I guess by definition a “folk song” IS a cover song but the singer-songwriter movement that began decades ago changed the focus. While all of us become familiar with the persona of an artist through the songs they write, I feel we learn a bit more about the ability of the singer as a true artist when they can take someone else’s work, or a traditional song, and make it their own.

On today’s show we examined some classic traditional songs as interpreted by artists from the U.K. and we stayed closer to home with a selection of artists covering classic pop songs from the 60’s and the new wave scene of the 70’s in an acoustic setting. I also shared a number of my favorite “covers” of what I feel are some of Bob Dylan’s less frequently heard songs. I also showcased some marvelous interpretations of the songs of Stan Rogers, Nanci Griffith and Iris Dement. To show that the path continues, I also played a number of “new” songs that I hope will get “covered” in the future, contemporary songs that I hope can inspire and motivate in the same way that the music of the 1960’s inspired my generation.

Some new CD’s that were shared and that I highly recommend – Greg Klyma’s “Rust Belt Vagabond”, Lea’s “Get it Right” and Claudia Russell’s “Live Band Tonight”.