As far as singer-songwriter albums, I would have to include Cat Steven’s Tea for the Tillerman album (1970). Father & Son, Hard Headed Woman, Wild World; so much gold there. “All the times I tried, keeping all the things I knew inside, it’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it”
Jackson Browne : Where the touch of the lover ends And the soul of the friend begins There's a need to be separate and a need to be one And a struggle neither wins
Hello Tony great, show! Trying to keep guitar routine while having cancer. It is tuff some days and others better. I really like Alanis Morisette lip Jagged Little Pill Acoustic version. I know some people are saying that doesn’t count but it does. She was the first to say that a woman can make tuff lyric calls to go on each track . She really put herself out there. Have a great week! Look forward to your next video.
For me, its gotta be The Paul Simon Songbook. "as I watch the drops of rain, weave their weary paths and die i know that I am like the rain there but for the grace of you Go I"
I feel like most singer/songwriters see the world around themselves in a totally different way than the rest of us mere mortals. When you listen to your favorite song and/or singer you listen because it speaks to you emotionally on some level. They would not be so amazing and inspirational if everyone could do the same thing. I admire and applaud all of them for their unique vision! 🙂
Prime Prine. “When I die let my ashes float down the Green River, let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam. I’ll be halfway to heaven with paradise waiting, just 5 miles away from wherever I am.”
Jim Croce in my opinion is one of the greats as far as lyricists as well. 'Hello mama and dad, I had to call collect 'cause I ain't got a cent to my name. I'm sleeping in a hotel doorway tonight because it's gonna rain But if you'd only send me some money, I'll be back on my feet again. Send it in care of the Sunday mission, box number 10' Sarah Jarosz is quickly approaching fantastic as well. She's great already.
Simon and Garfunkel Bookends (1968), song "America". Quote "Let us be lovers, we'll marry our fortunes together." Paul Simon, a true bard. As always, another great Acoustic Tuesday.
Saw Jason Isbell playing "The Last of My Kind" solo on a resonator on RUclips - "Sidewalks dirty and the river's worse; underground trains all run in reverse; nobody here can dance like me; everybody's clapping on the one and the three". Isbell writes some outstandingly inciteful lyrics, although not a typical acoustic-only singer/songwriter.
Great list! I love Nick Drake. Another fantastic acoustic singer/songwriter album is Jackson C. Frank’s self-titled from 1965. Nick even did a couple of covers of Jackson’s, like “Milk and Honey” and (I believe) “Here Come the Blues”. Amazing versions.
David Gates (Bread) Everything I Own : Is there someone you know You're loving them so But taking them all for granted You may lose them one day Someone takes them away And they don't hear the words you long to say
Great show Tony. I want to thank you for including Nick Drake. I totally missed knowing about him until recently. We need to give a voice to a person who figuratively had none , as he suffered from depression which ultimately claimed him. Trying to play his songs opens sonic doors. His lyrics sometimes take you to dark places
Everyone has their own top ten. For me... Harvest Neil Young Veedoon Fleece - Van Morrison The New Folk Sound of - Terry Callier Nashville Skyline - Bob Dylan Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying - Labi Siffre
My list almost matched your's perfectly. I'm an old lady, around when those first two albums were released. lol. Thank you for the introduction to Jeffery Foucault! One you missed and may not know is Stan Roger's the album "Fogarty's Cove" The song: Fourty-Five Years has the most beautiful descriptive lyric I've ever heard. "Where the earth shows it's bones of wind broken stones and the sea and the sky are one..." He had me at that opening line and it only gets better from there. This was the song that made me want to learn to play guitar so that I could share this song with anyone who had never heard it before. Stan wrote songs about people. He had a way of putting you right inside of a life you had never lived and he let you see through that person's eyes. Examples of these type of songs include "Lies", "Field Behind the Plow" and for the Hockey Fans out there, check out the song "Flying" from the album "From Fresh Water"
A fairly recent one is the album Purgatory by Tyler Childers. One standout song among many (or even all of them) is Honky Tonk Flame. The line that keeps resonating in my head for a good while is: Still on the road 'cause I ain't good for nothin' Except writin' the songs that I sing Beating them strings like they're owin' me money And chasing that honky tonk flame
Artist: Jackson Browne Album: For Everyman Song: These Days Lyrics: " Don't confront me with my failures I had not forgotten them" Thanks you so much, Tony.
