The best singer/songwriter ever!

[Jack E Martling]

Who is the best singer/songwriter ever?

I'm going to cast 3 votes right off the bat for Merle Haggard. He's written so many great songs, his singing can't be beat, his bands have been great and he plays some pretty good guitar himself.

[babybatter]

1) Neil
2) JT
3) Ben Harper
4) Sarah Mcglaughlin

[SomeGuyNamedRob]

1. John Lennon
2. Paul McCartney

[ralphster007]

Joni Mitchell?

[Russ T Nail]

2 names for you to shoot me down with:

a. Mark Knopfler
b. Gordon Lightfoot

I would be interested in the responses of Rob Q and the other Canadian forumites as to the latter.

Russ T

[Russ T Nail]

Ah! As Jack started the Country theme, what about the wonderful Dolly Parton, superb songwriter and excellent performer

[Jack E Martling]

Originally posted by babybatter

3) Ben Harper


I don't recall anyone on the Vets Forum ever uttering the words "Ben Harper." All Vets should check him out, he writes great songs, sings them well and plays awe-inspiring slide guitar on early 1900-s Weissenborn guitars. Ben Harper gets three thumbs up from Jack E Martling!

[Fred5]

John Fogerty. If you x out "singer", I'd say
Ludvig Van. He would also win the "best deaf pianist" award. :D

[braif]

1. Paul Simon






2. Cat Stevens
3. Don McClean
4. Billy Joel
5. Bruce Springsteen

[ralphster007]

Originally posted by Fred5
Ludvig Van. He would also win the "best deaf pianist" award. :D

Ummm... While I feel strongly that the man possessed divine, godly, inhuman talent and has few peers, I'm not sure if he fits the singer/songwriter bill. After all, the man was not a lyricist. Secondly, his work for the human voice doesn't (for the most part) rank among his best. Furthermore, he only composed a single opera, which is of course beautiful, but flawed just the same. Perhaps Mozart, Verdi, or Wagner (who'd probably be the best candidate, given that he wrote his own librettos) would be better suited to the title. As to whether any of them could sing (except through their compositions), we'll never be able to judge with our own ears.

[The Eristic]

Knopfler
Dylan
Van Morrison

[Jack E Martling]

Originally posted by Fred5
John Fogerty. If you x out "singer",

Awww come on, Fogerty's voice makes me want to keep on chooglin' for days on end. He's one of those kick-ass singer/songwriter/guitar players that just makes you want to throw your guitars, fountain pens, notebooks and vocal cords in the trash.

[yak]

Originally posted by babybatter
1) Neil
2) JT
3) Ben Harper
4) Sarah Mcglaughlin
I like the way you think :)

[Wes_Powell]

Paul McCartney
Elton John
Jimi Hendrix
Billy Joel
Little Richard
Lindsay Buckingham
Sting
Chuck Berry
Melissa Etheridge
David Bowie
John Lennon
Robert Cray
Mark Knopfler
Christine McKvie


Well, that's enough talent for the next 400 years of MTV music awards.

:cool:

-wp

[jerry_picker]

1. Zimmerman
2. McCartney
3. Neil Young

[Fred5]

Originally posted by ralphster007


Ummm... While I feel strongly that the man possessed divine, godly, inhuman talent and has few peers, I'm not sure if he fits the singer/songwriter bill. After all, the man was not a lyricist. Secondly, his work for the human voice doesn't (for the most part) rank among his best. Furthermore, he only composed a single opera, which is of course beautiful, but flawed just the same. Perhaps Mozart, Verdi, or Wagner (who'd probably be the best candidate, given that he wrote his own librettos) would be better suited to the title. As to whether any of them could sing (except through their compositions), we'll never be able to judge with our own ears.

Well, without ignorance divine
lack of knowledge such as mine
We wouldn't have much of a forum ;)

[Fred5]

Originally posted by Jack E Martling


Awww come on, Fogerty's voice makes me want to keep on chooglin' for days on end. He's one of those kick-ass singer/songwriter/guitar players that just makes you want to throw your guitars, fountain pens, notebooks and vocal cords in the trash.
I ment Ludvig didn't sing much (check with ralphster ;) ) When I saw John F like 4 years ago
with his new band... man... He just shined like a diamond.

