CS wrote:
"I find Shirley's singing to be thoroughly engaging. She sings honestly without artifice or pretence, in a manner that is entirely her own. She communicates like a true story teller."

Couldn't have put it better (and the same goes for RoyH's post). I've listened to plenty of Shirley's singing, and enjoyed it way more than some of her more widely-praised peers. And her voice is surely unique enough to satisfy even Raymond G's passion for idiosyncracy.

However, I'd have thought Anne Briggs was much more influential on revival style.

I've been inclined to stay well clear of a thread that started out negatively and then got seriously unpleasant - in the hope that it might die - but finally decided that a small contribution to help tip the balance might be more useful.