Singer Songwriter types

[Rickey]

I thought I would start a thread on little known (?) singer songwriter types. The emphasis here is on story telling and lyrics more than musicianship.

Maybe you know some, or all. Feel free to comment or add some more.

I may start another thread about blues guys who are still playing and are worth seeing live. Unless you beat me to it.

I’ve had the good fortune of seeing the first three at the Ark in Ann Arbor, MI.

Todd Snider. Funny as hell. He lives in East Nashville and sometimes plays in the bars there in a garage band kind of way. At the Ark, when some heckler shouted for “Freebird” Todd complied. “I only know the chords though” and played for quite a while. “Had enough Freebird yet?”

Ballad of the Devil’s Backbone Tavern http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcXdr8cCl-w
Play a Train Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nCLCsLEoXg
Iron Mike’s Main Man’s Last Request http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31nEQFLc-W4

Greg Brown His music varies a lot. He was in a pan pipe phase for a while, that didn’t do anything for me. Covenant is his bluesiest album, and that is another story entirely. Further In is another great one.
‘Cept you and Me Babe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJFqzWfGWEg&feature=related
Blue Car http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS8CdCPogSc&feature=related
Further In http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwYa0L8ioI8

Fred Eaglesmith – very quirky guy live. Lately it seems like he has been trying to write some hits to make some money. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

I can’t find a good youttube version of his song 49 Tons but the first lines are classic –
If there were seventeen cars out in my back yard, boys in blue were calling my name, semi- automatics up on the rooftop, they just want to talk to me. I’d tell them what they wanted to hear, the only thing that I knew: Forty-nine tons of diesel locomotive couldn’t drag me back to you.

Wilder than Her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsDL7GIn1uw

Townes van Zandt. Inspired by Lightning Hopkins, with a country turn. Brilliant lyrics.

No Deal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n9-Ok0reog
To Live is to Fly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5wrzwINOJM&NR=1
Waiting Around to Die http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTGKzWDakK8&feature=related
Colorado Girl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhp7ArGqy0c

[Brian]

Hey Bluesify, great post! I actually listened to every link from the first three that you suggested (I already know the Townes van Zandt stuff) – anyway, thanks for sharing those. I had never heard of Todd Snider, Greg Brown, or Fred Eaglesmith. Always exciting to be turned on to new stuff like that. In particular I really liked Todd Snider, very cool – going to download some of his stuff and check him out further.

I’m like you in that I love the singer songwriter stuff too. It’s always harder to get exposed to it though – it really does spread virally like this.

Have you ever listened to any of Steve Earl’s stuff? I’ll assume you have since you’re into Townes and John Prine. Now to balance your post I’ll throw out some of my favorite female singer / songwriters.

Gillian Welch / Dave Rawlings:

Check out Dave Rawlings on guitar – this guy is one of my all time heroes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y19K450FmKA&feature=fvsr

Caleb Meyer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nugXkgd_-84

Patty Griffin:

Patty Griffin – Forgiveness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvdV3W8Q1yU&feature=related

Patty Griffin – Heavenly Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWzuLAHnGBQ&feature=fvsr

Jonatha Brooke:

Blood From a Stone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2McZtL-I0zc&feature=autoplay&list=PL0B058363946C20A7&index=38&playnext=2

Secrets and Lies – ok, this version doesn’t do the studio version justice because the vocal harmonies are what really make it.. but here’s her solo performance of Secrets and Lies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3yrx-hl15c&playnext=1&list=PL0B058363946C20A7

Just a few of my favorites.. wow, I just realize how much I miss making mix tapes 🙂

[Rickey]

Thanks for the response. If you like Prine, it isn’t surprising you like Snider. I think they have even played together at Bonaroo or something like that. Brown’s best songs/lyrics are up there with Townes IMO, and I think Townes may be the best. Some of Eaglesmith’s stuff is very good, though not quite there. (Again, IMO)

I do know of Earle, I’ve seen him play in Knoxville, I think. Or Bristol. I have Train A Comin’ and The Mountain. And of Welch, I like her stuff also.

I’ve heard of Patty Griffin, but am less familiar with her. Jonatha Brooke is a completely new one.

Here’s another

Jackson C Frank
Mystery http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msWzLvvDutw
Blues Run the Game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgY4GnLGsLQ&feature=related

[Brian]

Good stuff Bluesify – you’re pulling them out of the wood work.. love it. Never heard of Jackson C Frank but I like it.

[Rickey]

Actor Jim Byrnes (Highlander, Xmen) has written some great tunes…and plays/sings great too!

Walking Stick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzKUNLg1zTI&feature=related

Walk On Boy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkJvot38VvE&feature=related

[Author]

Posts