Who's the best songwriter?

Subject: Whos the best song writer?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 09:45 PM

I thhink its Eric Bogle, or Ricghard Tohmson,
waht you think?

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 10:06 PM

"Traditional" always wins the prize, if I'm the judge. Otherwise, Barry Manilow.
-Joe Offer-

Did I say Barry Manilow? Actually, if I were honest, I'd probably say Cole Porter or the Gershwins.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bert
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:02 PM

ME of course!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bert
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:03 PM

Of course Amos is better than I am but just don't tell anyone.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Amos
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:08 PM

I dunno -- I've had a few Challenges where I was openly passed by with my doors rattling. But once you enter the range of Ep[titude I am of a mind that this is not a wise or enlightening question.   There are a dozen really excellent songwriters on this site, and probably a hundred who haven't dropped by, just in the folk and folkoid categoriew!

A

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:08 PM

it ain't no contest!

what artist has had more songs he wrote recorded by more
artists - in nearly every country in the world?

what artist has had more artists have hits of his songs than
any other artist in the world?

HANK WILLIAMS

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Amergin
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:28 PM

that Nathan Tompkins guy is the best...

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:31 PM

Abner Triplenight.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 11:39 PM

Can't say, but if you ask me who breathes in and out the best I'd say Sandra Bullock every time.

Don

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Gurney
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 02:12 AM

'Best' is hard! 'Favourite' is easy, the late Jake Thackray.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 03:41 AM

Robert Burns

wr.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: el ted
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 03:52 AM

me. no contest.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 05:56 AM

Shades of elementary school, when I could tell you who was my "First-best", "Second best" and "Third best friend."

So, who is best, Cole Porter (with a nod to Joe Offer) or Bob Dylan?

Which is the cutest animal, a kitten or an orangutan?

"Best" is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too subjective, and impossible. I go with Gurney. Favorite is a better adjective.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 07:16 AM

Dave Evardson who is appearing at Market Rasen Folk Club tonight with his missus Julie.

'Lincolnshire Family' was written by Dave which is based on a Latvian refugee's view of starting a new life in Lincolnshire in the late 1800s. It won first prize in the 2002 BBC Radio Lincolnshire "Write a Song for Lincolnshire" contest.

Much of their material is derived from the lives and work of people they have known who earned their living from fishing and its related trades.

Dave's own songs have been taken up and recorded by well-known singers such as Vin Garbutt "The Forty Thieves" and Johnny Collins "The North Wall". Loncolnshire singers John Conolly, Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher also have Dave's songs in their repertoires.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,GUESTBAILLIE
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 07:38 AM

Tom Bliss, listen to his song 'The Violin' and weep...

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: VIN
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 07:52 AM

I reckon one of the best over the years must be Roy Harper tho he probably won't get the due recognition 'til he's long gone, bit like Nick Drake and others.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bert
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 07:57 AM

Hmmm, GUEST of 3:41 has a point. It's hard to beat Ol Hank.

But there's other good uns out there. Willie Nelson, Gordon Lightfoot, Woody Guthrie, Ewan McColl, Eric Bogle.

And there's a hell of a lot of good songs that go unnoticed on the Mudcat challenge site.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 08:04 AM

Jim White...the best unknown songwriter alive and working today.

Honorable mention: John Prine

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: kendall
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 08:27 AM

Define "Best".

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: el ted
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 08:31 AM

nope... you are all wrong, it's me.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 08:37 AM

what genre? what era? lyrics or melody? arrangement? what time of day? what setting?

*so* subjective

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 08:59 AM

Sir P.Macca

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 09:09 AM

1 : excelling all others ex. the best student
2 : most productive of good or of advantage, utility, or satisfaction ex. what is the best thing to do

From Merriam Webster's online dictionary

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Once Famous
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 10:34 AM

If "best" is because the songs capture the spirit of the human experience, have existed for multi-generations and held up well (timeless), and can be sung and interpretated well by others than the songwriter himself, than Hank Williams stands at the top.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 10:48 AM

Glad to see Hank Williams mentioned here. It's impossible to have any one answer to a question like that, but every time I listen to Hank I'm overwhelmed by his genius.   I think Woody Guthrie is in the running, too.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 10:59 AM

Does it include instrumentals? If not then it has to be anything by Hull's own 'Crack Town'.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: breezy
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 11:11 AM

someone who communicates and is at ease with expressing themselves in words and has a masterful grasp of the language.

there are numerous names that come into mind. so here are a few

Stan Rogers Canada

Marcus Turner New Zealand

Jez Lowe England

George Papavgeris Greece

There are others that are yet to gain wider acclaim like Mike Deavin, Ben Campbell who sets Graham Searle's words to music

Mick Ryan

Harvey Andrews

Vin Garbutt

But there are some singers that write shite and think they are good

Its when other performers adopt your songs then you know that you've done something well.

