Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?

Subject: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 12:05 PM

First of all, if you don't like any of them, this is the wrong thread for you.

I'm curious about what draws people to the music of certain individuals.
First of all, I hate it when people write throwaway wallpaper songs that exist for a performance but aren't meant to last in any way. There are enough of those around. Write a song to keep the punters quiet and maybe leave them thinking the writer's a genius for rhyming the way they did, but they'll go home and forget the song. Sorry, but I don't want that.

For me, I love the songs that make me want to sing them. Whether I perform them or just sing along, whether it's because they found their way into my heart or I just like the melody. You write a great song about something I'll forget about 10 minutes after I hear it, it's fine for a performance. You want me to buy your next CD, give me something I love and can't forget. Give me something that feels like you're singing my own life or my own heart. Make me care.

Be Ewan MacColl or Bob Dylan or Rick Fielding or Jackson Browne or Stan Rogers or Garnet Rogers or James Keelaghan or Utah Phillips or John Prine or Bruce Murdoch or Joni Mitchell. When the world has had enough new songs, the universe will collapse and it will start all over again.

What singer/songwriters do you like, and what is it about their songs that makes you like them?

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 12:14 PM

There are two types of modern songs (even if they are not folk songs) that will often get my approval. Ones that make me want to sing them - good tunes and rhythms - eg Lightfoot's "Boss Man" even if the lyrics are in many places simply wasted opportunity. One that make me say to myself "Yeah, that told them", sometimes from say Billy Bragg. Tolpuddle Man (not Bragg, of course) is an excellent example, and it has a cracking tune to boot. Country Joe's "Who am I" also has both. So does "The Fish Cheer".

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 12:25 PM

Since I've been (re)listening to Tommy Sands I have to say that he is just about my favorite. His songs are fresh, catchy, with good turns of phrase, eminently singable, happy and sad and thoughtful by turn.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,The Input
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 12:57 PM

Any song that has that imagery that stirs my imagination. Any song that is delivered by the singer like he/she really means it. It's gotta have a great melody too. There are thousands of examples and I could go on all night (I won't). Examples of songs are Billy Bragg - Take Down The Union Jack, Tom Waits - Kentucky Avenue, Tom Waits - The Day After Tomorrow, Martin Carthy - Such A War Has Never Been, Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (I know it's not his), Jeff Buckley - Lover, You Should've Come Over, Chris Wood - One In A Million and so it goes on and on and on and on.........

There are many tunes that do it too. Andy Cutting's History Man, Michael McGoldrick's Trip To Herve's, Dezi Donnelly's version of Paddy's Rambles Through The Park and so on.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Midchuck
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:05 PM

My favorite is Tom Russell.

Just behind him are Guy Clark, Utah Phillips, Jim Ringer, Stan Rogers, Ian Tyson - note alphabetical order, as it's too close to call as between them.

I think it comes down to that they all write great singable songs that also tell interesting stories. And they make their feelings clear but don't rub your face in their personal emotions to the point of nausea.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:07 PM

I like the songs of songwriters who can write from a unique perspective and communicate a complete scene.


Don

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Acorn4
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:10 PM

It's very difficult to do anything original nowadays. I always switch off immediately someone says:- "this song is about a failed relationship" - I think of the modern writers Richard Shindell is just about my favourite.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Acorn4
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:13 PM

I also think that there are quite a few people who have never got the credit they deserve - Pete Morton being the prime example - I went to see the John Richards Band the other night and some of his songs are excellent _I've only heard a couple by James Keelahan but like what I've heard.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Acorn4
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:15 PM

AS the thread says "why", this is difficult, just that little something , twist in a melody line , claver couplet that makes them a little bit diffrenet.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: irishenglish
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:20 PM

Hands down for me is Ralph McTell. He has touched on nearly every emotion, but includes great historical context in some songs as well.
He also writes songs that I think are uniquely his, which to me is the greatest compliment, not just of a songwriter, but as a muscician as well. His way of writing about subjects most people wouldn't touch (Michael In The Garden, for example), is what really sets him apart. There are others, for sure, but none are as complete as Ralph is for me personally. Some other names though, just for fun would be Richard Shindell, Carrie Newcomer, Steve Tilston, Iain Matthews and Thea Gilmore (Thea arguably is rock, or rock-pop, but I still think of her as a singer songwriter).

