Who's your personal favorite song writer

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 08:40 PM

Only one previous mention from Skylark, but I would definitely have ROBIN LAING way up high on my list: extraordinarily clever with words, and highly entertaining to boot.
Not yet seen David Francey, but will be next week: from what I've heard on the radio, he could be up there too. Anyone mention Steve Tilston?
Of the others already mentioned, Eric Bogle and Tom Paxton also fit the bill for me.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Dead Horse
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 08:04 PM

Mike West

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,Dave MacKenzie
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 07:23 PM

I had a long list when I started reading this thread, but the only one left unmentioned is Rennie Sparks of the Handsome Family.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: PeadarOfPortsmouth
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 05:08 PM

Oh...I forgot Dave Francey...great stuff

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,baz parkes
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 11:54 AM

So is it only Dave and I rate Bill Caddick?

John Tams
Jez Lowe
Guy Clarke
Emmylou Harris

Richard Thompson

I just rememebered I don't like singer/songwriters...:-))

Baz

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Dave Illingworth
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 04:08 PM

So many good writers that I love have been already mentioned.
I was particularly pleased to see one mention (by "Francy") of DAVID OLNEY. A personal favourite.   He writes in such a variety of forms:-
blues, country, rock'n'roll, folk (some that sound "traditional").
He is a master of putting words in the mouths of different characters, e.g. :-

The French prostitute in "1917"

The ventriloquist's dummy in "WHO's THE DUMMY NOW"

The ass that carried Jesus through Jerusalem in "BRAYS"


    and loads more.    A fine live performer, too.

"Arkie" mentioned Aussie songwriters. The late SLIM DUSTY and his
wife JOY McKEAN wrote some fine songs about outback characters.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned the Irish writer MICK HANLEY -
a good singer, too.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Jayto
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 04:01 PM

I get your point TJ. It almost always depends on all the factors you listed. At the same time though there are certain artists I have came across through the years that just sticks with me. No matter when, where, or what is going on they simply hit me hard. That is basically what I was asking for when I started this thread. I am also looking for names and artists I am not familiar with. Tom Waits, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle,... These guys just speak the same language as my mind and soul. I never waver on these artists be it good times or bad, if I am in the desert or on a beach, no matter where or when. These are the guys that can penetrate my mind and soul with the thoughts and words that pour out of the speakers.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: frogprince
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 02:19 PM

I'm glad Dave Carter got mentioned, too. I had fallen in love with his work from the first I heard it. Dave and Tracey opened for Tom Paxton and Anne Hills at the Ark in Ann Arbor, MI., and we drove the two hours to get there; it was a show I would have happily driven six hours to see; we heard "Gentle Soldier Of My Soul" for the first time that night. Turned on the radio just a few days afterward, and learned that he was gone.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Jayto
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 01:33 PM

I have to put Waits on here again. I have been listening to his Orphans cd set alot in the last few days. I just had to mention him again because he deserves it afer that 3-cd set. Amazing simply amazing.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 12:47 PM

Once, in a former life conducting wine tastings and dinners, I had a guest speaker from England, one David Symington of the noted family of port wine producers and marketers. He was speaking about old vintage ports when he got a question from a doctor in the audience. The question was, "How long can a vintage port age?" He responded, "That's rather like asking, how long is a piece of string, isn't it?" A little obtuse, no doubt, but the point was made. It would depend on the strength of the vintage and many other variables.

When you ask a question like, who is your favorite songwriter or what is your favorite song, it is much the same. My answer would vary with my mood, the season, the setting, the phase of my life in which the songs were most prominent, where I was living and who I was with when I heard them. No list would ever cover all of that, but the responses, above, cover most of them.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 02:27 PM

Dave Cousins..Richard Thompson...Bert Jansch..

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: David C. Carter
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 06:20 AM

Sorry.That should hav been   Brel.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: David C. Carter
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 05:40 AM

I second Jake Thakray,and add Brell & Brassens.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: SunrayFC
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 05:14 AM

.....and looking through the thread, I didn't get a single mention!

Damn!

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: SunrayFC
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 05:13 AM

and interestingly he is performing at the SUNRAY FOLK CLUB, this thursday.

Supported by Alex and Noleen.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: RamblinStu
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 03:22 AM

There are many very good writers already mentioned in this thread, I would like to add one more.

Ron Trueman-Border

A man of great talent, if you've not heard his work, check him out..

