"Has anyone else noticed that there are a small number of "post-autotune" singers around who have the technical ability to sing a glissando as a series of discrete pitches rather than a continuous slide?
... It is clear that the sound is interesting and attractive enough to some singers that they spend time learning to sing that way.
I wonder if there are any singers in the Folk world who can do it."

Yes, I'd noticed that. I'd say that's a hugely unwelcome development - I hate that sound.

You've reminded me of the fact that when I heard Emily Portman's recent album I briefly wondered if she was using autotune. Before concluding she wasn't.

I can't hear any of the digital side-effects of autotune on her singing. But she does have a sense of pitch that's so unerringly precise and unwavering that you'd be forgiven for thinking it was the result of autotune. Her pitch doesn't seem to alter one iota, not even one micro-micro-microtone, which is quite unusual. Having seen her live a few times, I know she's a very good singer.

Have a listen to Emily Portman's songs on her myspace:

www.myspace.com/emilygportman

(note the G in the middle of the myspace page.)