too- check out the folk awards footage in particular for john jones.
enjoy- after all, English folk, though it may seem to be in a sorry state, does have innovative and excellent performers... i'm just trying to bear up our national pride!
cheers,
Lidy
Jim's Site
The BBC Folk and Acoustic Page

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Lidy
Date: 24 May 03 - 11:07 AM

oh, and by the way, am i allowed to nominate Billy Bragg? not necessarily the best technical singer, but capable of bottling a ton of emotion into that Essex accent!! or maybe it's just the songwriting...

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Harry Basnett
Date: 24 May 03 - 12:32 PM

Pete Bellamy....absolutely!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Phot
Date: 24 May 03 - 12:42 PM

Tom Lewis, but the early stuff, gutsy, soulful, and from the heart, a true mariners singer, and not quite folk, Bruce Dickinson, ...anyone with a four and a half octave range deserves recognition!!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Moi
Date: 24 May 03 - 12:55 PM

John Jones, yeah!
I love Richard Thompson's voice.
Simon Nicol has a marvellous voice.
Bob Fox.
Chris Leslie.
Clifford T. Ward!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Santa
Date: 24 May 03 - 01:00 PM

Mrs sez Jez. Barry Coope. John Kirkpatrick. Tim Laycock. Tanglefoot's "sex and chocolate" Al Parrish.

I say can we get back to talking about Isla and Kate.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 May 03 - 03:57 AM

Hi Kendall.
Lidy was right. All the names i put down are uk based (with the exception of Tanglefoot).

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 27 May 03 - 11:05 AM

Ewan MacColl, Dick Gaughan, Martin Windam-Reed, Pete Seeger, Hank Cramer, Merritt Herring, Richard Dyer-Bennet, and Stan Rogers.

...for starters...ttr

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Big Tim
Date: 27 May 03 - 11:10 AM

Luke Kelly, obviously!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 03 - 03:04 AM

I can't belive that of all those people i mentioned (Steve Knightley, Phil Beer, Jim Moray ect) I forgot to put one of first & lasting favourites, Jackie Leven! What a SUPERB voice!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: captainbirdseye
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 06:37 PM

Tony Rose not only did he have a great voice,but he was afine interpreter of a story in a song,in my opinion he is the best I have ever heard.Dick Miles.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 07:52 PM

If we're talking technique, and they don't have to be alive, and they don't have to sing in English, Ruhi Su would be hard to beat. The only classically trained folksinger I know of who could use his classical technique instead of it using him (which is what happens with all British singers like that).

I like Alistair Hulett as much as the previous poster (he is a superb songwriter) but among Scottish singers I prefer Rod Paterson for expressive power. Maybe Hulett's voice will develop the darker tone his songs often need when he gets older.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 04:03 AM

I still love the voices that 'defined' folk for me when I first started listening way back as a schoolboy....
still use those sounds as a benchmark...
Nic Jones and John Kikpatrick always being the first two to come to mind.
Tony Rose, I heard later - but he hit the spot for me straight away too. Bless.
......m'pal Ali Hulett.... 'when he gets older'!!! Hah!
I'm gonna phone him up right now and point that out - it'll mek the awl scunner laff, for sure! Hah!
Cheers - Duncan

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 04:07 AM

No reply from Ali - still tickled here! - later then! - D

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: old salty
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 05:39 AM

sean keane and ralph mctell,me thinks!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Janine
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 11:09 AM

English: Nic Jones
USA: Cisco Houston (hasn't anyone mentioned him yet?)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 11:15 AM

Impossible question, I couldn't stand Kenneth McKellar most days, but his unaccompanied version of 'She Moved Through the Fair' is unbeatable.
Horses for courses as they say.
Giok

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Big Tim
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 12:26 PM

Many of the above mentioned were also great songwriters and I think that has swayed opinions.

Luke Kelly didn't write songs but if anybody knows of any one with a better, richer, deeper, more committed, singing voice; please tell me. I would love to hear such a voice.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 01:26 PM

only because I've een listening to my relatively new set of Cds from Time-Life, The Folk years Collection - I;d have to say the voices I love the most are:

Jesse Colin Young
Tim Hardin

I vote yes that Johnny Cash is folk and further wish that Vince Gill would cease singing silly country fare and start singing more Irish music since he has such a lovely voice for it. This is the second time I've said this in a Mudcat thread so you know I mean it.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: van lingle
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 05:35 PM

Paul Brady mostly does, I suppose you'd call it original pop, these days but it's hard too think of someone who handles traditional material as well as he does, IMO.
His old mate Andy Irvine ain't to shabby either.
Then of course Fred Neil...

