"Such is their potency they don't need an audience" Yes, Yes, Yes - this is so true! Many an evening I relax by myself and sing my cherished ballads - visualizing every nuance. To me, it's an evening spent with old and dear friends (who often lead very tragic and extraordinary lives, repleat with murders, incest, visits from elfin folk, etc. LOL). Hard to say what the fascination is - I just get caught up in the spell even though I know exactly what's coming - like seeing a classic movie again and again, but each time you notice something new. There are various ballads that I never sing in public, but I often sing them during my private "ballad evenings".