I think there's a post earlier in this ancient thread in which someone purporting to be Shirley writes in answer to the thread title: (I quote from memory) "Of course I can, you cheeky monkeys." Whether it was Shirley in truth or a mischievous Mudcatter, I've always thought it was the best posting I'd ever read on Mudcat.

But to pick up on another, more recent comment — "I've always liked how Shirley Collins sang. I like the way she presented the song, not the person singing it." I understand the point being made here, and I've read many variations on it on this and other discussion forums: that the singer should ideally be a neutral medium through which the song travels unimpeded and unadulterated. Well, I'm not at all sure I would agree with this. It's true I could happily listen to Shirley C sing all night, and the same is true for other undemonstrative singers like Harry Cox or Walter Pardon. But if you forced me to name my favourite singers, they are almost all singers with very idiosyncratic approaches and peculiar-sounding voices, and who are not afraid to take sometimes extreme liberties with their material. You want names? Peter Bellamy, Robin Williamson, Peter Stampfel, Mike Heron, Martin Carthy for starters. A beautiful song can be an end in itself, but when it's sung by someone who is prepared to explore the possibilities of the human voice... That's a combination I can't resist. Am I a bad person?