[JD92]

James Taylor?

[Evil Empire]

Bob Dylan
John Lennon
Bob Marley
Neil Young
McCartney

[Stringman]

My favorite singer/songwriter is a guy named Tommy Flanders He only recorded one LP, called "The Moonstone" which was made in 1969, and never found an audience. But it is an exquisite album. The songs are all great, Flanders is (or was) a fantastic singer, and the guitar work by Bruce Langhorne and the late Dick Rosmini is some of the nices tuff I've ever heard.

The fact that this album flopped, and Flanders never received the recognition he deserved, is a real shame.

[Jack E Martling]

Originally posted by Fred5

I ment Ludvig didn't sing much (check with ralphster ;) ) When I saw John F like 4 years ago
with his new band... man... He just shined like a diamond.

I saw him on that tour and he was great. The solo record he put out before that tour, Blue Moon Fever was a fantastic record. Supposedly he spent a good amount of time in Mississipi soaking up the atmosphere of the Deep South and woodshedding on the guitar before he made the record. Either way the shows were phenomenal, Rickenbackers, Telescasters, Les Pauls and Kustom & Vox amps out the old "yin-yang." Smokin' guitar tone, great vocals and killer songs to spare! You can't ask for much more than that.

[WGH]

Chuck Berry/John Fogerty...Rock 'n Roll

Lennon and McCartney...Rock 'n Roll, Pop, you name it

I love Merle Haggard

How come nobody has mentioned Willie?

And I know they really aren't, but I get a kick out of Jerry Jeff,
John Prine, and Gary Nunn

[Terje]

Dylan. Followed by nobody. End of story.

[Simple Exploding Man]

My favourite singer/songwriter ever is...........................Dave Grohl! I know none of you will agree with me, and you will probably flame me for it, but that's what I think.

[metalcore]

Joni Mitchell

[Doc Wilson]

Yall forgot Jim Croce.

[Jack E Martling]

Originally posted by Wes_Powell

Elton John
Billy Joel
Lindsay Buckingham
Melissa Etheridge
David Bowie
Christine McKvie


I think we can now safely assume that Wes Powell is either a middle aged woman or an extremely sensitive man. Not that there is anything wrong with that. :)

Simple Exploding Man, knowing you like I do I think I would have flamed you if you didn't say Dave Grohl.

[franchelB]

I agree with Lennon and McCartney + Bob Dylan...
But how come nobody mentioned Jagger and Richards. Y'all got beef with The Stones?

[jerry_picker]

"Singer-songwriter" is actually a fairly recent popular phenomenon. The idea is that the performer (who also sings) plays mostly or entirely their own material rather than covers.

With a few exceptions (Jimmie Rodgers, Carter Family, Bob Wills, etc.) this was a rare thing. Look at Elvis...the King of Covers.

When the folk movement of the very early sixties went pop (spelled D-Y-L-A-N) the impact of singer songwriters came to the fore, and then Lennon-McCartney got HUGE quickly. Myriad others who would have been mired in the obscurity of day jobs and night gigs in coffeehouses and bars instead became stars, icons.

[Wes_Powell]

Originally posted by Jack E Martling


I think we can now safely assume that Wes Powell is either a middle aged woman or an extremely sensitive man. Not that there is anything wrong with that. :)
Or just not a sloppy slob.

;)

We all fucked up and left Pete Townshend off the list.

We suck.

:(

-wp

[Doc Wilson]

There is also the problem of defining "greatest singer songwriter". I think Neil Young wins if we are talking about sheer volume of great tunes written and recorded by a solo artist over the years.

And if we push it to great songwriting teams, then its almost certainly Lennon-McCartney followed by Jagger/Richards and EJ/Taupin.

Finally, if we consider who could pull it off live with just a voice and a guitar my vote would go to Cat Stevens or Croce.

[stratosteve]

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/4961/publicity04home.jpg
http://www.randynewman.com/randy_oscar.jpg

Can I get an Amen?


I gotta go with the Boss, and James Taylor.

[Russ T Nail]

Originally posted by Doc Wilson

Finally, if we consider who could pull it off live with just a voice and a guitar my vote would go to Cat Stevens or Croce.

A fine diagnosis from the good Doctor.

