You know, Ebbie, back in the 60's most of us tried to sound old and toothless, gumming the words with imagined tobacco spittle running out of the side of our mouths. We wanted to be authentic, which to us meant old. We copied Clarence Ashley, Uncle Dave Macon and the rest, trying to get their phrasing down. God help you if you had any vibrato in your voice. Actually, I think God would disown you if you did. Dylan sounded like he'd just crawled out of his coffin when he was 19.

Time takes care of everything, though. No need for us to try to sound "old."

We Iz.

That said, I heard Almeda Riddle when she was older than you and I are now, and she sounded wonderful to my ears. Not that she ever would have been confused with Joan Baez.. not even when Almeda was in her twenties, I bet. The great thing about folk music is that age is venerated by many. Not the angst-ridden crowd, but at least among those who love traditional music.

I think I'll pass on gumming songs with tobacco spittle running out of the corner of my mouth though.

By Cracky..

Jerry