Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From:
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 03:44 PM

Jonathan Edwards

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Mudjack
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 01:37 PM

Wow, The list goes on and on and I must say every entry is very representitive of my record/CD collection. But some are obviously posted without regard to catagory. OH my god, I said it. That dirty word which might be sugesting" What is a folksinger.Or who is my favorite singer/songwriter, who is my favorite folk recording artist? Who is my favorite folk group? No slams intended here, I'm pretty much of the opinion that these good folks are indeed great folk singers, I'm just put out at myself for not thinking of posting all my favorite artist. This thread is posting all my favorites.ditto.......... Jack mos/fol

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Night Owl
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 12:50 AM

Bill Staines...not only for his artistry, but also for the depth of his commitment to his vocation and to the overall traditions of "Folk".

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Ferrara
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:33 PM

Yeah, and I forgot Art, and Norman Kennedy, and Archie Fisher, Ewan McColl & A.L.Lloyd, and Andy Wallace, and ... I keep remembering more Absolutely Number One Favorites. How many turns do we get?

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From:
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 06:48 PM

Alex Dobkin

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From:
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 06:39 PM

It often depends on my mood. However, I've always liked Stan Rogers, Archie Fisher, Chris Foster, Nic Jones, and Maddy Prior. Pam Morgan and Anita Best from Newfoundland are also pretty good.

Recently I've discovered Kate Rusby, a fine singer barely in her twenties who comes from the same part of the world as my paternal grandfather. I've purchased Hourglass, and just today ordered some of her other CD's which are not available in Canada. She seems to have never toured North America, and I am told that one of the reasons is that she has a fear of flying. I'd love to see her in a place like The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Of the old timers, A. L. Lloyd, Ewan McCall, Woody Guthrie, and Leadbelly.

Of bands there are too many to list.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 02:40 PM

Although I don't like the "best" concept, I have enjoyed Joni Mitchell, Richie Havens and of course Bob Dylan, I'm not sure that I saw their names earlier in this thread.

If the question is who is the best we know personally, I give unbiased nod to Susan Latimer. Okay, she's my sister but she has performed at the Mariposa and Eaglewood festivals in Ontario and writes very interesting material founded in her classical training and her exposure to Blues, Celtic and Bluegrass.

Rick mentioned Norm Hacking, I saw him when Susan was performing at the Eaglewood festival a few years ago and was very impressed with him and his material.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Bert
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 02:38 PM

I agree with Ferrara, top twenty or so would be nearer. How can you choose just one?

In no sort of order....

Utah Phillips
Lonnie Donnegan
Allen Damron
Our very own Art
Tom Paxton
Me, and everyone above who said "ME"
Dick Greenhaus
Vance Gilbert
Cheryl Wheeler and so on and so on.

Come to think of it a list of bad ones would be much shorter, but I can't even think of one at the moment.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 02:26 PM

I second Jean Redpath, and the Watersons, and the whole Fisher family. I have a soft spot for Fred Holstein in chicago, because of the many years of great singalongs.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Ferrara
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 11:04 PM

First name that came to mind was Helen Schneyer. Then had to give equal time to Jean Redpath, Lisa Neustadt, Ray Fisher, and Lisa Null. All of these women have powerful, individualistic voices and styles. But they are less concerned with their own singing style than with conveying the meaning and feeling of the song. Most of them have huge repertoires of traditional music.

For men, my first thought was Dwayne Thorpe. Dwayne is a college professor who sings "Zebra Dun" like he really means it. Wide range of material, fine guitar work, a very expressive and versatile voice, great on both old-timey and blues. I only know one album that he's done, darn it. Lou Killen is superb, Allan Damron is wonderful, can we name our top twenty? Or top forty?

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: o'hanrahan
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 10:34 PM

.....and Steve Goodman, David Olney, Ralph McTell, Iris Dement, Hazel Dickens, Roy Harper,...

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: o'hanrahan
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 10:27 PM

Of no particular ranking: Jez Lowe, Bill Staines, Stan Rogers, Kate Wolf, Eric Bogel, Nanci Griffith, Gordon Bok, Archie & Ray Fisher, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Huw Williams, Pete Morton, Jean Ritchie, Dylan, Lennon, Christy Moore,....wow, I can't do this else i'd be typing all night...anyhow these are some of my favorite things.. O'Hanrahan

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: dwditty
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 05:50 PM

Dave Van Ronk - because he can tell a lie, but he can't sing one.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 05:41 PM

This is the kind of thread that could go on and on and...as we think of other singers that could fit the bill, but if one criterion is someone on record that we continue to listen to year after year, I'd have to add Horton Barker, Martin Carthy and Huddie Ledbetter.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 05:10 PM

My men's vote goes to Lee Monroe Presnell ("Uncle Monroe") of Beech Mountain, North Carolina. Eighty-six when I recorded him, and still a masterful singer with all the subtle nuances of a great traditional artist.

