As a follow on to the "Accents in folk music" thread. There's no doubt that a lot of traditional singers have/had certain quirks (can't think of a better word -- and I don't mean it disparagingly at all) in their delivery. Walter Pardon dropping in pitch at the end of lines. Fred Jordan's vibrato. The more "decorated" style of American singers like Texas Gladden. Now... there seems to be something like a consensus (well, as close as you're going to get on Mudcat) that singing in your own accent is the thing. But (and here's the thing) what about adopting the stylistic quirks of traditional singers? Is it a good thing, bad thing, or what? Does it matter whether it's conscious or unconscious? I want to say "It's OK unless it sounds forced." But then I think of Peter Bellamy (one of my favourite revival singers) who must have had the most stylised delivery going, and who consciously set out to adopt a "folk style." So maybe it's OK if it sounds good. Hmmm.
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