Dan Mckinnon Canada

Tommy Sands Ireland

Robb Johnson Hounslow


JEREMY TAYLOR   is high on my list


How come most have appeared at the St Albans folk-song club?

fridays at the Duke of Marlborough,

Steve Tilston

Ralph whatsisname

Cyril Tawney

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 11:20 AM

GUEST: GUESTBAILLIE - "Tom Bliss, listen to his song 'The Violin' and weep... "

Bet you're a fifty-something female......... (ROFL)

J :0)

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: freda underhill
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 11:24 AM

Paul Spencer and John Warner are both outstanding song writers (+ both Australian)

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 11:48 AM

It's el ted, of course... :-)

Runners-up: Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, Joni Mitchell, Al Stewart, Gordon Lightfoot, Willie Nelson, Leonard Cohen, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Amos, and me.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: freda underhill
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 11:55 AM

Joni Mitchell, Judy Small.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: pdq
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 12:16 PM

Some candidates from the last forty years:
         Paul McCartney
         Shel Silverstein
         Gordon Lightfoot
         Bob Dylan
Hon. mention:
         Ian Tyson
         Steve Goodman

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: freda underhill
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 12:24 PM

John Lennon.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 12:51 PM

Can't argue about Hank, Dylan, Cole Porter, Gershwin, et al. With so many different genres, styles, etc., there can surely be no one "best" songwriter. However:

Let me add a mention of a favorite contemporary, Lucinda Williams.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 12:53 PM

oh my goodness gracious sakes to mercy! Such a list...and no one got the right answer!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Amergin
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 01:22 PM

Bill....if you would look at my earlier post you would have seen that i do in fact have the correct answer... ;)

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Padre
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 02:42 PM

Blind Alfred Reed has to be included if only for "Why Do You Bob Your Hair, Girls?"

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 02:47 PM

No such animal

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 06:14 PM

Let me add Mary Chapin Carpenter to the list.

And for some songs that aren't like anyone else's at all: Tanita Tikaram. She recorded several great albums in the 90's. She has a lyrical approach that is quite unusual and quite good.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: akenaton
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 07:13 PM

Davie Robertson
Rab Noakes...And (sorry el Ted)..Rufus Wainwright,just started listening to his music and although he's a poove,he's bloody brilliant ...Ake

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Augie
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 07:50 PM

Michael (Peter) Smith

Steve Goodman

Janis Ian

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: freightdawg
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 10:49 PM

Hate to rain on the Hank Williams parade, and maybe I'm just out of it, but what is so enduring about Hank Williams? I actually chuckled out loud when I read the first comment from guest, but then others chimed in. I consider myself to be somewhat of an old classic country and western music afficianado, but beyone "Your Cheatin Heart" and "Hey Good Lookin" I cannot think of any Hank Williams songs, and I really don't think either one of those two was particularly good. I am always up to be educated, so please, enlighten me.

I have to agree with the majority here, in addition to "best" what is meant by "song writer." Is it in reference to lyrics, the poetry and influence of the song, or the way the lyrics and tune are married together? I'd like to see the field narrowed just a little bit before I submitted my ideas. I like many of the names listed, but have a couple that have not been mentioned.

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bugsy
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 10:58 PM

No one is "Best", they're all just "Different"

CHeers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,DaveC
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 11:52 PM

Tom Lehrer.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 03:08 AM

Breezy's list gets my vote. Add Burns, Thomas Moore, Eric Bogle and you have a world beating bunch--hard to pick the top notcher, though.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: alanabit
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 03:33 AM

Switch off your radios and televisions and swap a few tapes and CDs with Mudcatters and you will hear more good songs than you have heard in years.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: freda underhill
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 03:36 AM

Bill D - out with it.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 04:45 AM

Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Hammerstein and Rogers
Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Issac Hayes
Bob Dylan, Ray Davies, Richards and Jagger

...and let us not forget the prolific trad.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Chongo Chimp
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 09:57 AM

Warren Zevon.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: s6k
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 10:00 AM

GAH, mccartney wasnt as good as lennon.

bob dylan
leonard cohen
john lennon
stevie wonder
joan baez
joni mitchell

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 04:57 PM

I guess Jeremy Taylor is my favourite but Paul Metsers has written some beauties too - Farewell to the gold for example.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 04:57 PM

james keelaghan

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 06:41 PM

Don't see Allan Taylor on the list yet, certainly a contender, as is Robin Laing.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,patriot1314
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 07:14 PM

I have to agree with those who said Robert Burns, but I can't believe Jimmy McCarthy hasn't been mentioned yet

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 07:28 PM

well, freda, the right answer is, that there IS no one right answer....but any list without Craig Johnson on it is incomplete...(Stick the name in the search box)

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 08:18 PM

10th best--- Mace Cohn
9th best---- Robert Johnson
8th best---- Hank Williams
7th best---- John Lennon
6th best---- Patti Griffin
5th best---- Mark Germino
4th best---- Steve Earle
3rd best---- John Prine
2nd best---- Paul Siebel.......