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Marilyn
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:28 PM

Well, I don't really like modern 'folk' at all and would normally avoid singer/songwriters if possible BUT there is a young woman who has been to a couple of the folk clubs I go to and her songs are very memorable.

Her name is Virginia Barrett and her song 'Under Your Golden Shade' won't leave me alone! Also the song 'Little Warm' is one I find myself singing constantly. There's another one too whose title I don't know but it has a very good chorus (she printed out the words of the chorus for us to join in with at the gig she did at Tilston folk club) and that one has a twist at the end that had us all smiling! Really good tune and amusing lyrics.

Her songs, in my opinion, actually have some musical worth which is far more than I can say for any other singer/songwriter's material that I have heard. OK, I may not have heard all that many but, of those I have, some are big names and their songs still bore me!

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:30 PM

Eric Bogle, David Francey, Utah Phillips, Larry Penn, they all fire the imagination and move the heart.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:48 PM

First to come to mind for me is John Gorka, whose work I admire because he paints such powerful images using the simplest words: "I walk where the bottles break and the blacktop still comes back for more."

Claire

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Arkie
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 01:48 PM

What draws me to a song is whether I would like to hear it again and whether it stands up after repeated listening. Sometimes it is the story, sometimes the humor, sometimes the twist but almost always the melody and words to work together. One may be more memorable than the other but they fit. Some singer-songwriters I particularly like are Stan Rogers, James Keelaghan, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Fred Eaglesmith, Townes Van Zandt, Tom Russell, Bob Campbell, Terry Allen, Robert Earl Keen, Richard Thompson, Iris Dement, Lucinda Williams, and Kate Wolf.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: frogprince
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 02:42 PM

I think there may be seven of the people mentioned so far that I don't love, which doesn't reflect on them in the least, because I simply haven't been acquainted with their work yet.
Did I miss any mention of Tom Paxton yet? He's been mentioned now..

Some of them write things that make my feet tap, my heart bounce a little, and my wrinkly face smile; I have to sing along when permitted, or sing their stuff when there's no one around who will complain about my gawd-awful singing.

I listen to some of them and think, "I've felt that so deeply; I wish I could express it as well as he did".

Many of those listed here, and any number of others, have done both for me on any number of occasions.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 03:12 PM

Either singer-songwriters or traditional music - I enjoy those whose songs can inspire, tell a good story, or a make me feel part of a community and a history.

There are so many singer-songwriters that deliver the goods. The aforementioned John Gorka plus people like David Massengill, Rod MacDonald, Antje Duvekot, Joe Jencks, Danny Schmidt, Chuck Brodsky,Eliza Gilkyson, Lori McKenna, Thea Hopkins.... we are lucky to be living in an age when there are so many talented artists. I truly believe that the current crop of songwriters are creating songs that are among the best I've ever heard - beating the 60's folk revival that put this art on the map.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 03:41 PM

Roger Brooks was to me the best of our generation to come out of the folk clubs. His work was totally ignored by people who should have known better - but lyrically he was the finest.

Ewan MacColl, I love for his ambitiousness. great ideas for songs - even if they didn't all come off. I just admired his breadth of vision. Ian Campbell was an okay guy also. there was genuine focus on the times and people of our generation.

Jack Hudson is a great talent. His songs talk about life as lived - and he can play and sing.

Mudcat's own Bruce Murdoch has forgotten more about songwriting than I'll ever know.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 03:58 PM

Hey Jeri

Aren't you sorry you asked.
Most of the SS that I hear these days makes me want to roll over & vomit. I want to screem "IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!". Life deals everyone some cards from the bottom of the deck, GET OVER IT!

