but she's a girl... - Latest Comments in BSAG » A review of three things sharing a theme

Re: BSAG » A review of three things sharing a theme

bsag — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:51:36 -0000

A lot of traditional folk from the British Isles is like that too. Actually Jones' songs and delivery reminded me a lot of the writing of Alistair MacLeod - one of my favourite writers ever, incidentally. His short stories are heartbreaking, but without a trace of sentimentality. I want to say 'hard' but they're not that either, because he has sympathy for his characters, but doesn't make out that their suffering is picturesque in any way. 'The Lost Salt Gift of Blood' is the best collection of short stories I've ever read, and many of the stories still haunt me.

Re: BSAG » A review of three things sharing a theme

William — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:24:11 -0000

I liked that you noticed the singing "about heartbreaking things with a total lack of sentimentality." This is the distinguishing feature of traditional bluegrass, which sets it apart from the more sentimental country music. Though sentimentality does have a tendency to creep into bluegrass, depending on the songwriter. Did you notice Diana Jones' unusual voice production? Must folk/roots music is sung with chest voice, but she stiffens the throat to produce a low tessitura head voice.