Who has the best voice in folk?

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: olddude
Date: 15 Mar 15 - 11:38 AM

Seamus Kennedy is right up there

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: babypix
Date: 15 Mar 15 - 11:22 AM

Uh, Larry Hanks!

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 15 Mar 15 - 08:16 AM

Eilis Kennedy
(here with Dingle White Females).

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 15 Mar 15 - 07:32 AM

Eva Tejedor [ Asturias, Spain ]
Janice Clark [ Aberdeen ]

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,silver
Date: 15 Mar 15 - 06:43 AM

Female: Julie Fowlis, Anne Hills and Debra Cowan have been mentioned, and I heartily agree. I'd like to add Padraigin Ni Uallachain, Anne Dodson, Sofia Karlsson and Sissel Kyrkjeboe.

Male: Gordon Bok is No.1, but Liam Clancy, Theo Bikel and Ed Trickett are also really good. Waylon Jennings and Don McLean both sang a few folk songs early on in their careers, and did it beautifully.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Musket
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 03:46 AM

I've always been a sucker for females voices in song.

From a folk perspective, that means Maddy Prior, June Tabor etc.

Last night, I saw Abi Moore for the first time and came away with a couple of her albums. Really good and definitely part of the future of folk and acoustic roots. Mind you, she shared a billing with the heritage of folk, Martin Carthy. He had a stinking cold but was still the unmistakable voice of the folk music I grew up with.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,azoic
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 02:11 AM

June Tabor and Olivia Chaney.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Don Stevens
Date: 13 Mar 15 - 10:05 PM

There were so any Great Ones. Many mentioned here.

My All-Time Favorite, was Burl Ives. Met him at Pete Seeger's, in 1948.

We have collected over 100 of His Albums, since 1957. All GREAT!

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Mar 15 - 08:38 PM

MARTYN WYNDHAM READ.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Gealt
Date: 13 Mar 15 - 07:22 PM

Eleanor Shanley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjgedX9IyVQ

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Dikanda
Date: 13 Mar 15 - 04:01 AM

Anna Witczak-Czerniawska from Dikanda. http://dariuszpuk.pl

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Andrea
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 10:52 PM

Terry Free... best trad singer for sure..

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: olddude
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 09:48 PM

Kendall ain't too shabby either he could sing

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Elmore
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 08:20 PM

Two guys, Len Chandler and Leon Bibb have voices that are too good, too strong, too trained for folk music. two women who sound like they were part of the early twentieth century and born to sing folk music are Elizabeth Laprelle and Sheila Kay Adams,

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: BobKnight
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 08:19 PM

Some strange choices - it's folk Jim, but not as we know it.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 02:22 PM

Those who like McShee (already mentioned four times) and Denny need to listen to Gay Woods and Maddy Prior (already mentioned five times). Steeleye Span gets my vote as the best folk-rock group of all time, and in a way, nearly the _only_ folk-rock group of all time (nearly the only one that's real folk _and_ real rock).

It's something, if you listen to the lead vocal on "Hear My Call, Here" by the Staple Singers 1962, you can hear McShee thinking, now that I can sing like...

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 01:44 PM

Accordion to an audience member recently I DO

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 11:25 AM

Good call by the previous guest (Vashti that is).

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,MikeL2
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 11:16 AM

Hi

For quality of voice combined with stage presence I would have no hesitation in selecting Nana Mouscouri. Spellbinding.

Also agree with others with Gordon Lightfoot, Emmylou Harris, Harvey Andrews.

The best voice I ever heard in a performance in a folk club ( opposed to in concert) was Fiona Simpson from Therapy. ( Dave Shannon as one of the best folk musicians.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 08:09 AM

When I hear Vashti Bunyan, especially her "Train Song", all I can think of is - sex.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: r.padgett
Date: 12 Mar 15 - 04:22 AM

O forgot the magnificent voice of Australian, John Thompson of

Cloudstreet fame (and a Spooky man) and War Horse songman in Oz

incredible singer

Ray

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 04:25 PM

I'm a bit upset no-one has voted for me yet!
Probably too old to cope with the fame and fortune that would go with it though..ha..ha

CdM

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 03:11 PM

"Sandy Denny" Mentioned by ten people so far.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 03:08 PM

Peg Leg Howell "Skin Game Blues"
Robert Wilkins "That's No Way To Get Along"
Sandy Denny "Tam Lin"

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 02:57 PM

I'm sorry to hear that. I was there in 1970??71?? and saw/heard Jean Ritchie, Rev Gary Davis and Steeleye Span with Dave Swarbrick. My spine is still tingling from Gary Davis's "Twelve Gates to the City".

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 11:01 AM

As early as about the 4th or 5th Festival, I remember Eric Winter saying to me "The Cambridge WHAT Festival?". Things have gone down dizzyingly since, I daresay. So I wouldn't personally regard anyone's having appeared there as any sort of guarantee of folkhood.