In the early 70's when i first joined the Army, my room Corporal subjected us to a daily diet of 'Tea for the Tillerman' and 'Teaser and the Firecat', (despite this :p ) I love them to this day as I do Jim Croce's 'Photographs and memories'.

Wonderfully emotive stuff that has stood the test of time for the music alone beyond being merely a relic of nostalgia.

Russ T

[Russ T Nail]

May I also cast a vote for the wonderful Joan Armatrading, who is still on national radio playlists despite her being painfully shy and incredibly free from what the public persona of her as a major artist should be and in a similar vein I believe Tracy Chapman is a very fine and individual artiste.

An honorable mention also goes to Chrissie Hynde, great voice and fine if not outstanding songwriting

[Fred5]

I second Joan Armatrading. Check out the Show Some Emotion album. Incredibly good in every way.

[Chirpy_72]

I tend to think of "the singer / songwriter" of someone seperate from a band. I don't lump Lennon/McCartney, Jagger/Richards, Roth/Van Halen in the same boat as say the Jim Croce's and Cat Stevens of the world :)

That said, my votes go to:

Neil Diamond # 3
Elton John # 2
Paul Simon # 1


In fact I got up early, had some coffee, got out a book and listened to "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" ...

[SKEAMO]

i don't think they have been mentioned yet:

steve earle
jackson browne

they don't get a front row seat when it comes to singer/songwriters, but i sure enjoy their work.

[yak]

Pete Seeger
Woody
?

[Sam Therapy]

Bowie.

[Bubbluz]

Oh man,we're on pg 3 of a s/s thread and no-body has mentioned John Hiatt yet..:confused:

[Zimrah]

#1 Glenn Kaiser ... no, wait ... they have to sing well too? hmmmm. That should cut out Neil Young too, though. Got to think on this one.

BRAIF!!! You can run, but you can't hide!!!

Call me, you punk! Don't make me threaten to leave you my children and their parrot in my will. And if you don't hurry, I'm leaving you the yorkshire terrorist too!:D

[Jack E Martling]

Originally posted by Doc Wilson
There is also the problem of defining "greatest singer songwriter". I think Neil Young wins if we are talking about sheer volume of great tunes written and recorded by a solo artist over the years.


Although I'm a huge Neil Young fan I don't think either he or Dylan are anywhere near the top because they will never be mistaken for being able to sing. I'm talking about guys who not only write great songs but sing them without peer.

"I live the kind of life, that most men only dream of. I make my living writing songs, and singing them. After 40 years of pickin, I'm still alive and kicking down the walls. But, I hide my age and make the stage and walkaway without a curtain call."--Merle Haggard. That's what I'm talking about.

[PFB]

Bob Dylan
Hank Williams
Steve Earle
Johnny Cash
Matthew Ryan
Bruce Springsteen
Neil Young *
Van Morrison
Lou Reed *
Peter Gabriel
Jay Farrar
Neil Finn
Paul Westerberg


* if singing ability isn't a factor

[TheMan]

Elliott Smith is my current favorite.
Grant Lee Phillips is my long-term champ.

[Rob Quail]

I'll put in votes for John Hiatt, Steve Earle, Lennon, Springsteen, and Willie Nelson.

And what about Willie Dixon? Could be the most-covered songwriter of all time!!

Lightfoot has never been a fave of mine, even tho I'm canuck. But Robbie Robertson...!!! :cool:

[belle]

Criss Isaak!

[Doc Wilson]

Originally posted by Jack E Martling


Although I'm a huge Neil Young fan I don't think either he or Dylan are anywhere near the top because they will never be mistaken for being able to sing. I'm talking about guys who not only write great songs but sing them without peer.


Hell, none of the top tier songwriters can sing worth a shit. That's why they are songwriters!

I think Neil's voice works well with his material. I can't imagine anyone else singing "Old Man" or "Helpless".

[Jim Soloway]

Originally posted by Doc Wilson


Hell, none of the top tier songwriters can sing worth a shit. That's why they are songwriters!


Absolutely untrue. Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell all sing exceptionally well and at various times in their careers they have all written some wonderful music. The same was true for Paul McCartney when he was much younger.