Now what does not make me vomit is a song that after hearing it, it knaws at me until I learn it, or it grabs me by the seat of my pants & makes me drool, almost brings tears to my eye, makes my heart flutter, gets me red hot & has my temper flaring, puts goose bumps all over my arms, makes me want to sing along, makes me wish that I wrote the song instead of the bastard that had, moves me to want to do something I wouldn't ordinarily do, makes my sigh out loud by accident, puts me on the edge of my seat.

Some of the ones I like that do those things to me:

George Papavgeris, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Richard Thompson, Iris Dement, *Kate Wolfe*, Steve Tilston, Jez Lowe, David Francey, Jim Payne, Utah Phillips, Geoff Bartley, Jimmy LaFave, Robbie O'Connell, Lori McKenna, Nanci Griffith, *Laura Nyro*, Peter Bellamy, Tom Rush, Joel Mabus, Tommy Sands, Jean Richie, Hazel Dickens, Andrew McKay, Si Khan, Jon Campbell, Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs. Waylon & Willie, George Jones, Emmylou Harris. Gene Pitney, Roy Orbison. OK, so the last bit ain't folk, still like them.

Barry

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: alanabit
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 04:01 PM

I am getting pretty picky these days and probably Mudcat has made me a lot more demanding. I have always appreciated Dylan, Joni, Guthrie, Tom Lehrer etc. However, others, whom I would give just as much to see now include Richard Thompson, Pete Morton (again)and Leon Rosselson.
Big names are meaning less and less to me as time goes on. My favourite ever live performances by a singer/songwriter were probably those of the brilliant, yet virtually unknown Bill Boazman, whose "Bless These Children" may still one day become recognised for the gem it is.
I wish I could have seen Georg Kreissler in his prime. He was funny, elegant and original. It would probably have been worth learning French and Spanish to understand Jacques Brel, George Brassens and Victor Jara.
I have only had the fortune to get close to one genius in my time, and that was the force of nature, which is Klaus der Geiger. He will never become known outside certain circles in Germany. I wish more people could experience the energy, the wit, the passion and the extraordinary musicianship of this phenomenal human being. It does not bother him though, so I guess it should not bother me. The best of these people do it because of their commitment to it - and recognition is only a by product of what they do. They have enriched my life beyond measure.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: SouthportFrank
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 04:14 PM

There are certain singer/songwriters who I admire but never buy their recordings anymore; for example, Dylan, James Taylor and Leonard Cohen. Somehow, I feel that they've said everything that they are going to long ago; indeed, I don't believe any singer/songwriter could really grab my attention in a dramatic way; like, for example, the first time I heard Jackson Browne. It's an age thing, I guess.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Acorn4
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 04:33 PM

Sometimes a songwriter will write a handful of great songs, a few good and the rest polyfilla. I've been impressed by what I've heard from Matraca Berg - a bit verging towards country but good nonetheless.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,The Mole catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 04:42 PM

....and Gretchen Peters, particularly her devestating song Independence Day

Charlotte R

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 06:32 PM

I've heard two artists within the last couple of years I heard on the radio and went searching for CDs. Dave Carter (I have all but the last CD, and I've learned at least three of his) and Mark Erelli (only have Hope $ Other Casualties). Others, I have met or known. I didn't really want this to turn into naming our favorite songwriters, but examples may be necessary.

The words say what's in my heart and the melody resonates in me somehow. Sometimes the words are poetry and there's little possibility the song will last but I love it anyway. Sometimes the words seem like the best possible way to say something I feel.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 06:49 PM

I think it was Utah Phillips who disliked "young women singing their diaries". I tend to avoid that be it man or woman. But a song that elicits a feeling draws me back time and time again. I've been listening to Bob Zentz's CD of musical renderings of C. Fox Smith poems. He does one called Sea Dream, about a sailor finding himself dreaming about a ship that had no significance for him. He has fitted a wonderfully descending and repeating melody to it. It nearly makes me cry to hear it. So the music is part of it. Smith's description of the man's confusion about why he had the dream is wonderfully done. And of course, Bob's mellow voice sounds like he lived the dream himself (and maybe did). Guy Clark can do this, especially when he does the one's he calls "wrist slitters" like "Let Him Roll" and "The Randall Knife".

