Another Music Direct Catalog observation

Anyone who has attempted to learn how to read music and play an instrument (or sing in a choir) knows what it takes to produce a good sound whether or not they pursue it or quit after awhile. After that you can think whatever you want, but give it a try first. Your ear should tell you what you need to know for life. I can listen to a transistor radio- and that's all I had for a long time back then. Good sound isn't expensive either. It's the kind of equipment that tends to disappear from the room that can make you all crazy. But It also has to be fun along the way (with a bit of pain on the side), but don't forget the days you sat (perhaps for hours) and practiced. I feel (for myself) it's the only way- when you have some skin in the game. 

To "pile on" bdp24 (!), I saw Dylan and the Hawks in 1966 in Honolulu on their way to Australia...the first concert in that arena (or anywhere else in Hawaii at that time) where a large pile of Altec A7s was used for the PA system (also the first time I'd seen Leslie cabinets). It was mind blowing seeing Bob do a brilliant acoustic set (Desolation Row...man...), take a short break, and then come out and absolutely kick butt...my 15 year old self never got over that one.

@mijostyn  +1 on Kate Bush! I am just about to clean a recently acquired Harvest/Capitol LP of The Kick Inside! I have been following her since 1979! She is a top-rank British singer/songwriter!

Great choices oreganpapa!  I'm a boomer, mostly listen to all of the jazz great vocalists from the era of your posted videos.  Also a big Joni Mitchell fan.  Admitedly, I don't listen to a lot of current artists, but I do own Ed Sheran vinyl.  I've never understood locking one's listening into one genre.  There's way too much great music out there!  Country, classic rock, jazz, opera and on!

oregonpappa, it is not dead either. Check out Cecile Mclorin Salvant and Esperanza Spaulding. 
robertjerman you can find a great documentary on Kate on youtube. She is most definitely an original. Most singer/songwriters sing about their experiences (Joni Mitchell). Kate sings about what she imagines so she becomes a singing fetus in the womb or a Russian babushka or lost at sea. Most don't know this but Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd) discovered her.
He played a solo version of The Man With the Child in his Eyes for EMI and they put her under contract at the age of 16.