I hope this doesn't sound nuts as a question, but I've heard much strongly felt opinion about the performance of folk music (esp. in Folk Manners) but so little explicit illistration of those felt opinions, that the newbie in me is starting to feel a bit confuddled!

I've heard much genuinely interesting, and yet, contradictory on occassion, sounding opinion.

I'd really like to understand exactly what it is that performers and punters alike, feel (in particular *vocally*) makes for a decent performance?