DW, wow haven't thought about JC Young and the late Tim Hardin in a long time. A couple of fine singers.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Northwind
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 07:32 PM

I think ... Phil Callery, Chris Wood, Graham O'Callaghan, Ifig Troudec do it for me ....

Stevie

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 09:16 AM

Mike Harding.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Arne
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 09:33 AM

Hmmmmmm. Why hasn't anyone mentioned William Shatner?

Cheers,

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 10:59 AM

Martin Carthy, Andy Stewart and the late Stan Rogers. Although an effective singer, I don't think that Johnny Cash was in the same league as these others. Bob Dylan should receive little notoriety when talking about good voices.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 10:48 PM

Danny Spooner,
Declan Affley,
Fred Neil,
Chris Smither,
Paul Robeson,
Harry Belafonte,
Djeli Moussa Diawara (Jali Musa Jawara)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: ossonflags
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 03:30 AM

Val Doonican.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Scoville
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 09:15 AM

I suck at picking single-best anythings:

Second Andy Stewart for voice, although I'm not that familiar with the range of the material.

Slaid Cleaves for pretty songwriting.

Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and (sorry, I have to say it) Steve Earle for content.

Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt, and Norman Kennedy because I can't believe they wouldn't qualify.

The whole of the original Red Clay Ramblers for Best Use of Nasal Singing.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 11:07 AM

Paddy Tunney, Duncan Williamson.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Bill t' bodger
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 11:37 AM

my favouites are

Vin Garbutt Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Maurice Dickson, Keith Donnelly and Derek Brimstone they are all pretty decent writers too

B t B

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Becca72
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 03:50 PM

I have to go with Gordon Bok (that voice could melt butter!) and Dave Mallett...and of course my dad (Kendall)!
I must say, though, Sins description of Seamus has me intrigued...

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: terrier
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 06:07 PM

Who's the best ? Too many to choose from, all brilliant.
Years ago ,I saw a Scottish singer on TV. He sat on a stool and sang an unaccompanied American ballad. Lor! could he sing, it certainly made me sit up and listen. His name was Lonnie Donegan... Honest.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Timberwolf
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 06:49 PM

Jed Marun

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Timberwolf
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 06:50 PM

Oops, Jed Marum, not Marun

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: SylviaN
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 07:25 PM

Keith Kendrick.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: mkebenn
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 06:36 AM

OK, I've been reading this thread for an hour, and only one mention of Phil Oches and no mention of Ian Tyson? IMHO two of the finest voices,or maybe the ones I'd most like to emulate, in all music Mike

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 09:47 AM

Phil Tanner, Phil Tanner, and Phil Tanner.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 12:43 PM

Ok. You what I'm going to say......

"Derbyshire's Finest".....Jack Hudson.

A brilliant songwriter too!

CdM

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 01:00 PM

Bruce Murdoch
Ron Bankley
Dan O'Connell
Bruce Springsteen

:0)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 01:08 PM

Bruce Murdoch,John Blanks,Vin Garbutt Roger Beard.
Four there that I admire in different ways.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 01:24 PM

http://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: alex s
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 09:00 AM

Roy Williamson for sheer musical genius

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 11:07 AM

Joe Heaney, Dillard Chandler, Horton Barker, Len Graham, Kevin Mitchell, Seán ac Donncha, Joseph Taylor, Nioclas Toibín, Norman Kennedy, Bob Blake, Geordie Hanna, Darach O' Cathain, Phil Tanner, Josie Seán MacDonnadha.

They'll do for starters anyway.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Rod
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 05:31 PM

... anybody but those who vote for themselves...

actually, on recent form - Jack Hudson, Len Graham, Steve Turner, Lucy Ward - but it changes week by week...

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 05:36 PM

A male singer called Lucy?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Rod
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 06:10 PM

.. it's getting late! Strike Lucy...

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Joe_F
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 06:23 PM

Best for what?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 04:58 AM

Hey Rod. I was beginning to think I was the only Jack Hudson fan left alive!

Cheers
CdM

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 05:21 AM

Alex Campbell
Wiggie Smith
Nic Jones

for a start

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Acorn4
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 08:18 AM

One name that hasn't been mentioned yet is Damien Barber _ I really love his voice although I never went much on Peter Bellamy who was his sort of mentor.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 11:51 AM

Steamin' Willie Hardonn

of course....

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 02:22 PM

Oh lucy is a red head ;-)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Pikey
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 02:24 PM

For vocal quality - Martyn Wyndham-Read and Mike Nicholson.
(Check Mike out on YouTube singing 'Cornish Lads')

Sublime!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Guest - Lin
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 02:02 AM

FOR ME:
# 1 - Donovan is at the top of my list!!! I have been a hugh fan for so many years and most recently saw him in concert in Monterey, California in May 2009. He put on a great show and sang many of his early folk ballads as well as some new ones. He will be playing in Los Angeles this month. Hope to see him there!

