One of the defining aspects of vocal style is its relationship to a cultural sub-group community. England may not have retained much of this or permitted it to become known. As in the States, the music becomes eclectic and based on a kind of show business standard common to folk clubs and coffee houses. Ethnic groups are downplayed, here in the States because the presenters usually don't have a clue about what these cultural groups are.

For example, bluegrass, which was only popular after the second world war, is only a small part of the Appalachian culture from which it purports to have occurred. It has become a representative of that culture and some would say that it is the US equivalent to the Riverdance approach to Irish culture.

If there is an English style, I don't know much about it although I have heard North Country performers and those from Cornwall in "Oss Oss Wee Oss" festivals and they seem uniquely characteristic of true English folk style. I am unfortunately ignorant because there has not been an opportunity to hear real English folksinging styles because what is presented is usually controlled by academics with an agenda or promoters who are not unlike those in the popular music field who trade on personalities they think will put butts into seats.

These ideas can be found in a great little book called "Cultural Democracy" by James "Bau" Graves, recommended reading for anyone interested in sub-cultural presentation by ethnic communities.

There seems to be a muddled view about the word "ethnic". It doesn't always mean Mid-European or alien. It represents English and American groups as well

Frank Hamilton