My two cents - those able to generalize the personal, i.e., tell a solid story that others can relate to, are the best. For me, it helps if the story (song) is also told in a way that is musically and rhythmically interesting. Songs that seem to get stronger audience response for me – mostly I play bars, community festivals & coffee shops – are Sloop John B, Steve Goodman's Lookin' For Trouble, Words (by the Beegees!!), Stewball, & Brother Can You Spare A Dime?, PP & M's Rocky Road..am sure there are other factors at work here. Goodman certainly wrote sang and played personal tunes well, and put his heart into them.

I think this is true of good folk music too. All of us know gen-you-wine folk standards that offer words, melody and beat that are the musical equivalent of over-cooked, unsalted oatmeal. But a strong folk ballad is one that many of us can relate to, get us tapping that foot.

- Merritt

"It's all one big note." - F. Zappa