Then in no particular order but enjoy the music of:
Ralph McTell - UK
Allan Taylor - UK
Simon Nichol - UK
Richard Shindell - USA
John Gorka - USA
The late Jackson C. Franke - USA
Peter Yarrow & Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul & Mary) - USA
Steve Gillete - USA
Bob Dylan - USA - partial to early & mid 60's material of his.
The late John Denver - USA
The late Stan Rogers - Canada
Garnet Rogers - Canada
James Keelaghan - Canada

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 04:25 AM

Why are so many good singers late?
I suppose its the prima dona thing coming out.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Devon
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 05:39 PM

Roy Bailey, of course.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 06:56 AM

Dick Miles.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Continuity Jones
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 08:32 AM

I always thought Dick Miles was a little too like Noel Hill for my liking ;)

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: olddude
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 08:56 AM

KENDALL

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 09:02 AM

ha ha,continuity jones thats very funny,Dick Miles is a cocky pipsqueak,that cant sing fot toffee.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Ian Gill
Date: 11 Apr 10 - 06:14 AM

Fred Jordan wasn't bad...

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: scowie
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 03:53 AM

The late great Johnny Collins tops the lot--No contest.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 01:25 PM

Wait!
I'm changing my vote: Dick Miles.

or Jim Carroll.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 11:54 AM

I only had time to scan the thread but I didn't see anyone mention Christy Moore, one of the best interpreters of song. If you want to hear a powerful, expressive voice with incredible range, check out
Shawn Phillips. Pretty good guitarist as well.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 01:27 PM

I know that the late and much lamented Rick Danko of the Band wouldn't necesssarily qualify as a folk singer in many people's eyes, but he had the best voice I have ever heard in my life, bar none.

Or so I thought until I watched this video of the remarkable John Cowan singing "Dark as a Dungeon"

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: The Smiler
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 01:34 PM

For the power and beauty of the voice live, I would most definately go for Dave Fletcher (Goldengob) from the duo called Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher from the UK. Saw them at Faldingworth recently.

Dave and Bill at faldingworth - video from Sooz

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 01:39 PM

Tony Capstick by a mile. I'm not sure I would have wanted to know him, but by God the man could sing. Beg, borrow or steal the "Songs of Ewan MacColl" album he did with Dick Gaughan and Dave Burland - the other two are on form, but Capstick's electric.

Tony Rose was a great singer, as was Nic Jones once he'd lost the early mannerisms. Dave Burland for texture - the 'grain' of the voice - and Bert Jansch for warmth.

And that Phil Edwards - he can pin you to the wall any night of the week. Can't sing a note, but he can pin you to the wall.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Booklynrose
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 05:08 PM

How could you not mention Jack Langstaff, beautiful voice, charming manner, devotion to traditional folksong. He had a magical way of getting everyone to sing. Someone once introduced him by saying, "I'm one of the hundreds of women in love with Jack Langstaff." And most of the women in the room nodded their heads.
   That said, we just heard Martyn Wyndham-Read here in New York, and he was outstanding. I was glad people praised Brian Peters above; he will do a concert for the Folk Music Society of New York on April 30 & a workshop the next day. (info www.folkmusicny.org).
   Gordon Bok does have a good voice, but to my taste a bit overdone - like a bagel with too much cream cheese.
   Of course all this is subjective.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 10:15 PM

Yes, Brian Peters certainly one of best currently around on UK folk scene. Don't think I have ever actually met him, but I remember being very impressed by his set at the C#House Bob Copper Memorial Concert 6 years ago.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,EKanne
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 03:35 AM

One of the reasons why Brian deserves a place on this list is the passion and commitment he brings to anything he tackles. It's great to listen to someone who is still excited by what he does and who can communicate that enthusiasm - I'm thinking particularly of his presentations on Child ballads.
Grand stuff!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,EKanne
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 03:52 AM

Forgot to mention a longtime favourite - Enoch Kent, originally from Glasgow but a resident now of Toronto for many years. Enoch sang with the group The Exiles (Gordon McCulloch and the late Bobby Campbell) in the 1960's and could sing lyrical songs like 'The Bleacher Lassie of Kelvinhaugh' with great tenderness, but he also had a grand sense of rhythm for pacier songs like 'The Begging Man' and a real edge of anger in political material like MacColl's 'The Moving-on Song'. So, not a one-trick performer......and he also writes some fine songs still!

