Request for new singers/songwriters

Subject: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Angus McSweeney
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 01:12 PM

I'm one of the old guys - Bob Gibson, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, etc, etc, up to John Prine and Steve Goodman. That's just about where my knowledge of new folk style singer/songwriters tails off. It didn't used to bother me, but the young fellow across the street started playing guitar after seeing me in a couple of coffee house gigs - he worked hard, got a nice guitar and I'm pleased (almost proud) to say that he's very popular at some of the local places now. We talk about getting together for a jam, but when I asked him what music he's playing he answered with a list of folks I've never heard of! And I didn't write any of them down! So how about some of you Hip Catter's (Hipcats? My kids cringe when I use words like that, Daddy-o. I never did when I was young, but it sure is fun to bother them now - so, like totally, way UNCOOL!) -help me out. (Sorry about the digression, but those of you who have heard from me before know it's my way) Let me try again: I would like to know who's hot in folk music today! It just might give me a chance to learn some new songs. Who do you like?

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Paul S
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 01:23 PM

John Prine's still good (but different). Don't know much else. I'm into the old guys too.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Vixen
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 01:35 PM

I've been getting into Richard Shindell, Hugh Blumenfeld, Andrew Calhoun, Greg Brown, Vance Gilbert, John Gorka. Have you listened to any Jack Hardy? Try our own Rick Fielding and Art Thieme--(I just got my first CD of each, and I'm delighted with both).

Lest I sound gender-biased, for women-folks, I've been listening to Kate Wolf, Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, Cheryl Wheeler, and Indigo Girls.

They're not strictly folk in the traditional sense, but in the sense they are writing songs that are accessible and memorable, they're doing it.

Just so you know what my early musical pleasures were, I was raised on Woody, Pete, Weavers, Zimmerman, Joan, Joni, Leadbelly, and Odetta.

V

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Bert
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 01:45 PM

Sue Trainor, Allen Damron

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Bert
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 01:49 PM

Oops, mustn't forget our Shambles - Roger Gall. Search for some of his stuff in these threads.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Frank of Toledo
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 02:06 PM

Jack Hardy has a compilation of 10 CD's covering over 20 years of original songs, which are mostly steeped in traditional form and content; and Gillian Welch is surely one to give some time to. One particular song by Jack Hardy is the "Tinker"s Coin". This song in time will be a folk classic.......

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Mike Strobel
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 02:09 PM

Dear Angus, Some fellows & gales you should listen to : Andrew Calhoun, Kat Eggleston, Ralph McTell, Andy M. Stewart, fellow Mudcatters : Rick Fielding & Art Thieme............., Small Potatoes, The Kennedy's, Lui Collins, Dana Robinson, Fiddlers on the Green, Dave Carter & Tracy Krammer, Erica Wheeler, David Massengale, Michael Smith & Louise Taylor.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 02:10 PM

Vixen, it sounds as thought you've just been to a folk festival or something! (Grin!) Me, too!
Angus, your young friend is paying you a high compliment- getting inspiration from you and then using it to find his own way. More contemporarysingersongwriters who are hip and withit are Dar Williams, Cliff Eberhart, Cheryl Wheeler, Lisa McCormick, Ellis Paul... hmmmm, better go check the latest Singout...
None of these are trad in any sense of the world, and trad is where my heart lies. But these folks are often witty, fine musicians and fun to listen to.
Enjoy- Allison

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 02:11 PM

There are so many that probably don't fit someone's strict definition of "folk".....But I think Tracy Chapman, Ani DiFranco, and Beth Orton are usually mentioned in the same sentence with the "f" word....they are more commercially oriented, too.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 05:04 PM

Am I the only one in the world who finds Andrew Calhoun's "Folksingers are Boring" a wee bit condescending ... and ... boring???

MA

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Llanfair
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 05:16 PM

Try the 2nd generation Liza Carthy, her mum and dad are my vintage. Ralph McTell is popular, my son does some of his stuff. I still love Steeleye Span, they always have something "new" on the go. I shouldn't worry, the stuff we do is coming back into fashion, what goes around comes around!! Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Mike Strobel
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 05:33 PM

Dear MAG, If you were to know Andrew Calhoun very well ( and I can say , I do ) you will realize 3 things: He is Brilliant, He is the most considerate , yet bashful person in the world and he never wastes words on small talk.........................I wish so many others,artists and myself alike....would think before we speak as Andrew often does ...............just listen to his songs..........

