having discovered that no performer makes me happier than brian bowers, i'm just learning to apply this new minimalist concept to both my singing and my choice of repertiore. it's already paying off. my second-most-requested song of late has been one that is A) too low in my vocal range for me to ornament or even sing it with much strength, B) accompanied instrumentally by one of the very first tunes i learned in flatpick lessons, and C) almost completely lacking in poetic pretension. it may not have been much of a challenge to learn, but the audience likes it way better than any of my funky filigreed songs in foreign languages and modes... i guess anything that's really comfortable for me to sing is naturally going to be easy for them to listen to.