I agree with Jim Carroll and Brian Peters. How can someone call themselves a folk music enthusiast and not appreciate the ballads - at least some of them? Yes, certain conditions are necessary - most important is that it be a listening room. You would have a hard time getting a ballad across in an environment where there are a lot of distractions.   And the singer has to know his/her stuff - that includes the words, melody, timing, enunciation, and all that. It's so important that the words be clearly and easily heard, so voice projection is vital. Yes I'll admit that a long ballad sung badly (and the major problems I've seen in this respect is singing too softly, no voice projection, sloppy diction, no expression (dronelike quality), singing while looking down at the floor or (worse) the words...)IS boring and excruciating. That same ballad done by a skilled singer is sublime, and the height of a "folk music" experience.

I can't wait to hear Brian Peters when he entrances our audience in Richmond!