From the responses so far it looks like this thread should be labeled UK... And good on the UK for being more open to unaccompanied singers. The only American unaccompanied singer I've heard do a full concert was Helen Schneyer, and even with her, if there was a piano around, she'd do some songs with piano. When I used to run a concert series, I booked Roy Harris and I thought he did a delightful concert... beautifully paced and entertaining. Unaccompanied. Afull concert of unaccompanied music works as much as anything on the personality of the singer (without a sense of humor, hello Snoozeville) and a good mix of humorous, upbeat, ballads and songs with choruses.

For me, singing some songs unaccompanied allows a freedom in phrasing and emotion that a regularly metered accompaniment may
tie down. Whether it's a ballad that my sound like a real story being told, or an upbeat, bumorous song where the singer can be playful with phrasing, some songs just sound best unaccompanied, to my ears.

Me being prejudiced and all.

And a state-sider, to boot.

Jerry