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: John of the Hill
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 05:35 PM

3 albums I keep going back to are: Tom Russell "The Man From Who Knows Where"; Jez Lowe "The Parish Notices"; and Sean Tyrell "Cry Of The Dreamer."

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 06:13 PM

*grin*...as resident 'purist snob' and 'folk facist', I'm reporting this thread to the Folk Police!...You all will be sentenced to listen to Roscoe Holcomb and Sara Cleveland doing loooonnng ballads about country virtues!

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Angus McSweeney
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 06:36 PM

Hey folks, this information is great! I knew I could count on the folks at mudcat...but it's still early in the evening...let's hear from some more. When this thread starts to sink I'm going to print it off and head for the Homestead Pickin' Parlor for some knew CD's! Oh, by the way Vixen (and I don't call too many peolple by that name!), Greg Brown won't work. He's an old friend of mine -we used to sit in my kitchen in Iowa City and trade tunes -I was working as a college graduate carpenter two blocks away and I'd rush home over the noon hour to play guitar. The other fellow in this jam was Chuck Henderson - a great guitar player who later played in the "Greg Brown Band" - yes, there was such a thing - I've still got the tapes. We're going back to 1970-73 to get back in that kitchen. Anyway, thank you one and all!

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Bryant
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 06:55 PM

I heartily second the mention above of Gillian Welsh. She writes songs that you will swear must be a revamped Appalachian murder ballads but are entirely her own creation. Solid guitar playing (particularly from her partner, David Rawlings) and dead-on 2 part harmony. I think even Bill D. and Art T. might like this stuff. Her two albums (CDs, whatever) so far are entitled Revival and Hell Among the Yearlings.

Some other bands folkies might like:

Uncle Tupelo (and offshoots -- Son Volt and Wilco)
The Jayhawks
Cowboy Junkies

Oh, Bill D. I'll sit down and spend a day listening to Roscoe Holcomb w/you any ole time :-)

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: campfire
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 07:19 PM

I'll add to the support of many of those above - Andrew Calhoun, Small Potatoes, Nanci Griffith and Cheryl Wheeler especially.

In addition, look for L. J. Booth (just played Falcon Ridge for, I beleive, the second year) and, on the feminine side, Cosy Sheridan. I saw Cosy about a year and a half ago and left with ALL of her CDs. Her first four CDs are available through Waterbug - like Art's (there must be a link around here somewhere...) The last one is not.

I also recently saw Turkey Hollow Consort - which is Tom Rowe from Schooner Fare, his son Dave Rowe, and Denny Breau. They were very entertaining.

This is a great thread - I'll be looking for those mentioned that I'm not familiar with.

campfire

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Bugsy
Date: 27 Jul 99 - 11:25 PM

Try Jez Lowe.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Peter T.
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 09:22 AM

Lucinda Williams has been around for awhile, but I am still surprised at how few people know about her.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Mudjack
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 09:55 AM

Angus, A bit newer than those you mentioned are Guy Clark, Townes Van Zant, Robert Earl Keene,David Massingill, Bob Franke, already mentioned Tom Russell. These are all great writers and have yet to be main stream big dollar success stories. Which is likely the reason I admire them so much.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: campfire
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 11:40 AM

also see "Undiscovered Talent"

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: rich r
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 06:47 PM

Angus, if you're going down to the Homestead Pickin Parlor, get some Neal & Leandra (several CDs on Redhouse). Another littleknow fine duo is Wilson & McKee out of Montana. Chuck Suchy from North Dakota writes some great songs about rural America. I don't recall if anyone has mentioned a couple Canadians, James Keelaghan and Connie Kaldor both fine writers and singers. Also check out Chuck Brodsky and Lucy Kaplansky. I will probably think of more folk impurities later.

rich r

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: TonyK
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 11:12 PM

I'm an old John Prine and Steve Goodman fan, too, and I'm now listening to many of the aforementioned in this thread especially Cheryl Wheeler,Michael Smith, Gorka, Keelehan, and Hardy. I especially like Anne Hills, Christine Lavin for her wit, David Wilcox for his sensitive lyrics and Martin Simpson for his outstanding guitar work. Greg Brown tops my list.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Susan A-R
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 11:26 PM

Just don't trust my spelling, it's all suspect. John McCutchon, Duggie Maclean, Cindy Callet, Gordon Bok, June Tabor,

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Tom on Comfort
Date: 29 Jul 99 - 11:05 PM

A lot of these folks ain't exactly "new" they just haven't become incredibly commercial successes, so the joy of discovering them is just around the corner for many (there were some names here I'd never heard of --& now I'll go off & check 'em out, thank you very much). Or maybe this is still a big world, & it takes some time for news of somebody to get around.