Best---- Bob Dylan

Thats my take on it...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 08:41 PM

ahhh, Bobert!...(and Little Hawk, too).... such a BIG difference between 'best' and 'most well-known writer who influenced YOUR generation and hit it big with a couple of well-placed poems chanted in nasal tones to a clunky guitar'.....but far be it from ME to critique the taste of others...*sly grin*

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 09:40 PM

Another great thread.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: kendall
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 10:08 PM

Way too subjective

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 12:12 AM

Dylan is the best that I have ever heard. Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, The Glimmer Twins, Lennon & McCartney (let's not forget George Harrison's contributions) have all been mentioned here but I would include them on my list. Let's not forget the other Willie, Willie Dixon who wrote so many of the Chicago Blues classics that were recorded by Muddy, Howlin Wolf, Little Walter etc. Robert Johnson
seems to be absent from this list. I'm surprised that Bill Monroe hasn't been mentioned yet. Carter and Ralph Stanley wrote some beauties.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Ingrid Frances Stark
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 02:39 AM

Gilbert and Sullivan. I'm pretty sure Sullivan wrote the lyrics and Gilbert did the score.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Cats
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 02:56 PM

Jon Heslop really has to be up there as well. He writes some stunning songs.. Last Fisherman, Old Soldiers, Lifeboat Prayer, Cheap Boats, and we keep finding songs of his labelled as Trad (who is also a great writer.) Where there is a song session it's a good bet you'll hear a Heslop song.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 03:44 PM

No, Ingrid, Gilbert did the lyrics and Sullivan did the music: he did some other great stuff without Gilbert too!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Beer
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 05:19 PM

Bob Dylan
Kris Kristofferson
John Prine
Gordon Lightfoot
Hank Williams

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: freightdawg
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 08:30 PM

Okay, ready to add my 2 cents:

Can't argue with McCartney, Lennon, et. al. I don't like some of their music, but you cannot argue that the Beatles will go down in history for, among all the other things, great lyrics.

And I was going to add Gilbert and Sullivan, thanks for sorting out who did the lyrics and who did the score.

A couple of other names that I do not immediately remember as being listed: Roy Orbison and Paul Simon. The sheer volume of Simon's work is amazing.

A couple of lesser lights, although no less in quality, would be Harold and Don Reid and Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers. For years the SB's virtually owned the country music awards as the best group, and one of their songs was usually up for best song. Jimmy Fortune has written some of the most beautiful love songs ever recorded.

And last, and tied at number one on my list (with several others), is John Denver. To make #1 on my list the writer would have to have a large volume (no one hit wonders), have demonstrated an ability to handle different subject matters, be able to cross, at least marginally, some "genre" lines, and be able to speak to many different people on different levels. Hence, McCartney and Simon, but also Dylan, and Lightfoot. Denver is so often "dissed" because people only remember "Rocky Mountain High" or "Take Me Home Country Roads." It is fascinating to see how Denver's work changed through the years, just as his life changed and his emphasis changed. Denver could work with several different styles, although the one he prefered, and the one he was best at, was what he referred to as "Western Songs," the songs that were inspired by and came from a love for, the American west.

(P.S. Can't someone tell me why Hank Williams keeps showing up? I'm not trying to start a fight, but I would like someone to share a "why.")

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 08:36 PM

Dr Bob Dylan.

Hank Williams keeps showing up because he has to, not because he deserves to.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 11:36 PM

Wow

There is an astounting amount of crap listed in this thread

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 07:12 PM

There is an astounding number of great songwriters mentioned in this thread (too few of them female!), but still no one has seen fit to refer to Brian McNeill who must be one of the most consistently quality songwriters, unlike e.g. Eric Bogle, whose output sprinkles some pretty dire lyrics among the greats!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: MichaelM
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 07:25 PM

The best songwriter is Time.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 08:07 PM

it sure upsets me to have to agree with anonymous 'guest', but this one time, I will. (even though it can't spell.."astounting amount of crap")

Too many folks are confusing 'famous' (or infamous) and 'well-promoted' with 'good'...In fact, some of those mentioned HAVE written 'some' pretty good things, but c'mon...

