As a singer who performs both unaccompanied and accompanied material (I play guitar), I find this thread very interesting. Thanks for starting it, Dick.

*For me*, there are just some songs that don't work unaccompanied, thus the guitar comes in handy. Your mileage may vary.

As for groups like CB&S, Cockersdale, Swan Arcade, Dave and Anni etc. These folks are using wonderful (and in some cases very involved and complex)harmonies to achieve a sound that is very different than one voice. There is a big difference between these folks and one unaccompanied singer doing an entire program and I don't think you can compare the two, in my opinion.

Speaking only for myself, I can't imagine doing an entire programme of unaccompanied songs, but I could if I had to.

Debra Cowan