Mra Lemon I think either you are trying to wind up a lot of singers or you don't go to mant singing sessions. Trevor made a good point, do you go to listen or watch the singer? In the beginning I closed my eyes to blank out any distractions in the hall, now I just do it to blank out any distractions in the hall!! The are always a few folk who move about or might wave at you to draw your attention so by closing your eyes 'all' is blanked out and all you have to think about is the song. I remember asking a young singer once why he closed his eyes when singing and his reply was "All the good traditional singers do and they speak the last line of a song as well. That's how you know it's a good traditional song". I at times would speak the last few words of a ballad but I guess that would upset the audience as well. Singer who sing traditional or folk ballads don't need to use their eyes to tell the story. It should 'all' bein the voice. Mrs Lemon next thing you will want the singer to go down on one knee like Al Jolson singing 'Mammy'.

eoin