Ditto to Guy Clarke, Townes Van Zandt, Richard Thompson, Elvis Costello, Randy Newman and many others.

Some more of my favourites not mentioned are John Prine, Nanci Griffith, Butch Hancock, Michael Marra (a gem of a scottish songwriter a bit in the Randy Newman mould, but not very well known internationally), Woody Guthrie (of course), early (and some more recent), Bruce Springsteen, Tom Paxton, Tim O Brien, Brain Mc Neill, Bill Caddick and one of my current favourites is Ina May Wool (I hear many of you out there saying "who?" but go check her out) and the great Les Barker.

Some local (Irish) songwriters well worth a listen are Jimmy McCarthy, Kevin Doherty, Mick Fitzgerald, Kieran Halpin, Luka Bloom (aka Barry Moore), Mickey McConnell, Mick Hanley, Phil Coulter (some songs) and Ron Kavana.

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you all.