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Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 10:35 AM

If Van Morrison is a folk singer (which is open to question, but he has appeared at the Cambridge Folk Festival, possibly more than once)then he wins in the male category by a hundred miles.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: olddude
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 10:28 AM

Not Dylan

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 06:25 AM

It's also good to see that we have some great younger voices on the scene, especially here in Scotland: Siobhan Miller, Emily Smith, Robyn Stapleton, Ainsley Hamill and Claire Hastings to name but a few.

Anyone mentioned Alison McMorland? Or Sylvia Barnes?

And the late Sheila Stewart: not a "beautiful" voice, but a fantastic way of putting a song across.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 06:00 AM

I'd still go for Rambling Sid Rumpo

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Jacky
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 03:12 AM

There are some great young folk singers out there - heard Hannah Sanders the other day who blew my socks off although for some reason it's not quite the same on recordings or video.

This list is all about personal preference of course, but if you listen to Luke Kelly's speaking voice in recorded interviews it is just as beautiful, utterly mesmerising. That might be a good indicator of an exceptional voice.

Also I may have missed it but there doesn't seem to have been much mention of Margaret Barry - sweet and rough and raw and unmatchable. Those recordings from the 60s in the middle of packed pubs where you can hear nothing because she rooted the punters to the spot - that tells you something too.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Teribus
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 03:00 AM

Using the criteria mentioned by "CupOfTea - 10 Mar 15 - 06:49 PM

Best, in my book, is a singer who has expressive control of their entire vocal range, but lets the song take precedence over the singers chops."

Amazed looking through this thread to find no mention of the late and sadly missed Johnny Silvo - absolute Gentleman.

Johnny Silvo - "I'll Fly Away"

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: r.padgett
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 02:57 AM

Bob Fox, Sean Cannon, Julie Fowlis

Ray (check my CD! lol)

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 09:10 PM

Isn't it nice to think of all these wonderful singers? I've been listening to Robert Burns recordings lately, and I've found some lovely recordings by Rod Paterson and Jim Malcolm, and by Janet Russell and Gordeanna McCullough. Oh, and Karine Polwart. I don't know that Jim Malcolm's wife Susie has recorded much, but she certainly has a lovely voice - and she's a lovely person, too.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 08:06 PM

No bests from me, just honourable mentions. Sandy Denny, Julie Murphy, Luke Kelly, Shirley Collins for starters.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 07:31 PM

Lots there that I'd agree have great voices, some I wouldn't.
No mention yet, I think, of Cathy Jordan of Dervish, Sally Barker or Ralph McTell.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: CupOfTea
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 06:49 PM

Best, in my book, is a singer who has expressive control of their entire vocal range, but lets the song take precedence over the singers chops. To my ears Cindy Mangusen does this best, and Deb Cowan is right up there.

Male voices, I'd listen to Gordon Bok sing the shipping report (whoops, don't tell Les Barker that) with the warmth his voice has. Though he's primarily known as a opera star, Ben Luxon (when singing with the late Bill Crofut) sang some damnfine folk, bringing that powerhouse voice to bear. His version of "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye" had hairs standing up straight from the most complete set of gooseflesh ever.

So those are the best I've heard live ('taint fair to make judgments from recordings), for the range of songs *I* listen to.

Joanne in Siberia on the Heights

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 05:20 PM

Funny thing, taste. I would not cross the road to listen to Kate Rusby - Nothing wrong with her, just not my cup of tea. Still, luckily, we are not all the same :-)

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 04:06 PM

I also really like Ed McCurdy, but as Cervantes said, "all comparisons are odious."

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: RBerman
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 03:53 PM

Ditto for Kate Rusby.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Acorn4
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 10:01 AM

Mick Ryan, Damian Barber, Kate Rusby, Niamh Parsons.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 09:45 AM

Ed McCurdy. Hands down, all day long. For men, at least. Linda Ronstadt, possibly, for women.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Iain
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 09:43 AM

For my money I would list Luke Kelly and Patsy Watchorn right at the top.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 09:42 AM

One of my Chinese friends can hardly understand English at all, but he loves Phil Ochs - simply because of his voice.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 09:16 AM

Williston Angstworthy III.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 09:13 AM

Jackson C. Frank was an excellent singer in his early days.

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 09:09 AM

Paul Brady

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 09:07 AM

Big Al Whittle

:D tG

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: GUEST,Blandiver (Astray)
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 08:58 AM

Yay! John Jacob Niles! That was me suggested that...

I'd also suggest Jack Langstaff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmMEXXkVMIA

Subject: RE: Who has the best voice in folk?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 08:20 AM

Checking back thru thread, surprised to find but one mention of the great Jean Ritchie -- mine!

And very little of Robin Hall. Whatever one might think of the material he chose to perform, his actual vocal quality was unmistakeable.

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