Jeannie Robertson, superb ballad singer from Aberdeen, Scotland, would get my women's vote. Jeannie had an incredible "presence" and a powerful delivery, together with a great repertoire -- muckle ballads to bawdy songs.

But I have to admit I've always wanted to be Frank Proffitt when I grow up.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 01:24 PM

Lots of wonderful picks!!! I wouldn't expect anything else. Let me throw in Jean Ritchie, and Edna Ritchie too, as they are definitely deserving to join this list. Throw in the whole family...Their music, their home, their heritage, their voices.....doesn't get much more pure.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: John O'Sh
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 01:07 PM

For rolicking good live Irish folk - Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy (together or alone, both are great).

John Prine is a wonderful performer

Christy Moore is a whole lot of fun

and I heard Shane McGowan (sic?) lead singer of the Pogue's do an accoustical concert which was phenom.

Billy Bragg does a great job with Wilco on the album Walt Whitman's Daughter

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Ireland O'Reilly
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 01:00 PM

The best folksinger I know? Me! *grin*

not really.

My favourites are Stan Rogers and John McDermott.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: PaulR
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 12:50 PM

No question, Kate Rusby

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 12:23 PM

Best Traditional Singer... either Almeda Riddle or Joe Heaney

Best Singer-Songwriter... Ewan MacColl

Best Old Warhorse... Lou Killen

Best Local Folk Singer Who Will Never Be World Famous... Jan Christensen of Brooklyn. He has a list of songs pasted to his guitar that's so long and in the smallest print that it stretches all around the sides from top to bottom. The songs are a wonderful eclectic mix: traditional, newly composed, self composed, international, etc. and, remarkably, he knows them all. No more than a pleasant voice, very solid, nothing fancy on the guitar but a genuinely lovely man who has no shirt on his back because he gave it away many years ago.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: RWilhelm
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 11:48 AM

I'm with CarlZen: Spider John Koerner

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Neil Lowe (inactive)
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 11:35 AM

kinda partial to Sy Conn......

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Alistair Robb
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 08:56 AM

Best folk singers..hmmmmmmmmmmm....well Group with all round Sh**kicking harmonies and knowledge of the Tradition it's got to be the Watersons. Live performer with sheer energy for me is Rory McLeod...Martin Carthy simply for being soo good that he's still around performing, Dick Gaughan cos he writes the best songs and is sincere. Here in Brazil there are so many folk musicians that I couldn't even begin to list who's the best.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Grubby
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 04:29 AM

For those new to folk music I would suggest you could try and find recordings of the following artists displaying different styles and make up your own mind. I'm afraid my opinion changes daily and subsequently I don't have a favourite I love them all

not in any particular order:

James Keelaghan,Stan Rogers From Canada

Jez Lowe, Nick Jones,Vin Garbutt, Martin Carthy From England

Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, From Ireland

John Schumann, Eric Bogle From Australia.

The list could go on, but I suggest you start there and enjoy the experience.

Grubby

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: northfolk/al cholger
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 10:43 PM

Pete Seeger is clearly the best, because of his ability to describe, define and demonstrate the "folk process", many remarks in this column refer to other folk singers, who are all enjoyable to listen to, and to see perform...but the best, Pete!

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From:
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 08:55 PM

Female - Tie 'tween Joan Baez, Judy Collins ( early work both)

Male - Pete Seeger (Ed McCurdy close second)

Duo - Bud and Travis

Group - Clancys & Tommy Makem

--John (not Jon)

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Teresa
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 07:30 PM

For harmonies, I like the Black family and the Johnstons (circa mid-60's); Eric Bogle (sincerity to the nth degree); Stan Rogers (I still dream my fantasy of seeing him in concert--darn!); A. L. Lloyd (he verbally winked withevery word!); ... Oh, this is so hard! Many mentioned above get my vote, too! Teresa

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: lesblank
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 05:51 PM

If I had only enough time left on earth to listen to four albums, they would be:

1. Any Steve Gillette w/ Cindy. "Texas and Tennessee" is the epitome of "folk" !!

2. Allen Damron, specifically, "35 Years", a true Texas treasure.

3. Gordon Lightfoot, again any of the numerous he has done.

4. Ian and Sylvia, specifically, "Northern Journey"

Hope I have a lot more time left!