It's a good thing there ain't nobody heard EVERYTHING, I think.

Oh & let me call to mind some more good ones, writing songs in a political vein frequently, Charlie King, Si Kahn, & Len Wallace have been stoking them rabble-rousing fires for years with wit, & good poetry, & grace.

See ya--Tom

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: John Hardly
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 03:44 PM

Just had the joy of watching Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer open for Cheryl Wheeler last evening. As it turned out it seemed more like Cheryl Wheeler closed for Carter and Grammer. As good as Wheeler's set was Carter and Grammer caught the croud by surprise--not many initiated. They were WONDERFUL!. Wasn't sure which thread to resurrect to give the heads up--they might be in your area soon!--John Hardly

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: RWilhelm
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 04:38 PM

There are precious few contemporary songwriters in the same class as those mentioned by Angus McSweeney. I agree with Peter T. that Lucinda Williams is just beginning to get the credit she deservers. I thing she is the most honest songwriter working today in any genre.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Morticia
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 04:46 PM

how about Richard Thompson,Christy Moore , Nic Jones and Dick Gaughan from this side of the pond?

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,Lucinda Williams
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 04:59 PM

Memo to Earl:

I'm not a new songwriter. I'm 47 years old and made my first album 21 years ago.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,Richard Thompson
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 05:02 PM

Memo to Morticia:

I'm not a new songwriter. I'm 51 years old and wrote my first song more than 30 years ago.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,Christy Moore
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 05:04 PM

Memo to Morticia:

I'm 55 years old and remember when Richard Thompson was a new singer/songwriter.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,Dick Gaughan
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 05:07 PM

Memo to Morticia:

I'm 52 years old. You must be ancient if you think that I'm new.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,Nic Jones
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 05:09 PM

Memo to Morticia:

A) I'm as old as those other guys.

B) I'm not even a songwriter.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: bflat
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 05:11 PM

Mary Gauthier, fresh and making a splash, a female John Prine.

www.marygauthier.com

bflat

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,Ivan
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 06:25 PM

Sorry I'm a bit late joining in on this thread but I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Lucy Kaplansky and Stacey Earle. Also, in the UK Kate Rusby has a lot of "street cred" and although she does mostly traditional stuff she has written a few songs herself. (At least one of her CDs has been released in the USA by Green Linnet records).

Billy Bragg is also a good source - if you don't know his music it is a bit "folk-punk" but he has also recently "collaborated" with Woody Guthrie (i.e. finished songs Woody was working on in his last years). I think the album is called Mermaid Avenue or something similar.

Ps. I'm almost as old as Christy Moore but I haven't stopped being a teenager just yet.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Cobble
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 06:43 PM

Help I'm 52 too. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeelp.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Cobble
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 07:01 PM

It"s all right panic over, Im going to live till Im 250 years old I forgot. Phew...

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Thyme2dream
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 07:19 PM

gee, amazing number of folk artists visiting the 'Cat today...uh, correct me if Im wrong, but when you put it in the context of Pete Seegar, etc...Thompson & Gaughin are both still young?

On the Country music side of things-because every now and then someone slips into the loop there that really CAN write songs:

Hal Ketcham-- he hasn't done much lately that has interested me, but his first CD 'Past the Point of Rescue' is worth a listen.

Steve Earle--a strange cat, but he really has a folkie soul...his newest CD with 'Galway Girl' is really nice, although I can't recall the title of it just now.

AS for the folk from across the pond,I'd put in a hearty second for anything by Richard Thompson, Dick Gaughan, Kate Rusby, and add(cos I didn't see him yet)Dougie Maclean!

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: MichaelAnthony
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 07:48 PM

Two folks that I recommend are Elliot Smith (Good Will Hunting soundtrack) and Aimee Mann (Magnolia soundtrack).

