Storytelling songwriters

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Maurice Bursztynski, Dec 1, 2014.

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  1. Maurice Bursztynski

    Maurice Bursztynski Drummer, Singer, Podcaster. Thread Starter

    Location:
    Melbourne
    Hello, I'm new at this forum so forgive me if this question has been asked.

    I'd be interested to know who are people's favourite storytelling songwriters and why. Two of mine are Richard Thompson and Paul Kelly. They both know how to evoke emotion and mental imagery in the listener with a well told story - When I hear "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" by Thompson or "Deeper Water" by Kelly, I have a film running through my head, and no matter how many time I hear these songs, I feel the same emotions - mark of great songwriters.
     
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  2. rjp

    rjp Senior Member

    Location:
    Ohio
    springsteen used to, haven't seen him in quite a while so i don't know if he still does.

    crosby - but only when it's solo or with nash or CPR, never with CSN.

    j.d. souther - told some good ones too!

    jackson browne - also very interesting stories during the solo shows, not so much when he has a band.
     
  3. David Bostock

    David Bostock Forum Resident

    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Dan Fogelberg
     
  4. cc--

    cc-- Forum Resident

    Location:
    brooklyn
    James McMurtry -- great regional detail.
     
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  5. beep

    beep Senior Member

    Location:
    Virginia
    Harry Chapin
     
  6. vamborules

    vamborules Forum Resident

    Location:
    CT
    Jonathan Richman
     
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  7. davmar77

    davmar77 I'd rather be drummin'...

    Location:
    clifton park,ny
    John prine is quite good at it.
     
  8. davmar77

    davmar77 I'd rather be drummin'...

    Location:
    clifton park,ny
    Bob Dylan and Paul simon would have to be mentioned. They practically invented that style.
     
  9. Gary

    Gary Nauga Gort! Staff

    Location:
    Toronto
  10. papatwo

    papatwo Abiding Member

    Location:
    Easley, SC, USA
    Harry Chapin was a great storyteller. Check out his "Taxi" album for an incredible collection of stories.
     
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  11. MadCajun

    MadCajun Forum Resident

    Gordon Lightfoot ...
     
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  12. Gary7704

    Gary7704 Chasing that sound….

    Location:
    New Jersey
    Peter Gabriel
     
  13. papatwo

    papatwo Abiding Member

    Location:
    Easley, SC, USA
    Oops...make that "Heads And Tails" not "Taxi". :doh:
     
  14. RobCos02330

    RobCos02330 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Mass
    Most definitely! Both in songwriting AND during live shows. Check out his Greatest Stories Live album. Wonderful sense of humor along with some heartfelt songwriting-that was sometimes great. He clearly loved what he did as it shows on this particular live album.

    As an aside, a friend of mine went to a show and related a story to me about Chapin being late for a concert. When he finally arrived, he admitted in all honesty that he couldn't stop watching a pro football game on television (don't remember who) and apologized. The crowd loved it. He went on to play a three hour show to make up for it.
     
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  15. Sill Nyro

    Sill Nyro Forum Resident

    Dolly Parton - I can relate to many of her stories.

    John Prine - He tells some funny stories.
     
  16. JohnnyQuest

    JohnnyQuest Forum Resident

    Location:
    Paradise
    James Brown.
     
  17. videoman

    videoman Senior Member

    Location:
    Lake Tahoe, NV
    Don McLean
     
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  18. Ash76

    Ash76 Wait actually yeah no

    Colin Meloy of The Decemberists
     
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  19. john greenwood

    john greenwood Senior Member

    Location:
    NYC
    Not sure if they invented them. They've been around for 100s of years.
     
  20. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    Gordon Lightfoot!
     
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  21. cc--

    cc-- Forum Resident

    Location:
    brooklyn
    I think of Dylan more as a poet than a storyteller, though he can do either. Likewise with Lou Reed.
     
  22. realgone

    realgone Forum Resident

    Location:
    Singapore
    Josh Ritter
    Will Sheff of Okkervil River
     
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  23. noname74

    noname74 Allegedly Canadian

    Location:
    .
    Robert Earl Keen
    Guy Clark
    Townes Van Zandt
    Joe Ely
    Glen Campbell
     
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  24. redfloatboat

    redfloatboat Forum Resident

    phil lynott often wrote lyrics that really sprang up images in the listener's mind. he was actually well known for that.
    freedom song is one i like. also fool's gold.

    would nilsson be in this category too?
     
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  25. dajokr

    dajokr Classical "Mega" Box Set Collector

    Location:
    Virginia Beach, VA
    I second the vote for Springsteen, at least in the early days. The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle needs to be taught in literature classes - kind of like a series of loosely-linked urban short stories. Incident on 57th in particular is a masterpiece - "Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night..."
     
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