Al Stewart is another truly brilliant songwriter. Then there's John Prine. Tom Russell. Van Morrison can be quite interesting in his own unique fashion. Jackson Browne is another favorite of mine.

A female writer who did some really original and great stuff on her first 3 albums is Tanita Tikaram from the UK. She didn't get much notice in North America. She has a way with lyrics that is unique...and a very distinctive vocal style as well. As for the music, there's quite a bit of classical influence in the arrangements on her songs.

Loreena McKennitt has done some very fine traditional-based songwriting.

Tish Hinojosa has done some beautiful songwriting...a Tex-Mex kind of mix with some songs in English and some in Spanish.

Oh, and Willy Nelson...hell of a good songwriter.