Interesting that one. Various artists had a go at singing in their own accents. Chas and Dave (I met Dave a while ago and chatted a bit about singing) Ian Dury who also couldn't sing a note, but knew it (and used it) coming a little more up to date Lily Allen didn't do a bad job on some numbers, however with the exception of Chas and Dave it never really worked for me. If you are going to play American music and you're a Brit, settle for mid Atlantic. Dave Burland does it all the time. Getting back to Rick Astley I really quite enjoy his later material, that said I wouldn't go out and buy it. I found it quite liberating as possibly Dave the Gnome did, to free yourself from all musical prejudice, and listen to everything afresh. You discover some quite interesting musical ideas that way. I'll forget Folk for a minute, and just list some singers who are excellent and some who are not in my opinion. On the plus side Boy George, Matt Monroe, Anthony Newly, David Bowie, Paul Rodgers, Minnie Ripperton, Arthur Brown, Grace Slick the already mentioned (above) Cass Elliot and Karen Carpenter and our Rick are great singers and in my hall of fame.
On the other hand Mick Jagger, Van Morrison, Badly Drawn Boy, John Lyden, Barry Maguire, Elvis Presley (I don't care!!) P.J. Proby, Cilla Black, spring to mind as ranging from the average to horrible.
Not that they or anybody else could care less what I think. Well it passed some time and allowed me to avoid 'Strictly' on the box.