...and no one has even mentioned Dave Goulder or Graeme Miles or Gordon Bok or.....27 others.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 09:20 PM

And William Shatner- surely he writes songs?

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 09:28 PM

no, but he (Shatner) has murdered several songs. Between him and Leonard Nimoy, they have "gone where no singer has gone before".

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bo Vandenberg
Date: 05 Jul 04 - 10:53 PM

The most recent one and the oldest one still enjoyed.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: BO in KY
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 12:09 AM

Charles Wesley, followed closely by Isaac Watts....



in more recent centuries, Bill Staines has written some classic stuff, and a tip of the cap to Harry Chapin

BO

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Amos
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 12:13 AM

If we're gonna get serious, now, some of Christine Lavin's certainly qualify her. And I second some of those votes for Prine. But you aren't going to find "a" best.

A

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Day_Tripper
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 02:44 AM

I have to vote forMcCartney/Lennon. A large portion of their music is almost genius.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 06:01 AM

I don't believe there's a best either, but whilst we're creating a list I notice that no one's mentioned Rory McLeod.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: burntstump
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 07:10 AM

Don't forget GUY CLARK!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 07:46 AM

The 'best' songwriter is the one who floats yer personal boat.
Mine are:-

1) His Majesty Stan Rogers
2) Archie Fisher
3) Maggie Holland (she's a female BTW!) :0)
4) Allan Taylor
5) Sally Barker (ex-poozies and another female) :0)
6) Kylie and Emma Bunton (they don't write songs but they do float my boat) :0)

Johnny :0)

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 08:20 AM

Issac McKittery. And it's that time of year again!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,An English Patriot
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 08:33 AM

Tony Hatch

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Chris Green
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 12:35 PM

If he'd got around to setting anything to music it'd be William McGonagall. Or do I mean Robert Burns? I always get the two confused!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Cornflake
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 05:46 PM

Townes Van Zandt.

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Wilbur Forthright
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 07:06 PM

I am the best song writer.

I have never released an official recording, and almost no one has ever heard of me, but I am the best. I do not plan to ever release a commercial recording, because I detest commerciality. Still, I am the best.

Now this should be very pleasing to those among you who have posted in OUTRAGE over various famous people, like Bob Dylan or Hank Williams whom others have dared to praise as great songwriters.

Yes, you can rest assured that the well known singers in the music business do not in any way approach the abilities of someone like myself, someone the music industry has never seen fit to promote in any way whatsoever.

In fact, if you got to know my unrecorded and unreleased music you would soon glow with the inner awareness that only YOU and a CHOSEN FEW in the great, stupid crush of humanity could possibly be cool enough to even know about, let alone appreciate, my greatness. You would feel very special...like you do now...but even more so.

But it would get out of hand if too many people got to know about me. Then I'd become "popular" (shudder!). I would be seen as a "sellout" or a "phony" or a "hack", like Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, and all those other sellouts.

So be glad that I have remained obscure and given the world almost nothing, despite my great potential. I'm a lot like you. Love me.

- Wilbur Forthright, the world's greatest songwriter

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Amos
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 07:16 PM

Oh, Little Hawk, stop acting like Bearded Bruce.


A

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 07:25 PM

You're just jealous, cos you never even heard of Wilbur Forthright. :-) I pity you. (heh!)

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Puffenkinty
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 08:24 PM

Tom Paxton!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Margret RoadKnight
Date: 06 Jul 04 - 08:25 PM

Best? always/too subjective,
but not previously mentioned and certainly amongst my favourites -

Oscar Brown Jr
Mose Allison
Malvina Reynolds
Johnny Mercer
and the brilliant John Shortis
(latter Australian - I've recorded dozens of his songs)

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Shula
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 01:39 AM

I think Joe Offer is right to revise his choice. Cole Porter has my vote, too. To nit-pick a bit, shouldn't this thread be called "favourite" song writer, rather than "best." The former cannot be "wrong;" the latter can never be proved "right."

Hello, again!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 09:02 AM

Shula!!! {{{big hug)))....hello, you!

