Dave Polshaw

Refreshing the thread in anticipation of Bryans return:-)

Good grief! I've founded a religion.

Why pick on me, Dave, just because I'm the only one bothering to engage in this?

First, I have never (at least, not on Mudcat) said anyone is crap. You may be confusing me with things said on the Rougue's Gallery thread which I haven't contributed to.

Second, I am not saying Vashti Bunyan is "good but not to my taste", I'm saying she isn't very good. She's not that bad either but not in the same league, by a very long way, as Sandy Denny or Shirley Collins with whom she was compared. She sounds like someone who has heard Joni Mitchell and thought "I could do that". She can't. Her voice cracks in unsuitable places and she completely fails to get some low notes. I know singers who just do their regular floor spot in the folk clubs who are better. She has no emotional engagement with her songs because there is nothing to engage with. If she had some decent material, she might blossom. My original "if you listen to Sandy Denny and Shirley Collins" was not to attack VB but to defend two great artists against a slur.

As for your "I am going to commit the most heinous crime possible and admit that I don't particularly like Norma Watersons singing...", it was cleary intended as a wind up so I think maybe you should get off your high horse. (And give her another listen; you really might find it's worth it.)

Like chocolate. Don't like cheese.