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Mudjack
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 05:23 PM

I agree with Songbob's philosophy, without getting into what "folk" music is, I must go with Sam Hinton who has the largest songbag of songs as anyone out there.He sings them as to teach as well as entertain his listeners and does well at both. Jack

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: CarlZen
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 03:52 PM

I got sucked into this one again. 'Best' is such a subjective term, but when we get over the semantic discussion it is a good forum for finding out 'favorites' and for getting some names out for others to see and eventually hear. Spider John Koerner has been a long time favorite for someone who takes the standard folk repertoire and really interprets it. Also, I just heeard Geoff Muldaur's recent CD. It seems these old folkies just get better and better.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 03:31 PM

Just to be contrarian I vote for a group. One of my most wonderful music experiences has been to listen to the trio of Anne Hills, Priscilla Herdman, and Cindy Mangsen. The harmonies sometimes send chills up my spine. Listening to them is an uplifting experience.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Marlor
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 02:57 PM

Hmmm, I'm a relatively new folkie, and am not really familiar with a lot of singers. One singer I do like, although I don't know if you'd call her a folk singer in the truest sense, is Lorena McKennitt. She has one of the prettiest voices I've ever heard. I also like Connie Dover.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 02:13 PM

Gotta go with the late Ewan MacColl. (never saw him live) "Mongst the living: Toronto's Norm Hacking. If I ever get to see him I think I would love Skip Gorman.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Dr John
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 10:03 AM

USA: Woody Guthrie for all round; Cisco Houston for the best voice; Hedy West - best female singer; Lead Belly for power. UK: Dave Burland for best voice; Jez Lowe for all round; Nic Jones for consistency; Isla StClair - I just love her and my wife says that's OK!

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 09:57 AM

I like this one, mainly 'cause I may hear about someone I don't know and might like. Keep 'em coming please. As for me, I like different folks for different reasons. Gordon Bok for his voice and his taste, Peter Paul and Mary and the Weavers for their harmonies and energy, Pete Seegerr, because he's Pete (I guess he gets in there twice because of the Weavers) John McCutchin because he writes well, and he's a lot of fun in performance, Inti Illmani because they make me practically dance in my seat, Michael Cooney, because he led one of the best sing alongs I've ever heard, John Roberts and Tony Barrand because I Love those harmonies, Paul Simon because he also writes real good, etc. etc. etc.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: PDiB3
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 03:15 AM

I've been enjoying Lou Killen lately.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Songbob
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 01:51 AM

Best folk singer? Me, of course, 'cause I'd rather sing than listen. This kinda music is participatory, it's doing music, not lay back and let it come to you.

Now, the folks whose singing I like to learn from, that's another story!

Bob

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Allan Samuels
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 01:18 AM

Well I got in on the ground floor here. Guess we just want to see how many people agree with us - so we can feel good about our choices. Nothing wrong with that - affirmation is good for the ....uhm......ego.

I love so many artists and they have such different and distinct niches, not to mention unique sounds, that a list of several dozen would be easier than one (or even six).

In over thirty years I have not grown tired of hearing Ian and Sylvia. I know many will agree.

The Limelighters..... with Glen Yarborough. He has a glorious voice and their harmonies......

Third and last...Though I could name so many more.....Peter Paul and Mary. They have been creating wonderful sounds for a long time and for me at least have avoided going stale.

So, nothing controversial or very esoteric here....now who's got the guts to jump on my band wagon???

Allan

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: j0_77
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 01:09 AM

Love folk music - sooo guess enjoy em all

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From:
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 12:19 AM

Homer, obviously. This kind of question belongs on rec.music.folk. Hero worship is the norm there.

Subject: RE: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: sail
Date: 13 Mar 99 - 08:32 PM

Bill Schustik. He always gives a history or background of the song. If you have a chance to catch him, please do. He has a program of Civil War, old time, etc. songs, and plays multiple instruments. He has played in Lincoln Center, summers on the Shenendoah (a teaching sailing ship) with 5-graders, and in the Sarasota, Fla area.

Subject: Who's the 'Best' folk singer you know?
From: Ariel
Date: 13 Mar 99 - 08:02 PM

O.K., I did this before w/love songs, and what a response! Now I want to know who's your favorite artist and why. Don't be shy! And don't be afraid to name several. I myself would have to say for a female singer it would be Joan Baez, and for a male singer it would be Don McClean. What do you think?