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: jack halyard
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 05:04 PM

As a songwriter about whom some rather excessively nice things have been said, I'm not keen on hyperbole. personally, the last song of Dylan's I liked was "the times they are a changing" but there's a large number of people who will disagree with me. The "best" must be subjective. As writers I put people such as Ewan McColl, Stan Rogers,
and Cyril Tawney high on my list of role models, but I don't have a "best". Has anybody mentioned Australia's John Dengate? His song "Carlingford" still brings me close to tears after about fifteen years of singing it and his poem "The Lanes of Wooloomooloo" is up alongside Kipling in its portrayal of the victims of war.
Folk music, to me is not about competition, it's about singing and the "Best" music to me is that made by forty or so voices making a great chorus work hard.
                            Jack Halyard

Subject: RE: Whos the best song writer?
From: Rain Dog
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 04:04 AM

Who's the 'best' song writer ?

Step right up.............Mr Tom Waits

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 06:52 AM

Al Gore. He wrote Barbara Allen right after he invented the Internet.

By today's Republican standards, the Democratic lies of Al Gore and Bill "I never had sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky" Clinton seem so quaint, almost charming.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Shula
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 07:42 AM

Dear Janice in NJ,

Bit of a cheap shot, that. Got an alternative choice on topic?

Shula

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Hawker
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 09:33 AM

Have we mentioned Keith Marsden or John Connolly?
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: matai
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 10:13 AM

Patti Smith
Heather Nova
Joni Mitchell
Joan Baez
Suzanne Vega
Lucinda Williams
Tanita Tikaram
Joan Armatrading
Toni Childs
Carole King
Janis Ian
Kathryn Tait
Indigo Girls
Lorina Harding
Dolly Parton
Kate Wolf
Judy Small
India Arie
Michelle Shocked
Tracy Chapman
Bonnie Rait
Delores O'Riordan
etc,etc,etc,

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 12:54 PM

I agree with many of your choices, Matai, but...not a single male songwriter on your entire list???? I thought that only some males suffered from this kind of gender-exclusive listening pattern, but I guess I was wrong. :-)

Seriously. I once asked several male friends to list the "ten greatest" songwriters they could think of between 1960 and 1980. Not one of them had any females on the list except me...and I'm male. I had 2 females on my list. If it was after 1980 I would've have more of them.

And how about Shawn Colvin and Mary Chapin Carpenter and Tish Hinojosa?

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST,plum
Date: 08 Jul 04 - 06:00 PM

The problem with Dylan is that a lot of his melodies aren't great. Some are good, like all along the watchtower which is very nice and moody. And undoubtedly he's one of the best lyricists.

But surely good songwriting is about more than good lyrics, and I don't really know if we can call Dylan the best songwriter (and this is coming from a Dylan fan), when some of his tunes are so dire. He can't even get a good one when he steals it from someone else, eg blowin' in the wind.

And having seen him live last month, every song had the same tune of one note repeated with the last syllable going up a few notes. And I know thats to do with performing and not songwriting, but I consider good songs to have a great melody, eg waterloo sunset, great delivery, eg northwest passage, and great lyrics too. And as far as I see it, a lot of Bob's songs only fall into the last category, so I don't think we can really call him the best songwriter. Sorry Bob.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: el ted
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 09:01 AM

You are all wrong, it's me.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: el ted
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 09:01 AM

oh, 100 by the way.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 02:17 PM

I don't agree regarding the Dylan melodies. Many fine melodies there. That doesn't mean, however, that you will hear him sing those melodies in concert! Specially not nowadays, with his voice 3/4 gone.

To hear the melodies, listen to the original recordings or listen to other singers doing the same songs...as in the case of Joan Baez's collection of Dylan tunes called "Any Day Now". All kinds of great melodies there.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 02:35 PM

Still, his melodies can't match those of el ted.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST,IMHO
Date: 09 Jul 04 - 08:24 PM

Farewell, Angelina
Love is Just a Four-letter Word
Tamborine Man
Every Grain of Sand
Love Minus Zero, No Limit
Tomorrow is a Long Time
Like a Rolling Stone
Just Like a Woman

I suppose I could consult some CD covers for more titles, but the above demonstrate the man's ability to marry words and melody.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: AllanW
Date: 10 Jul 04 - 04:24 AM

Ray Davies. Hey, I'm English, he writes about home.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: del boy
Date: 10 Jul 04 - 05:07 AM

its got to be Neil Young so meany songs over the years BEST NEW SONG WRITER RYAN ADAMS

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jul 04 - 04:13 AM

Syd Barrett
and
Bob Dylan
and
me

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 14 Jul 04 - 11:15 PM

I'd have to agree with a number of people above (particularly
those that said there's no one "best song writer"; depends
on my mood and what genre I'm looking for as to who is currently
my favourite). But there's one who hasn't been mentioned above,
who, if you look at the acclaim they get through other
folk performers covering their songs (not counting such pop artists
as the Beatles and Dylan), should by all rights be on the list
up there, along with Seeger, McColl, and Malvina Reynolds:

Bruce "Utah" Phillips

Just MHO.