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,celticblues5
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 08:53 PM

an aside, after the mention of Pete Seeger - a couple of women from my storytelling group sat with him on the plane to Jonesborough. i think they said he's 81 - they said he seemed pleased by all the fuss they made over him - he said he wished so many women had made that kind of fuss back when he was 21 - ! ;-) the rewards of becoming a legend.......

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 09:11 PM

Oh, man, it's endless. Eileen McGann and David K. Cathy Miller. Wendell Ferguson. Kathryn Wheatley. Erin Benjamin. (all of those are Canadian). Shawn Colvin. Mary Chapin Carpenter. Tish Hinojosa. Jann Arden. My suggestion is go to a few folk festivals next summer and you will find out that there are so many new singer-songwriters that it boggles the mind...plus you will have a great time listening to hundreds of songs that you will NEVER

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 09:12 PM

Oh, man, it's endless. Eileen McGann and David K. Cathy Miller. Wendell Ferguson. Kathryn Wheatley. Erin Benjamin. (all of those are Canadian). Shawn Colvin. Mary Chapin Carpenter. Tish Hinojosa. Jann Arden. My suggestion is go to a few folk festivals next summer and you will find out that there are so many new singer-songwriters that it boggles the mind...plus you will have a great time listening to hundreds of amazing songs that you will NEVER hear on your f**king commercial radio stations.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: RWilhelm
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 11:50 PM

All those famous folks are right. None of these songwriters are young or new unless you compare them to Pete Seeger.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 12:38 AM

I'm in England and it's absolutely crawling with new singer-songwriters over here. I just thought I'd mention a couple who are classifiable as intermediate to old, but not known in the US : 1) David Qualey , who is an American, lives and works in Germany, and is probably the same age as Richard Thompson - this man is worth listening to.

2) Pete Morton, who is English, about thirty, and writes good songs.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 01:01 AM

Stephen Fearing

Find his stuff...

{~`

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Fred/Forsh
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 05:42 AM

Wow, christy moore and richard thompson ......on these pages.....! I feel so privaleged! Personnaly, I like that other new songwriter, Vin Garbutt, you may have heared of him. Dave Forshaw(aka Fred) By the way....Anyone on this thread who knew my Dad Alan Forshaw, Please get in touch [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Catrin
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 06:05 AM

And I was going to say Billy bragg - But Ivan beat me to it. Billy Bragg was approached by Woddy Guthrie's Daughter and asked to put tunes to some of the hundreds of songs woody left behind when he died. (He kept the tunes in his head).

The reason she chose Billy Bragg to do this was, she said, because they both wrote about the same types of issues. It seemed fitting to ask Billy to do it.

The result is a collection of moving, timeless, songs. Well done Billy!

Cheers,

Catrin

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: StandingBear (inactive)
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 11:46 AM

Check out Spook Handy. NJ-based singer songwriter; His CD "Freedom Is Your Destiny" has some wonderful stuff on it. Go to your local Borders bookshop/CD store and get it; it's there. If your particular one does not have it, they can order it as it is a part of their regular stock.

(by the way, Thompson, Williams etc.? LOVE YA!! GREAT STUFF!! Rescued me from the bondage of 80's pop and (shudder) rap.

Peace on you,

'Bear

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 12:38 PM

Well, I was most of the way through this thread before anyone mentioned Steve Earle -- in my opinion the greatest songwriter working today (although some days I'd give the edge to Richard Thompson; and Bob Dylan is still working, but his current stuff doesn't meet the standards he set in years past).

Craig -- Is this the same David Qualey who did an acoustic (nylon string) guitar album on Windham Hill back in the early-mid 80's? It's not that common a name, and I think the liner notes said he was an American living in Germany. It was a pretty good album, more substantive than a lot of the New Age wallpaper that was being put out at the time. But it sure wasn't singer-songwriter stuff. I always wondered what happened to him.

Subject: RE: Request for new singers/songwriters
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 02:39 AM

That sounds like the man, but I can't be certain. OK, he doesn't sing much, but he deserves mentioning. He made two albums in the Seventies which were hard to get, even then. About five years ago someone played me a bad tape of one of them and asked me if I knew anything. I checked through someone I know and found he was still working in Germany, and was given his agent's address. I gave this to the guy who'd asked me - he works for the BBC, so I figured he could do his own research. Anyway, he didn't follow it up. I did, much later, and found the agent had given up the business and couldn't help as Mr Qualey had moved house. Trail gone cold unless I rattle cages again!