Burl Ives did rat out on his old friends before HUAC. However, it's really hard to stand in judgement completely. I wouldn't have done what he did but having lived through that period I remember the hysteria. I remember the political polarity like it is today. Actually,
Pete emerged as the winner. His values prevail and it's not about catching the brass ring on the career merry-go-round. The fact that he's not "on the charts" I think is OK. I agree with Tom Lehrer. When Kissinger gets the Nobel Peace Prize, that's a joke. Pete doesn't need it.

Burl's career took a nose-dive IMHO after his sell-out to the "Committee".

He needs to be credited for popularizing the "ballad style" of singing folksongs to the public. He never played much more than "um chunk" in his guitar accompaniment which put the focus on his voice beautifully. He had a rich and beautiful tenor (albeit trained)
which conveyed the content of his songs with clarity and pleasantness.

Some on this list prefer a folksong voice to sound like sandpaper or chalk scrapes on a blackboard. Burl wasn't this kind of performer. He had studied Schubert Lieder and although many might disagree with me, I don't think it detracted one bit from his sincere presentation of songs which to me sound authentic.

I don't think it adds one bit to have a revival performer attempt to sound like the screech of brakes without oil or to copy the scratches on an old 78 recording. I think that this is disingenuous. Pete Seeger managed to produce a clear and effective narrative style in his ballads. (It has to be said, however, that throwing your head back and straining your neck muscles is not good for the health of your voice) Burl's great contribution to folk music was using an intelligent and musical (albeit simple) approach to the ballad text.

Louis Armstrong sang with beautiful phrasing which highlighted his style and made up for the raspiness of his voice. He was also a magnetic entertainer. His personality shone through his performance. Anyone who tries to sing like Louis is flying a commercial airliner without a license.

The old traditional singers have a quality and personality that reflects their lives and backgrounds and are authentic because they are not trying to be something they aren't.

The revivalists who are honest, not phony-ing up their voices but just singing naturally and plainly are doing a service to the preservation of this style of singing.

This discussion opens a can of worms but is worthy of note IMHO.

Frank