Dennis, thanks for mentioning Richard Thompson who I had never heard of until now. I YouTube'd him and now I'm likely to buy every CD he's made.
Hip-Hop and opera? I also like very little of it. But you know, there are always gems amongst the poop. Rap is crap (for me)
but this one always makes me pause because of the intensity, sincerity, and the theme (you've got one chance and you had better make the best of it). Okay, it doesn't make me cry, but I'm impressed.