The Best Storytellers

Al Stewart-Roads To Moscow,Nostradamus, and so many others.

 

Bruce Springsteen -- Just about every song.

Here are some my favorites:

Racing in the Street
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Wreck on the Highway
Matamoros Banks

Jeff

 

Chuck Berry - underrated as a lyricist. All of his songs are stories about things that happen to people. Had a way of turning the unique phrase as well ('hurry-home drops on her cheeks')......

 

The late, great Jim Croce would get my nomination.

 

see avatar.

 

Tom T. Hall
Doc Watson
Hank Williams

and many more...

 

Tom Waits gets my vote.

 

I'd have to say Tom Waits. One of very few artists whose lyrics I even pay any attention to.

 

Harry Chapin
Tom Waits
I can agree with John Prine below as well

 

Hank Williams, Tom T. Hall, John Prine, I can go on and on and on and...

 

Is that Dylan? I was about to suggest him.

 

Nobody comes close to Dylan.
''but these five are pretty good''

Richard Thompson
Joni Mitchell
Townes Van Zandt
James McMurtry
John Prine

 

Tom Waits, Costello (love when he grabs a story, like on Sulky Girl or Party Girl), Colin Meloy of the decemberists...

 

Kris Kristofferson

 

Hands down .....Todd Snider

 

Van Morrison can tell some good story's!

Also, Tom Rush.

 

Michael Nesmith

 

I like his earlier stories better than his later ones

Seconded.

 

Besides Chuck Berry and Bruce Springsteen whow were already mentioned I would say Ray Davies. It was fitting that the Storyteller series was named after his shows of the same name.

 

John Stewart

 

Not to mention his live performances, with the late 70's versions of "Growin' Up" heading the list.

"There I was......."

 

You better you bet.

 

Number one with a bullet:

 

Two underrated ones:

-Chris Difford from Squeeze
-Will Sheff from Okkervil River

 

Johnny Cash

Willie Nelson

Lou Reed