Damning With Faint Praise (?)

Subject: Damning With Faint Praise (?)
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 07:54 PM

I was listening to a Carolyn Hester recording at Pandora. The bio which accompanies her song...I know not who wrote it...begins, "Although Carolyn Hester's talent was tenuous, she was an important, if marginal, figure of the early-'60s folk revival..."

I don't understand. I don't believe her talent was 'tenuous' which I interpret as being barely discernible, nor do I understand how one can be both important and marginal at the same time. I will grant that she never hit the height of popularity of, say, a Baez, Mitchell, or Collins...but tenuous?

Subject: RE: Damning With Faint Praise (?)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 08:56 PM

Better with praising with faint damn......"All in all, not a bad performance"

Subject: RE: Damning With Faint Praise (?)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 08:59 PM

You know, she's still around. A friend of mine has been in touch with her.

I think I read that liner note also. I have a record (I don't know if she made many) from my Dad's collection.l

SRS

Subject: RE: Damning With Faint Praise (?)
From: treewind
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 03:02 AM

Years ago a local band here was described in a review as "making a little talent going a long way", a remarkably apt summary as it happens.