[Doc Wilson]

McCartney ain't a singer-songwriter, Jim, though I'll agree he does both exceptionally well.

I don't put JT in the top tier. JMO.

JM is great, but I don't find her voice that pleasing in and of itself. She's actually the kind of person I was thinking of when I made the comment.

Paul Simon I'll give you, if only for his earlier work.

When I think Singer-Songwriter I think of guys like John Prine, Guy Clarke, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, you know, those guys who can't sing for shit.

[bek]

Dylan
Van Morrison



Robert Johnson

Springsteen
Billy Joel

[335clone]

Originally posted by Doc Wilson
When I think Singer-Songwriter I think of guys like John Prine, Guy Clarke, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, you know, those guys who can't sing for shit.

James McMurtry, Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snider, Lucinda Williams

[koiwoi]

Warren Zevon
Carol King
Roger Waters

[bad_guitar_player]

Tom Waits
Nick Cave

[SKEAMO]

Originally posted by 335clone


James McMurtry, Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snider, Lucinda Williams

you made my day, clone! that's the 1st time i've seen todd snider mentioned on here by anyone but me. check the sig;)

[Jim Soloway]

Originally posted by Doc Wilson
McCartney ain't a singer-songwriter, Jim, though I'll agree he does both exceptionally well.

I don't put JT in the top tier. JMO.

JM is great, but I don't find her voice that pleasing in and of itself. She's actually the kind of person I was thinking of when I made the comment.

Paul Simon I'll give you, if only for his earlier work.

When I think Singer-Songwriter I think of guys like John Prine, Guy Clarke, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, you know, those guys who can't sing for shit.

One at a time...

Doc, I don't know how old you are, but when it first came out Sweet Baby James was one of the most celerated albums by a song writer of all time. Of course, heroin took it's toll soon after.

I agree with with you're comment about Paul Simon being most notable for his early work, but his early work covered more years than most people's careers, from the first S&G album to at least Still Crazy After All These Years.

Joni Mitchell...let's just call that one a matter of personal taste. Until smoking finally caught up with ger around Hissing Of Summer Lawns, I thought she was a wonderful singer.

McCartney not a singer/songwriter? How not?

[koiwoi]

Have you heard that Paul Simon song about sex with a crowbar?

50 Ways to Love Your Lever-------Yuk yuk:D

[Doc Wilson]

Okay, roughly in reverse order, Paul M., is not really in this genre, because the majority of his work is with a band. He's a singer songwriter now, I guess, but I assumed you were talking about his masterpieces, Yesterday, etc...

Joni, c'mon, I think we can find agreement here. She is a vocal genius, but its quirky, she's like Young, her voice works with her stuff. She can't do covers. She's not your A list vocalist with world class timbre.

Simon, c'mon, I gave you him. But he's the exception. The best singer-songwriters, by and large, can't sing like Paul McCartney. Hell, even Simon can't.

On JT, I'm 46. that was a great album. But he's never come close to matching it, either in singing or songwriting. His output as a songwriter is not in the same class as Simon's, or Joni's.

But anyway, fun stuff to argue.

[L5S]

John Hiatt
John Prine
Michael Hedges
Bob Dylan
Jim Croce
James Taylor
Jim Morrison

[Jim Soloway]

Originally posted by Doc Wilson

Joni, c'mon, I think we can find agreement here. She is a vocal genius, but its quirky, she's like Young, her voice works with her stuff. She can't do covers. She's not your A list vocalist with world class timbre.


Can't do covers? Check out Court And Spark for possibly the best version of Twisted ever recorded.

By the way, did any of us actually mention Billy Joel or Stevie Wonder.

[NervePoet]

Back in my day, we didn't have any fancy pants Bob Dylans or Peter Gabriels. We had Alfalfa and we liked him!

http://www.younghollywoodhof.com/drina/alfalfa.jpg

[thisllub]

Don't know about the best but Brian Wilson played here 2 nights ago and the reviewers said;
Brian Wilson began the night by promising us he and the band would try to give us the best concert we had ever seen. He may well have done it.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1039656218519_2002/12/13/ent_bwilson.jpg

[jerry_picker]

Originally posted by thisllub
Don't know about the best but Brian Wilson played here 2 nights ago and the reviewers said;


http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1039656218519_2002/12/13/ent_bwilson.jpg

How come Brian Wilson, Don Henley, and Roger McGuinn have all morphed into the same person (at least in pics)?