I remember going to a Joel Mabus concert, because I liked one of his funny songs (can't remember which). Every song Joel sang or played that night evoked some feeling in me. I was just stunned to hear a concert from someone who's every song touched me. Again a warm voice and a good instumentalist. Brooks Williams has the same triple threat singer-songwriter capability.

I have a record cabinet full of too many to mention. These are just examples.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,stu
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 06:53 PM

what is there not to like??

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 07:05 PM

Yeh and our Alanabit has written a couple of goodies.

Loved that thing the East Looe Boys. Good stories in his songs. Like I say - ambition and vision, that's the thing. Must look out the album again.

I've never seen you do a gig though Alan.

al

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 07:29 PM

On further thought................

Certain songs are just brilliant and really do it for you.

Robin Williamson's First Girl I Ever Loved - off the Layers of onion album.

Martin Simpson's Never Any Good With Money

Rosie Hardman singing about Martin Simpson, When Martin sang Louisiana.

Randy Newmwn - so many great songs.

I used to love Downes and Beer. they used to do this dave paskett song called I Could Not take My Eyes Off Her, and there was a beautiful early Steve Knightley on Paul's first album called Still Life.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,Vic at work
Date: 01 May 08 - 04:59 AM

My favourite 'big name' is Mike Waterson- witty cutting songs on many subjects.
But my personal likes are two local lads.

George Thomas, his use of language is a wonder to hear and the story is good.
Steve Thomason, great stories, good tunes but the clincher is his woderful voice.

George has recorded but I don't think Steve has. Go listen, it will be worth it.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Acorn4
Date: 01 May 08 - 05:14 AM

I'll go along with Steve Thomason.

We will persuade him to record one day!!

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: topical tom
Date: 01 May 08 - 07:17 AM

I like certain singer-songwriters because they have important things to say (messages, if you will)in their songs.I also especially enjoy performers who invite the audience to sing along occasionally.Thus, in no particular order, I like Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Tom Russell, David Massengill, Eric Bogle, Utah Philips and Garnet Rogers.There are many more, too numerous to mention.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Jeri
Date: 01 May 08 - 09:10 AM

The 'wrist slitters' mostly have some redeeming element. In 'Let Him Roll', it was Alice, and you learn somebody loved the guy. In Tom Russell's 'Blue Wing', you learn he had dreams that kept him going.

There's a fine line between a 'diary' song and a song people want to hear and sing. The line is artistry. Sometimes the line is just how many people sing them. Heck, half of the lonesome bluegrass songs are diary songs. They just could be from a lot of people's diaries.

For example:Another day to wish that you were here,
I dread each lonely night that's filled with fear.
Oh, I've cried and I've cried these are tears that I can't hide,
At the end of a long lonely day. I think people resent what they call 'diary songs' only because they are lousy songs the composer didn't even try to make relevant. They're like a lot of posts on the internet: for the benefit of the singer/writer with little or no regard for the listeners/readers.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,Joseph de Culver City
Date: 01 May 08 - 10:29 AM

I mostly respond to singers who can create a timeless mood or feeling such as Tim Hardin or Jesse Winchester. Matching the lyrical content and musical sequence are critical, as is the expression of personal feeling.

I also like music which rises from a cathartic or prescriptive urge, such as 'Joy' by Lucinda Williams or 'Big Muddy' by Pete Seeger or 'I Ain't Marching Anymore' by Phil Ochs.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Bill D
Date: 01 May 08 - 10:49 AM

Eric Bogle & Utah Philips are mentioned several times...for good reason. They manage to write 'about' stuff that is important, and not sound simply maudlin or simplistic when doing it.

