> From: Will Fly
>
> What - no Sister Rosetta Tharpe?

Yes, I'd agree with that choice, though AFAICR she played electric, so not helping the accoustic/folk rankings. I must be getting out of touch, because I've only heard of the top five (that is, the last five listed).

If it was "top accoustic" rather than "amazing", I would include Joan Baez. The thing about folk music is that it's the song that is important, and the accompaniment should help carry the song without distracting from, or even worse getting in the way of, it. Particularly in her solo days, Joan used to get that balance right every time. Although without the flashiness that people would call 'amazing', her playing was always very good - supremely competent yet appropriate. I call to the witness stand: Copper Kettle (live), Gospel Ship (live), Sweet Sir Galahad, and perhaps Milanese Waltz/Marie Flore (though I'm not quite sure who's doing what there).

I always had a soft spot, sometimes a hard one, for Nancy Wilson.

Sorry, I'll see myself out.