I have always loved the passion poured into the music by the really great singer/songwriters.I know there are some great singers and great songwriters,I want to focus on the great artists that do them both so well.My choices:

Chuck Berry-have you ever really listened to the lyrics of songs such as "Maybelline" or "Johnny B.Goode"

Marvin Gaye-"Let's get it on" and "What's Going On" are amazing works by one of the most gifted songwriters ever.

Bob Dylan-to call his music Folksy or protest music is to completely miss the point.

Bob Marley-How many people have been touched by his songs around the world.When you think of reggae music you think of him first.

Stevie Wonder-Listen to "Talking Book"when you have an open mind and be taken away to a some place special.

Neil Young-so much great music has come from this artist,it's difficult to comprehend

Bill Withers-Think "Lean on Me" or "Ain't No Sunshine".

Paul Simon-Who doesn't know all the words to "Bridge Over Troubled Water".

Bonnie Raitt-you have to listen, but the lyrics are always moving.

Donny Hathaway-possibly the most moving combination of songwriting and singing.A great writer with an amazing gift of a voice.


Others that come to mind:
BB King-

Little Richard-

Mick Jagger

John Lennon

Paul Mcartney

Sting

Lauryn Hill

Eric Clapton

Bruce Spingsteen

Jimi Hendrix

Robert Johnson

Otis Redding

Sam Cooke

Curtis Mayfield

Carly Simon

Carole King

Joan Armatrading

More...

Bono
Matthew Good
Gord Downie
Thom Yorke (now with an E
Edward Kowalczyk
Mark Forrest
Raine Maida

oh...and Tim Boothe

Nick Drake

Thom Yorke <- E

i second thom yorke and nick drake, and most of tuberoller's picks

add to that:

bjork
connor oberst (bright eyes)
john lee hooker
elliot smith
cat stevens (though he is a very very troubled individual...)
ani difranco
gene clark

elvis costello
randy newman
joni mitchell
bob dylan

are missing so far...

Mark

Maynard James Keenan

I don't see Pete Townshend on the list so far. He didn't do much singing with the Who, but his solo stuff proves that he can do so. Kind of out of favor right now, though....

Nick Drake
Matthew Good
Beth Gibbons (Portishead)
Bob Dylan
Thom Yorke (Radiohead)
Lauryn Hill
Sarah Slean
Jeff Tweedy (Wilco)
Hawksley Workman

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen...sort of like Lennon and McCartney, you really don't know...
Jackson Browne
Dan Fogleberg
Aimee Mann
Gordon Lightfoot
Jim Croce
I can think of more....

Three more
Steve Earle
Lucinda Williams
John Hiat

Think the people that cover their songs are more well known than they are. Too bad.

Sarah McLachlan... at least Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is a great album.

Quote:



Is it not often the troubled artists which provide us with the greatest works.

Maybe I missed him, but what about James Taylor?.......he brought the singer/songwriter to the forefront in the early 70s. And he's still goin' strong.
Tim Hardin was another great singer/songwriter........anybody remember him? Wrote "Lady Came From Baltimore."

How could I have forgotten:

Muddy Waters

Howlin' Wolf

Buddy Guy

Willie Dixon

Michael McDonald

Shuggie Otis

Nat King Cole

Prince-or any of his recent incarnations

Nina Simone

Van Morrison-my wife slapped me on the head for missing that one.

Solomon Burke

Mel Torme