Cheers,

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 12:45 AM

Good to see Syd Barrett and Roy Harper get a mention in this thread!
Bob Dylan must go down in history as being one of the last century's finest writers of pop/folk songs. Garcia/Hunter (Grateful Dead) wrote some pretty good folky/americana stuff. Phil Ochs wrote some good (non protest) songs - "Changes" springs to mind. Ray Davies was/is a genius. But there again that's just my taste - and that's constantly changing - Oh yeah don't forget Jack Bruce/Pete Brown and all those great Cream songs.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 03:41 PM

Best is impossible - everyone's tastes vary. Though there are some great ones in the thread I am surprised John Stewart is not there - maybe his early association with the Kingston Trio is too much for some traditionalists but for me [and for my American friends] he is the one who hits the right spot.

Eric

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST,scouse
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 04:11 PM

No one's mentioned John Gorka.......... so I will. Beauuuuuuutiful lyrics and what a voice.. as aye, phil

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Ira
Date: 01 Aug 04 - 08:40 PM

Kate Wolf. She combines great warmth and intelligence in a very sincere and personal way.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST,Guest - Ri Ra
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 09:31 PM

Haven't any of you heard of TOM RUSSELL?

IMO Tom Russell is the best singer/songwriter alive and on tour today. Do yourselves a favor - check out his website and go hear him. He has toured with guitar wizard Andrew Hardin for several years.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 10:15 PM

Tom Russel is indeed a great songwriter, and deserves mention here.

My vote is still for Bob Dylan, though.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Peace
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 10:19 PM

What he said.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: lucky_p
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 10:23 PM

I think it has to be Bob Dylan. He is the Picasso of music -- he took all of it in an entirely new direction that, to me, will never be repeated.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: GUEST,junior
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 02:59 PM

I think that Kanye West is the best song writer.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 06:20 PM

Van Morrison

Steve Earle

Bob Dylan

Townes Van Zandt

Johnny Mercer

Merle Haggard

Joni Mitchell

Burt Bacharach

Woody Guthrie

George Gershwin

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: s6k
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 06:48 PM

no one will beat Bob Dylan.

but also people to note are John Lennon, Leonard Cohen, Roger Waters

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: sharyn
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 11:44 PM

Best? Best? I always get excited when I hear there is a new release by Richard Thompson, Chris Smither, Carol Denney, Lyle Lovett, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman. And I think Dylan is a brilliant songwriter -- not all the time, but no one is brilliant all the time. Leonard Cohen is quite good, and is always releasing new versions of things (he rewrites obsessively). Lucinda Williams, Iris DeMent, Laurie Lewis. Kate Rusby sometimes does brilliant rewrites and sometimes writes total crap, in my opinion. There are a lot of very good songwriters in the world and a lot of very bad ones, too. Oh yeah, and someone should have mentioned Jean Ritchie by now and Debbie McClatchy -- sometimes one song is all it takes.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: s6k
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 05:15 AM

tracy chapman, richard thompson, i should have mentioned these, there are quite a few greats, a lot of goods, and a lot of bads too

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 05:03 AM

Richard Thompson.

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: s6k
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 05:33 AM

westlife

Subject: RE: Who's the best song writer?
From: woodsie
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:00 AM

Dave Kenningham - hands down!!!

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 09:58 AM

The one with the most Industry Awards!

"He who dies with the most toys wins!"

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Melani
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 03:02 PM

Eric Bogle, Stan Rogers, Bob Franke, followed by Gordon Bok. My personal opinion, not to be regarded as fact unless you happen to agree.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Eye Lander
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 03:20 PM

Mike Harding has written some wonderful songs

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Eye Lander
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 03:21 PM

not saying he's the best, but really like his stuff

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: pdq
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:42 PM

To my Honorable Mentions let's add:   

Mike Cross

Guy Clark

Robert Earl Keen, Jr.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:49 PM

Can't believe I've wasted five minutes of my life reading this and another 30 seconds posting.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:05 PM

Yeah. How are you EVER going to get that 30 seconds back?