I'd add Craig Johnson, but since he has no recordings out under his name, you may not recognize him unless you've heard a couple on an Art Thieme CD.

Obviously, there is a market for "young women singing their diaries", but the ONLY one I ever heard do that half well was Kate Wolf.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Grab
Date: 01 May 08 - 11:23 AM

Melodies are nice. But the ones that work the best for me are the ones where the writer has really nailed the words in an original way which no-one else could. Brian Bedford (writer for and singer in the group Artisan) is one of the greats for me.

Jeri, I'd take your thoughts about wanting to sing the songs, and turn it inside out. For me, the sign of a truly powerful song is one where I *can't* sing it - because I'm at risk of totally losing it with the emotions involved. With those ones, I have to practise the song so much that exposure to the song deadens the metaphorical nerve-endings slightly. The three which have got me the hardest on this are Steve Knightley's "Galway Farmer", Randy Crawford's "Almaz" and Guy Clark's "The cape". The latter in particular is seriously relevant to me because having lots of friends much older than myself and with my parents being pretty adventurous, it really sums up my feelings about them all.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 01 May 08 - 11:27 AM

Without naming any personal favorites, I will only qualify that singer/songwriter as someone who moves me - who can convey a picture of time, place, action and mood that affects me at a deeper level. Every one of us hears the sounds through our own filter of experience, so my list will not be yours. Also, though there are many fine poets, adding music to the words takes the experience to another level - a more visceral experience. That is why Lightfoot, Dylan, Paxton and McColl, among others, stand out among the many who are less inspired.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 May 08 - 11:28 AM

Amazing, we all like different stuff. It all has different resonances for us.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Acorn4
Date: 01 May 08 - 12:10 PM

What about young men reading their diaries?

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: alanabit
Date: 01 May 08 - 12:36 PM

I was a huge fan of Downes and Beer too. Their versions of "Did You Like The Battle Sir?" (not sure who it was by) and "Across The Hills" (by Leon Rosselson) both took me to another time and place. Their own "Passed You By" and "Same Old Friends" had that quality too.
These days I am less and less bothered about "artists" having more sensitive feelings than all the rest of us. I used to listen to the personal songs of James Taylor, John Lennon, Neil Young etc, but now I am much more interested in what my children think and feel about. I like those songs, which have more in common with folk songs, because they convey interesting stories or characters to me. I like the way that the Bob Dylans and Randy Newmans of this world can give you both the story and the character of the person, who is ostensibly telling it. This fellow Jack Hudson, who WLD has been championing, seems to have that ability too.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 01 May 08 - 12:43 PM

I like Jon Heslop because he brings me cups of tea when I get home from work.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 May 08 - 01:52 PM

I think that ws Dik Cadbury of Decameron, Alan.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 01 May 08 - 03:02 PM

with alot of singer/songwriters I often get the impression I'm listening to someones blog.

Oh, and I watched that Jack Hudson video...

Charlotte R

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 01 May 08 - 03:10 PM

Acorn4 and Vic - couldn't agree more about Steve Thomason! I volunteered, years ago, to sing harmony on any recording he made...but I gather that 2 of his songs will be on Whaley and Fletcher's next CD! 5 of his songs were sung in one evening session at Crediton festival.

Also Les Sullivan - I remember dashing for the box of tissues when I first heard Menin Gate.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 10:18 PM

I'm not a big fan of singer/songwriters because they mostly seem to specialise in emotional autobiography, which I find boring.

Two of my favourites are local Edmonton folks, Rob Heath and Maria Dunn .

I also like songwriters whose songs sounds like traditional songs: Stan Rogers, David Francey, Archie Fisher, some (but not all) Chris Wood.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: GUEST,Fred "Beetle" Bailey
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 11:24 PM

could I just quote my (w)hoary old website (fredbaileymusic.com)??

