My first mentor in folk music was Willi Waw Willy (Bill Higley) as I've mentioned on previous threads. When I couldn't be around him, my singing mentor was Burl Ives, by records. PHRASING ... that's what he taught me ... PHRASING. He was the consummate phraser. Listen to his records. Listen to when, and how he paused. Listen to where he took a breath ... and where he DIDN'T take a breath. If you want to learn the art of vocal phrasing, listen to Burl Ives ... there is no better! It's all about presentation. Present the song with excitment, with clarity, diction, elocution, respect. Burl Ives was the master. CHEERS, Bob