Maybe you should consider suing for damages.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,Dallas Guest
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 02:01 AM

Ellis Paul.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,Gene Burton
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 12:56 PM

In all likelihood, the best songwriter is some guy unheard-of outside his home town, whose music none of us will ever get to hear. Sorry if this sounds unduly pessimistic, but it's a fact that (due to the vagaries of chance, luck and capitalism) many of the best songs never even get recorded, let alone commercially released. That said, of all the songwriters who've had the good fortune to be widely heard of; these are in my view deserving of particular attention:-
Bob Dylan
Leadbelly
Bert Jansch
Richard Thompson
Cyril Tawney
Bill Monroe
Morrissey (yeah, seriously!)
Nick Drake
Jackson C. Frank

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,nemter
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 05:30 AM

Some great songwriters that I don't think have been mentioned yet:

Richard Shindell
Dave Carter
Greg Trooper
Leon Rosselson
Buddy and Julie Miller
David Francey

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 05:35 AM

I sing for old folks most days and not many of those songs would be known by them - a few Hank Williams maybe, one or two Beatles.

As you say Gershwin and Cole Porter haxve written some quite popular ones. I suspect most people know a few Les Reed and Harlan Howard songs without realising it.

Harry Warren though scores as does Jerome Kern.

Top though, I'd place the lyricist Dorothy Field. I ain't going to tell you. You check her out - don't worry - you know ALL her songs!

Call yourself a feminist and you don't know about Dorothy - that lady with the long list of women writers.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 08:11 AM

gershwin, Irving Berlin,Gershwin, Lennon McCartney, Dylan, Cohen, Hank Williams, Goffin King, Bruce Cockburn..........on and on Gershwin.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 08:29 AM

Don"t Forget Gordon Lightfoot, Laura Smith,Hank Snow, Wilf Carter,Gene Maclellan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell. Ian Tyson, Leonard Cohen,Sylvia Tyson, Stan Rogers,K D Lang,Bruce Guthro, all from the great whire North..and oh yea..Paul Anka

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: 14fret
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 11:48 AM

No such thing but.... of the living.... Randy Newman takes some beating.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: pdq
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 01:35 PM

Hank Williams get nominated several times on this thread. Here is a site that seems to support that opinion:

                                           The Cover Site

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 01:49 PM

Lots of good suggestions. They're all here! Hank, Lennon, Macca (but Lennon IS better), Willie, Lightfoot, Neil Young, NIck Drake... but Dylan would probably be my pick. I love his lyrics...

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 06:34 PM

So many people putting on such long lists, seems to prove you can't have a favourite. A song by a particular singer at a particular time is "favourite". Kind of makes a thread like this irrelevant, don't you think???

threads like this could be seen by outsiders to be divisive. We as "folkies" should pull together and celebrate what wonderful talent we have in our midst, not segregate.

Just my opinion of course!!

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: mg
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 07:56 PM

I don't think it is irrelevant and I don't think it is divisive and I personally have no problem at all having favorite singers, songs etc. I make decisions very easily. And don't change them very much. I enjoy reading other people's favorites, and of all the things in this world of woe to worry about, worrying about what outsiders think of someone's list of favorite songwriters is really close to the bottom of my list. mg

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,MurkeyChris
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 08:21 PM

For me, no-one beats Richard Thompson.

Chris

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 12:11 AM

Well, there's so many to choose from...So i'm just going with me. I've decided that if i'm going to be a rock star and have drugs and money and groupies, i'd better develop and ego, and quick.....

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 12:27 AM

I think the "observer" is correct. Do you realize how much real down to earth talent we have around this site. This is the best forum on the Net for music fans. As opposed to the umpteen sites dedicated to the Britney Spears' and "Nu Metal" sites that pollute the internet... but anyway, this has become a favorites list, which goes to show how many diverse (and wonderful) opinions we have here.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 06:55 AM

I agree with Blissfully Ignorant apart from one small fact that I am the best song writer. I'm normally quite humble about these things but I hadn't realised there was so much competition!

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: brid widder
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 01:33 PM

Jake Thackray.. Paul Simon... and Bill Caddick... but it's horses for courses

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Dagmar
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 03:17 PM

Well, he is hard to categorise, but I have to add Shawn Phillips here...

by the way ... he is on a concert tour in Germany this november .. any fans check his web site www.shawnphillips.com

Dagmar

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 05:23 PM

Has anybody ever heard of Mary Gauthier? Definitely worth checking out!

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: ClearMorning
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 08:11 PM

Gordon Lightfoot has written hundreds of great songs.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 10:24 PM

Hoagy Carmichael and Fats Waller

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 07:26 PM

Definitely surprised to see Syd here. If he got himself together, he would've been one of the greats....

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: s6k
Date: 27 Oct 04 - 07:19 AM

how could i forget Syd

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,Robert J. Harper
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 11:25 PM

Jimmy Fortune is the best songwriter by far, His Gospel c/d I believe ,just released will even captivate the nonbeliever,you can see for yourself if you go to www.jimmyfortune.com and listen his awsome songs I believe and cool country sunday.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: beetle cat
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 11:33 PM

sydney carter.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,Countryman2002
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 09:15 AM

Bob Marley is the best songwriter ever!