Stuart Pendrill

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,Peader (formerly) of Portsmouth
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 10:35 PM

Quick list of folkies:
Richard Shindell, Jez Lowe & Ewan MacColl

non-folkies:
Lennon/McCartney & Elvis Costello

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 09:25 PM

Willie P. Bennett

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 07:43 PM

As has been said by others above, there are too many to mention who have given us songs I wouldn't like having to do without. Among those still with us, some for me stand out by the consistency of quality of their output. Among them are Judy Small, Tom Paxton, Gordon Bok and Brian McNeill. Unless I missed it, Brian doesn't seem to have been mentioned in the present thread, which would seem more than a bit unfair.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 06:47 PM

Most of my favourites have already been mentioned, several times even.

Except one.

John Hiatt.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: quokka
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 07:12 AM

From Australia:

Paul Kelly
Kev Carmody
Eric Bogle
Mick Thomas
Neil Murray
Archie Roach
Peter Garrett
David Hyams
David Bridie
Josh Pyke
Tex Morton
John Schumann
Shane Howard
Darren Hanlon
Mark Seymour

and now for the women:

Judy Small
Margaret Roadknight
Kasey Chambers
Deborah Conway
Vicki Simpson
Donna Simpson
Mia Dyson
Sally Dastey
Lisa Miller
Jodi Martin
Jen Cloher

I'll probably think of some more later...if anyone wants to know more about anyone on the list let me know! At least one of the above is an Ozcatter (Mudcatter from Australia)

Cheers,
Quokka

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 06:25 AM

One of my favourite's on Radio4 now, Randy Newman.

JM

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 05:20 AM

Chris Wood and Hugh Lupton
Joe Strummer
Sydney Carter
Bob Dylan
Neil Finn
Leon Rosselson
John Tams

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 06:57 PM

Another vote here for Mary Chapin Carpenter to be among those I give 10 out of 10. You cannot be a better songwriter than Mary Chapin Carpenter is.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Dave Hunt
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 06:31 PM

Bill Caddick
John Tams
Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Cyril Tawney
Richard Thompson

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Becks
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 05:54 PM

My absolute favourite is Ray Lamontagne, I will never tire of his music, songs or voice.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: kendall
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 05:13 PM

Kris Kristofersen wrote the best country song ever, Sunday Morning Coming Down.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: C. Ham
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 11:50 AM

All time favorites would have to include:

Tom Russell, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Leonard Cohen, Kate McGarrigle, Anna McGarrigle, Bruce Murdoch, James Talley, Tom Paxton, Ian Tyson, Stan Rogers, Dave Van Ronk, Jelly Roll Morton, Brownie McGhee, Utah Phillips, Rosalie Sorrels, John Stewart, Hoagy Carmichael, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE END OF MY PIRATE DAYS (M C Carpenter)
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 11:46 AM

Amazed that there's only one vote for Mary Chapin Carpenter(frogprince).
She is, in my opinion, one of the finest writers. Here's two of my favourites.

THE END OF MY PIRATE DAYS.

The night is soft and silent, new moon at my door
There's nothing near as quiet as the light I'm looking for
And last time that it appeared he was lying next to me
Last time I felt this near to whispered ecstacy

And those who need adventure, they can sail the seven seas
And those who search for treasure, they must live on grander dreams

We rose and fell just like the tides, he filled my heart and soul and I
Buried all my dreams for someone else to find in my pirate days

This world is kinder to the kind that won't look back
They are the chosen few, among us now, unbowed somehow
And one day he turned to me, and before I took one breath
I knew I would only see his shadow in what light was left

And those who need adventure, they can sail the seven seas
And those who search for treasure, they must live on grander dreams

And if I've seen his face since then, it's only been in dreams my friend
Since I came to the end of my pirate days
And if I've called his name since then, it's only been in dreams my friend
So I came to the end of my pirate days.


GOODBYE AGAIN.

Every night she sleeps alone
And by her bed she puts the phone
And every morning after that
She takes the phone and puts it back

He's got a wife back home and three kids up and grown
But these are things that go unsaid
He might call her from the road just in time to say hello
And goodbye again

She keeps his picture tucked away
She thinks she'll have it framed one day
And maybe he'll come see it there
Hanging by her rocking chair

In a corner of her room on a Sunday afternoon
When all the world is dull and gray
She might close her eyes and sit, rocking gently for a bit
Till all the bad thoughts go away

Back when children played their games
London Bridge and Jesse James
She captured flags, she bounced the ball
And every time, she beat them all

And now she comes home to a cat in a three-room walk-up flat
And plays a game of solitaire
Well she made a fist last night, and she broke the hallway light
And the pieces scattered everywhere

You see, he's got a wife back home and three kids up and grown
But these are things that go unsaid
He might call her from the road just in time to say hello
And goodbye again.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 10:53 AM

Janie Meneely, without a doubt. She is funny, irreverant & witty. I have seen her scribling away at a Sing, I've listened when she askes "what do you think so far?" and I've mangled her stuff myself, and she appreciates it.

