I really do get a little tired of our traditional singers being regarded as merely sources for songs and not the sentient human beings they most certainly where - If I can tell the difference between 'Knock 'Em In The Old Kent Road' and 'Tiftie's Annie' why on earth shouldn't they be able to????
Jim Carroll
yes,Jim but they sang them both
furthermore some of the more recent traditional singers[I dont mean Walter Pardon,he was a very good singer] have sung all sorts of material and some of it was not well sung,but because they have a certain label they are revered,regardless of their singing abilty.
why should I choose to listen to In these hard times[music hall song]being sung by a traditional singer NOT VERY WELL,whenIcan hear RoyBailey singing it better.
If a traditional singer like Bob Lewis[who is a good singer]sings a song well,I listen,the same applies to a good revival singer.
I am not prepared to listen to a mediocre traditional singer singing a music hall song just because he has been labelled traditional, if there is a better revival singer,doing a better job,thats the version I listen to .