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: EagleWing
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 01:09 PM

The list seems divide between those who CAN think of a "best songwriter" - but with little agreement as to who it is (other than el ted, of course) and those who know there is no such thing so they give a long list of candidates.

I've actually enjoyed the 10 minutes or so reading this but, unless I missed it, no-one has mentioned Matt McGinn. He may not be the best because no one is but he certainly deserves a mention. Also, what about Johnny Handle, Alistaire Claire and Leon Rosselson?

(And absolutely no-one has mentioned Rolf Harris :-) )

Frank L.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 07:57 PM

Joe Ely - Butch Hancock of course - all that stuff
doodle Owens did some nice stuff for Moe Bandy
George Jones had his good days and Dolly Parton of course.
Joni Mitchell , natch.and nobody writes about England as well as Ralph McTell

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: number 6
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 12:04 AM

Townes Van Zandt
Tom Waits
Jimmy Webb
Brian Wilson

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: John C.
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 12:59 PM

I admit I've just skimmed through this but I've only counted 3 mentions of Ewan MacColl in 158 postings. C'mon! What is wrong with the world?! Far too many modern songs seem to me to be introspective twaddle but Ewan wrote wonderful songs of universal appeal and relevance.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: Cruiser
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 01:34 PM

For folk songwriting: Stephen Collins Foster

His poverty and suffering never allowed him to receive professional acclaim commensurate with the quality of his compositions. The "Ethiopian songs" were some of his best.

For pure Country:    Hank Williams Sr.

For Popular Music:   John D. Loudermilk

Cruiser

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: cptsnapper
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 04:42 PM

Judy Collins, Chris Simpson of Magna Carta, James Taylor, The McGarrigles, Steve Goodman, Chuck Berry, Clifford T. Ward

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: MojoBanjo
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 07:25 PM

The person who, at a particular point in your life, speaks to that life in song.

For me, that has been Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and hundreds of nameless blues and folk musicians who inherited a song, buffed it up a bit, and sent it on its way down the river.


Brian

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 08:52 PM

faves........ harry warren, loudon wainwright, macca and bruce.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: ev
Date: 19 Dec 04 - 01:10 PM

I see here amongst the folkies et all, there was ONE mention of Paul Simon..?
Sheesh.
Too New Yawk, Maybe?
No mention of Ellington?
and what does it say about a writer who's output is more palatable from the mouths of others than his own? Gotta be something to the SONGS, ya think? Given a choice between seeing Bob Dylan perform or seeing ... say, Robyn Hitchcock perform an evening of Dylan songs -- I'd go for Robyn with out a doubt! =)

The best songwriter is subjective, according to your own exposure and sophistication and conceit, so in effect this whole thread is masturbatory. With quite a bit of brown nosing.
shower time, and my soap's on a rope, TY. (flutters lashes)
Now -- give me the REAL skinny by which I can learn to understand who you are and what has influenced you... oh wait. There's another thread for that.
(nasal voice)Nevermind.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 10:46 PM

Conor Oberst, aka Bright Eyes

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,Sidewinder.
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 02:02 AM

Top 10 list seems the best way -apologies for the repetition but most of you are discerning music fans.

1) Lennon & McCartney.
2) Bob Dylan.
3) Chuck Berry.
4) Smokey Robinson.
5) Tom Waits.
6) Stevie Wonder.
7) Buddy Holly.
8) Hoagy Carmichael.
9) Robbie Robertson.
10) Cat Stevens.

Just missing out;

Robert Johnson.
Woody Guthrie.
Leadbelly.
Willie Dixon.
James Brown.
John Prine.
Carole King & Gerry Goffin..
Jeff Barry & Ellie Grenwich.
Phil Spector.
David Bowie.
Joe Strummer.
Leiber & Stoller.
Pomus & Shuman.
George Michael.
Holland, Dozier, & Lamont.
Freddy Mercury.
Van Morrison.
Bacharach & David.
Norman Whitfield.
Joe Mercer.
Irving Berlin.
Cole Porter.
Neil Young.
Otis Blackwell.
Jesse Stone.
Bob Marley.
U2.
STING.
etc. etc. etc.

Regards.

Sidewinder.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: jaze
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 06:56 PM

The late great Kate Wolf belongs way up on the list.

Subject: RE: Who's the best songwriter?
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 24 Jun 05 - 04:57 PM

Maybe not the best, but personal favorites?
Mary chapin Carpenter
Shawn Mullins

Guess I'm a little bit Country, and a little bit Rock and Roll. ;(