};-(

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 10:45 AM

Aw, Kendall. Thank you...

KT

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Arkie
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 09:41 AM

Terry Allen certainly needs to be in the mix. I do not know how many of his songs were sung by other artists but he does have a way with words and melody. The first time I heard one of his CDs I played it over and over and over and the other guy in my office did the same thing. One of us had it on the CD player constantly for several weeks.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,Mike Rogers
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 09:12 AM

This is tough. I had to sift through a lot of names, including Messrs
Kristofferson, Harlan Howard,JR Cash, van Zandt, Guy Clark, Hillman, Earle, Silverstein. McDill and Rushing before returning to my first choice: Hank Williams.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: van lingle
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 08:33 PM

If teams are permitted:
George and Ira Gershwin
Lerner and Lowe
Bono and The Edge
Lennon and McCartney
Brecht and Weill

and seconding Ian Tyson and Townes Van Zandt

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: BK Lick
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 01:54 PM

"Perhaps open mike was thinking of another member of Good Ol' Persons: Kathy Kallick?"
Yep, and I'm thinking maybe Marion should give a listen to my own personal favorite song writer.

—BK

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Mad Spaniel
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 10:12 AM

Terry Allen, now i had forgotten him thanks for reminder

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 09:00 AM

Chris Smither, Leonard Cohen, Terry Allen.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: pdq
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 06:02 AM

"Sally Van Meter is a splendid resophonic...but do you know of any songs she has written?"

Perhaps open mike was thinking of another member of Good Ol' Persons: Kathy Kallick?

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 05:12 AM

There's a lot to choose from so I'm keeping this one short.
Living: Norman Blake, Guy Clark
Dead: Hank Williams

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: BK Lick
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 04:46 AM

Open Mike -- Sally Van Meter is a splendid resophonic and steel-guitar virtuoso, but do you know of any songs she has written?

—BK

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 01:16 AM

Dylan for depth and longevity, the Carters, then the Texas songwriters from the 1940's to today.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: fumblefingers
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 11:20 PM

Still Living - Tom T. Hall

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Lenny's mum (inactive)
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 01:50 PM

My current favourites at this moment in time are Linda Kelly from Hissy Fit and Michael Forsyth from Copper Kettle, both of whom write some really good moving songs. Then, of course, theres George Papavgeris. There are so many great song writers to choose from.

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: M.Ted
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 01:45 PM

Most everybody great has been mentioned, as well as some not so great, but I am going to through someone in who should be on the list of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century, and usually isn't, Vietnam's Trinh Cong Son

Even if you don't understand the language, the soul of a ravaged land pours out-

The page above is a comprehensive collection of recordings, and lyrics are at one of the links at the top--Many are sung by Khanh Ly, whose voice is perfect for his material--

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: mg
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 01:26 PM

adding to the list of women, Rita McNeil ?? Listen to it's a working man I am on you tube (bard of cornwall does a nice version) if you haven't heard it.   mg

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: GUEST,Marymac90
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 01:19 PM

There was another huge one I kept trying to remember
yesterday. I kept singin' to myself "10,00 roads I
went down, down, down, and they all lead me straight
back home to you..." until finally the name of the
late, great GRAM PARSONS percolated through!

Others not mentioned on this thread yet, I don't
think, are Steve Gilette, Charlie King, and Si Kahn.

Marymac

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: pdq
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 11:41 AM

John Tams! (?)

OK, then here is one you never heard of: Tom Jans

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Skylark
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 11:36 AM

John Tams! Robin Laing!

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: Mad Spaniel
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 11:03 AM

Oh and Tom Waits
Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Springsteen
Townes Van Zandt
Christy Moore
Joni Mitchell
Pete Shepherd

Still thinking

Subject: RE: Who's your personal favorite song writer
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 10:35 AM

Lieber and Stoller, Carole KIng, Lennon and McCartney, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits. Many of the lyricists from the prewar 'popular song' era...and a few I'm bound to have forgotten