If there's a pattern in here anywhere, it's just that I've always been fascinated by songs telling stories about those forgotten little footnotes of history, or about the lives of ordinary people. Society will invariably organize institutions to document, for better or worse, the larger of our cultural achievements. But just try to imagine, if you will, how easily we could have lost such legendary icons as: Casey Jones, Tom Dooley, John Henry, Stagolee, Frankie and Johnnie? (Or better yet, try to imagine some of those that actually were lost!) ..... in each case the singer-songwriter was moved by direct observation of and reaction to those events and lives that were unfolding around him (or at least the persistent re-telling of the stories). Thus it follows that, in each case, we are deeply and historically indebted to some long-forgotten and simple fool who just happened to be standing around, humming snatches of melody under his breath while he reached for an instrument ...... This is why that indefineable thing that we call "folk music" will always be with us. It is not just a simple category of music, but an integral part of historical and cultural processes of almost atavistic impact. In the long march of civilization, there can be no more insightful story, because it simply IS our story.

thanx for the soapbox -- this has been my rant for years

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: mg
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 11:44 PM

I think that we subconsciously and collectively feel that certain events should be documented and remembered..a ship wreck, a battle, a mine disaster...and that certain people should be remembered..or be an icon for others of their type..fishermen, seamstresses, etc...and also places should be written about..Slieve Gallion Braes etc...Kelvin Grove..Mississippi River...mg

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: kendall
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 07:06 AM

This is a very interesting thread; thanks Jeri.
I won't write an editorial here but I will say that your opening statement rings true for me. I like songs that make me want to sing them. They should also have some memorable thoughts in them that make me want to weep. Example, ...but Willy McBride it all happened again and again and again...
There are too many writers that I like to list here, but many have already been listed except Gordon Bok and David Mallett. (And all through the night a faded yellow light, would burn inside the room where he would stand, and play the old Victrola, and drink his rusty wine, and conduct the Mozart music with his hard and shaking hand. Phil Brown, by David Mallett. It's about the town drunk in Dave's home town.

I knew the Band Played Waltzing Matilda for 20 years before I could sing it without choking up.

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: BobKnight
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 12:09 PM

It seems many songwriters are derided for writing about themselves. I for one, NEVER write about myself - I use my imagination. You can hear some of my songs on You-Tube, but they are very Scottish, and may be a little hard to understand. Also a few traditional songs there too.

href="www.youtube.com/bobknightfolk">www.youtube.com/bobknightfolk

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: BobKnight
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 12:11 PM

Blue clicky no work!!!!

www.youtube.com/bobknightfolk

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 12:18 PM

I love songs with lyics that make connections--it may be connections between the past and the present (eg. Mickey Newbury's Heaven Help the Child) or connection through metaphor (eg. Guy Clark's The Cape). Melodically, I don't mind simple provided it's not a total cliche (although much used melodies are OK if the purpose is to focus totally on the lyrics--for example Tom T. Hall at his best). I love it when a songwriter can use a really complex melody/chord progression, yet make it sound melodic and singable (eg. After the Ball by Van Dyke Parks).

Some of my favorite songwriters include John Stewart, Tom Rapp (Pearls Before Swine), Mickey Newbury, David Lynn Jones, Cheryl Wheeler, Joanna Swan (San Ilya), Bruce Springsteen (from his "The River" period), Guy Clark, Tom T. Hall, Van Dyke Parks, Craig Finn (The Hold Steady), and Mark Everett (The Eels).

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: pdq
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 04:55 PM

Subject: RE: Why You Like Certain Singer/Songwriters?
From: SouthportFrank - PM
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 04:14 PM

There are certain singer/songwriters who I admire but never buy their recordings anymore; for example, Dylan, James Taylor and Leonard Cohen...



I can't agree more, especially about those three.

Dylan hasn't done a good album since "Blood on the Tracks" and that was in 1975.

Some of his songs from the mid 70s still hold up, but I prefer Jerry Garcia (occasionally Bob Weir) doing them.

James Taylor's brother Livingston is probably the better songwriter, but like all three mentioned (plus Liv) I prefer someody else singing their songs.