[NervePoet]

Originally posted by jerry_picker


How come Brian Wilson, Don Henley, and Roger McGuinn have all morphed into the same person (at least in pics)?

LMAO! It's as if they went into a salon and said "I want the old fart singer songwriter" look.

[SomeGuyNamedRob]

Maybe it's the drugs - they make you morph into a generic KOF ( spelling Krusty with a K for extra Krustiness).

[Mucktunes]

John Hiatt

[Jack E Martling]

Five pages into this thread and no one has my back on "Merle the Pearl." That makes me sad, especially sad considering that today "I Started Loving Her Again," even though my "Mama Tried." Don't forget boys that "I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am." I haven't had dinner yet so you'll have to look into my "Hungry Eyes." I'm hitting the road tommorow behind the wheel of a big rig which makes me a "Ramblin' Man." After I pop a few bennies I'll get that old "White Line Fever." My sweet "Farmers Daughter" left me, but I'm strong and "I'll Leave The Bottle On The Bar."

For a modern twist I'd add Ben Harper to the list.:p

[jerry_picker]

Originally posted by Jack E Martling
Five pages into this thread and no one has my back on "Merle the Pearl." That makes me sad, especially sad considering that today "I Started Loving Her Again," even though my "Mama Tried." Don't forget boys that "I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am." I haven't had dinner yet so you'll have to look into my "Hungry Eyes." I'm hitting the road tommorow behind the wheel of a big rig which makes me a "Ramblin' Man." After I pop a few bennies I'll get that old "White Line Fever." My sweet "Farmers Daughter" left me, but I'm strong and "I'll Leave The Bottle On The Bar."

For a modern twist I'd add Ben Harper to the list.:p

Here's one for Merle Haggard.

"First thing I remember knowin',
Is a lonesome whistle blowin',
and a young'un's dream
of growin' up to ride..."

I found Merle through the Dead.

Ben Harper is all clever and good,
but he AIN'T NO MERLE HAGGARD.

[IAmTheStrings]

Tough, but just off the top of my pointy little head:

Elvis Costello
Pete Townshend
Hank Williams

[Delilah]

Robert Hunter
John Popper
Bernie Taupin

[ChiGirl]

Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Lucinda Williams, Trey Anastasio

[Terje]

Originally posted by ChiGirl
Deceased - Bob Dylan

That's not so nice of you :)

[Derelict King]

My vote for the "best" singer/songwriter goes to...

http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.26.02/gifs/aural-0239.jpg
Neil Young


Honorable mention goes to...

http://www.punkhart.com/dylan/images/1974tour2.JPG
Bob Dylan

http://www.rninet.de/darkstar/images/van-guitar.jpg
Van Morrison

http://www.anarca-bolo.ch/a-rivista/265/img/nickdrake1.jpg
Nick Drake

[O.G.G.]

Boxcar Willie

http://w1.523.telia.com/~u52303751/bilder/boxcar.JPG

:D

[dblazer]

Originally posted by ralphster007
Joni Mitchell?

I'll second THAT emotion, for sure. Good call.

[Sorted69]

Jim Morrison.

[albacorky]

man thats such a loaded question ..i read all the posts and only one guy mentioned warren zevon .. and he's from new zealand ..we oughta be ashamed of ourselves here in the states ..
warren zevon
don henley
neil young
billy joel
john prine
keb mo
jackson browne
karla bonoff
and yeah i know zevon and prine and young too for that matter don't have the best voice but they can write a good song ..

[Stringman]

As I look through this thread, I'm struck by the absence of

Jerome kern
Irving Berlin
Lerner and Lowe
Rogers and Hammerstien
Rogers and Hart
George Gershwin
George M Cohan

I have to admit with the exception of Gershwin, I'm not crazy about the music these men produced myself. It's the product of an earlier era, and like everybody else here, I don't relate to it. But these people have all spent their entire lives making music, and as musicians, we should at least be aware of what they did.

Just a thought.

[pauldconway]

Big up for Joni Mitchell. Also Chuck Prophet and Richard Thompson (both of whom kick arse on guitar, also).