Wow what a great video! I agree and love each and every album you referenced. Each one is packed full of amazing song writing and honestly the other albums by the artists also scratch my songwriters itch. Some of my favorite songs/albums that you didn’t include, understandably as there is so much out there these day, would have to be : September Doves by Lost Dog Street Band; Hide and Seek by Billy Stings; Life’s on Fire by Mapache (they’re a great duo); Follow the Water by Calexico & Iron and Wine. I could honestly go on for days! Keep up the great videos!
Hi Tony! Just over 2 year TAC member, and been watching Acoustic Tuesday most of that time! The singer/songwriter folks are the ones I really resonate with, and I figured I'd give you my entry for your list this week: An album that arrived around the time I picked up my guitar after over 27 years is: "Southeastern" by Jason Isbell All songs are great, but the one: "Songs That She Sang In The Shower" (which you really don't need to go further than the title!) contains a line: "... and the church bells are ringing for those who are easy to please; and the frost on the ground probably envies the frost on the trees". Jaw-dropping line.
This is a tough one. Most inspirational singer songwriter acoustic album. The vast majority of my music collection is country. The vast majority of that collection is Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. But the single most influential abut was one I discovered after I was married and it does not fit the above mentioned category. The most influential album for me was Christian song writer and singer Don Francisco and his live acoustic album. When I heard the opening lines of the first song, I knew I was listening to something I was not used to hearing "Though it's hard to describe how my life used to be, to someone who's always been able to see. Though I wasn't unhappy or bitter that way, everything's changed since I met Him that day". This album forever changed the courses of what would be my musical journey in multiple ways. I had just started writing gospel songs but did not know how to play an instrument. This album got me started. Don Francisco had several songs on the 1984 album with songs(starting with this this first song) that tell stories from the Bible that were in the first person point of view of one of the people in the Bible story. That blew my challenged mind. Secondly was the acoustic sounds I was in to the electric telecaster phase shifter sound of Waylon (and still am) and had not paid much attention to other styles of picking. This album taught me about the beauty of picking patterns on an acoustic guitar and also introduced me to the chorus pedal and reverb. So I got a cheap acoustic and started to learn chords and to finger pick. I started writing my own songs from Bible stories in the first person point of view and learned to play the songs I had already written. To this day, I only write gospel songs and many of them are first person point of view of people in Bible stories. I listen mostly to secular music but never have written a secular song. I play acoustic and electric and to this day, the three most influential artist on my music are Don Francisco, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. I even wrote a gospel song about that.
Thank for this! For me Josh Ritter’s “Fever Breaks” from 2019 was such a gut punch. When my sons ask me about what the times were really like, they need only listen to that album.
My list would have to include Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around with Jim," Gordon Lightfoot's "Don Quixote," and Carole King's "Tapestry" (OK, not a guitar album), but the one I am going to highlight is: Don McLean's "American Pie" Song: "Empty Chairs" (which inspired the writing of the song "Killing Me Softly with His Song") Lyrics: "Empty rooms that echo as I climb the stairs Empty clothes that drape and fall on empty chairs." OK, I've decided to do two. The other is Tracy Chapman's debut self-titled album Song (again no guitar -- a Capella): "Behind the Wall" Lyrics: "Last night I heard the screaming Then a silence that chilled my soul I prayed that I was dreaming When I saw the ambulance in the road ..."
Can't resist throwing in one more by a less well-known artist, Lisa Fraser's "Midday Songs" Song: "Jack Frost" Lyrics: "The woman sitting next to you has tight white fingers and red palms From holding on to keep from slipping down"
Where in the world is John Denver’s BACK HOME AGAIN? “…love as just the thing that he was raised on, love was just the way he lived and died. Love is just a Kansas country wheat field…” “You fill up my senses like a night in a forest, like a mountain in springtime, like a walk in the rain.”
Todd Snider: Album: Hard Working Americans......"we don't leave who we fell for, we leave who we can't believe they have become". lyric from Roman Candles
"Empty Chairs" by Don McLain on the American Pie album I feel a trembling tingle of a sleepless night Creep through my fingers and the moon is bright Beams of blue come flickering through my windowpane Like Gypsy moths that dance around a candle flame
Tony- the reason I picked up the guitar in the first place was Our Endless Numbered Days by Iron & Wine. That was my reason at age 12 and my brother got me my first guitar so I could learn “Naked As We Came.” I still play it because it’s forever one of my favorite songs along with “Sunset And Soon Forgotten.” Otherwise, it was Ben Howard’s album Every Kingdom that inspired me after that, particularly his song “Old Pine” which I learned by ear. Also - you MUST check out Anna Tivel if you haven’t already. One of the greatest up & coming singer-songwriters today. It’s like reading a fantastic novel listening to her songs and haunting beautiful voice.