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 04:10 AM

Yes, indeed; I well remember Enoch Kent. Robin Hall [another to think of btw] always spoke very highly of him.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,CAP
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 04:27 AM

John Wright
Richard Shindel
Kieran Halpin
Jon Brindley
Steve Knightly
Jackie Leven
John Tams
Terry Emm

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,jako
Date: 22 May 10 - 10:24 AM

Springsteen, John Prine, Steve Earle.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 May 10 - 11:43 AM

are there any left?
can we include any females that have changed to male?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 22 May 10 - 12:10 PM

Wasn't gonna deal with this, but I'll try.
Just barely in my teens got to hear they young Liam Clancy live lots. What a clean, fine tenor. Still 1 of my faves. Leadbelly, Pete S. all felt to be faves at times. Ed McCurdy for a bit. Later in life ran into lots I liked. John Hartford, Danny Barnes, Steve Earle. There's a singer-songwriter in the Austin area named John Clay: he has a non-vibrato tone that makes you pay attention.

But my favorite male folksinger is special. In my late teens I was on a long car trip with my dad(about 12 hrs) thru the aftermath of a monster blizzard. Only time I remember ever being alone with him in the car. Never noted for his musicality, yet he sang "Henry Martin" & nothing tops that sound in my heart. Tw

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 22 May 10 - 12:28 PM

My vote is for Mickey Newbury. Honourable mentions to Ralph Stanely and David Lynn Jones.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Essex girl
Date: 22 May 10 - 05:52 PM

Steve Knightley, Jon Brindley, (the late)John Wright, Stan Rogers & Richard Shindell. To name a few.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 May 10 - 06:28 PM

van is tired now and so is his voice

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Bren
Date: 22 May 10 - 08:08 PM

Just sat listening to Ken Wilson's cd, what a quality singer he is. We saw him in the Cork singers club for the first time last month.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 May 10 - 10:22 PM

Well, I'd have to say my favorites are Art Thieme, Seamus Kennedy,
Rick Fielding, Kendall Morse, and Sandy Paton. There are others, but these five have given me their friendship, as well as their singing.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,Collingsgirl
Date: 22 May 10 - 10:37 PM

Townes Van Zandt, for me. He was just... complete. Broken, but complete.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 22 May 10 - 10:49 PM

Joe,
I'm honored. Thank you--Art

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 May 10 - 11:53 PM

"Hey Rod. I was beginning to think I was the only Jack Hudson fan left alive!"

Nope. I'm still alive and I'm a fan too, CdM! He's The Maestro.

Also Richard Shindell, Stan, Garnet and Nathan Rogers, Martyn Wyndham-Read, Goldengob (Dave Fletcher), Allan Taylor, Bob Fox, and others too numerous to list.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 May 10 - 12:02 AM

Lists like this really help me - this will keep me exploring Spotify for days.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 23 May 10 - 09:04 AM

Haven't read whole list...but has Mike Waterson had a mention?

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: mousethief
Date: 23 May 10 - 11:52 AM

Gordon Bok. What a voice.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: Bill D
Date: 23 May 10 - 04:26 PM

After 50 years of listening, I can't disagree with many on the above lists as fine singers...for various reasons, although several wear on me after a bit..(never mind which ones.))


4 years ago, Margaret Road-Knight put Danny Spooner at the top of her list. Having heard him live 8-9 times in the last 6-7 years, and once just a couple weeks ago, I'd have to say he is at the top of MY list these days. He delivers a song with as much 'relevance' and awareness of the SONG as anyone I've heard.....and he's getting better.

There are singers who amaze with virtuosity, and those who have beautiful voices, and those whose 'stage presence' is gripping....but **sometimes** I get the feeling that the songs are manipulated to showcase the singer....and I see/hear none of that with Danny Spooner. All his ability goes into showcasing the song....and his historical knowledge OF the song is always there.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: scouse
Date: 23 May 10 - 04:49 PM

My vote goes to just one of the most versatile singers still doing the biz in the folk scene and still playing to full house's after 50 years an who can also still hold a audience spellbound.. it has to be the one and only Johnny Silvo. No one above has a touch on his voice although I like many that's been voted.
As Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: GUEST,CAP
Date: 24 May 10 - 04:14 AM

I think Kieran Halpin, Terry Emm, Matt Shenk, Seth Lakeman & Richard Shindell all deserve a mention but by far my best Singer apart from the late John Wright would be celtic folk/blues artist Jackie Leven.

Subject: RE: best male folk singer?
From: cetmst
Date: 24 May 10 - 07:16 AM

All of the above. Hard to believe that it was more than 60 years ago but it all started for me with Burl Ives, Richard Dyer-Bennet, Josh White, Josef Marais (before Miranda) and probably tops of them all, Carl Sandburg. Others I have enjoyed and may have missed in the above notes, Oscar Brand, Will Holt, Theodore Bikel, Alan Rowan Summers, Jean Carignan, Walt Robertson, Wade Hemsworth, Alan Mills, Robert Beers.