Jackson Browne! Any singer/songwriter/guitar player list that doesn't include him is meaningless. He's the guy. Fantastic lyrics. Amazing structures to his songs, and some very nice guitar playing
Great show Tony! Thanks for all the new artist suggestions. I experienced my first Tommy Emmanuel show last evening, Tommy is so amazing its unreal, With him was Andy McKay, If you don't know Andy's work I suggest you check him out. I was completely in amazement, what an artist.
Guess being a little older, I have a different perspective, and really hard to pick specific lyrics from specific albums, but I'll narrow down to two: Really, any of Bob Dylan's songs , but "Tangled Up In Blue" from "Blood on the Tracks: "But me, I'm still on the road, Heading for another joint, We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue" Al Stewart's "Past, Present, and Future" though probably best known for "Roads to Moscow", I'm going with "Old Admirals": "Now just like you I've sailed my dreams like ships across the sea, And some of them they've come on rocks, and some faced mutiny, And when they're sunken one by one I'll join that company, Old admirals who feel the wind, and never put to sea"
Higher Truth by Chris Cornell. It’s so vivid. Favorite lyrics: -But you had a touch as cool as rain And only once the weather changed Murder of blue skies
Two come to mind immediately and it is impossible for me to select one over the other. Greg Brown's "Dream Cafe" album and Chris Smither's "Live as I'll Ever Be". For Dream Cafe I would highlight the song Spring Wind (Lyrics: "I lived awhile without you, Darn near half my life. I no longer see our unborn children, Born to you my unwed wife. But yesterday I had a vision, Beneath the tree where we once talked, Of an old couple burning Their love letters so their children Won't be shocked." For "Live as I'll Ever Be", I would highlight "No Love Today" but when I take the lyrics out of context they lose their luster. "The Devil's Real" is more quotable: "They told me I was breaking through, I was breaking down, By the time I learned the difference they had long left town." New to guitar at age 50 and new subscriber to TAC and I am so glad I joined. Your enthusiasm is infectious and your focus on being able to "play guitar" from even the first and most basic lessons makes this whole journey fun instead of another chore. Thank you.
Thanks Tony I never heard of I'll Be Here In The Morning (Townes Van Zandt) pretty cool song. Donovan The Hurdy Gurdy Man jennifer juniper. Shawn Phillips is the Master of Singer-Songwriter Second contribution whole album awesome (Woman) She was waitin' for her mother, "The Ballad of Casey Deiss,"Steel Eyes & Whaz' Zat ?, All of Shawn Phillips album are Great . Shawn Phillips is a 1000 times better then Bob Dylan
Laura Marling - I speak because i Can I used to play strumming songs, standard tune. But since i listened to her album it changed the way i play and i enjoy more playing guitar. She play in alternate tunings, most fingerstyle songs, and the songs are beautiful. Some of her songs are strumming not quite acoustic or just the guitar but the alternate tuning gives some different view to the song. I first learned Rambling Man, then What he wrote. My favourite song of that album is Goodbye England. :)
I am working right now, so can’t really watch the video and be distracted, but I downloaded that Spotify playlist so fast and pretty sure I will be looping it in the background for the rest of the day … 😂
Favorite singer song writer is Chris Shaffer of the The Why Store. He often plays acoustically when performing live. Fav lyrics from his song Broken Glass: There's always something, more I can see There's always something, something more I can be There's always something more I can say There's gonna be a better life for me I'm gonna find it someday, yeah!
I'm surprised you didn't list anything by Charlie Parr. I know you love his music, like I do. For me, the finest lyricist I've ever heard is John Moreland.
Some nice observations. Songs impact people in their own special way. Respectfully, If you don't have any John Prine songs in your top ten you aint got nothin'. i.e. "Paradise", "All the Best", etc. I wouldn't be able to narrow a most impactful ten songs, but it was nice to hear yours, just the same. Joni might be slotted for one though. Peace my friend.
Martin Sexton, specifically the song "Freedom of the Road." I started listening to him when I was leaving my life in Colorado for college in Los Angeles, and listened to him even more during my combat tours in the military. Also, the album's title track "Black Sheep" is one of my favorites to this day. All in all, Mr. Sexton has a special place in my heart, and he's my #1 singer/songwriter. If you haven't, please do check him out!
A great singer songwriter from long ago is Richie Havens. One of the beautiful songs from his debut album Mixed Bag, released in 1966, is Morning, Morning (written by Tuli Kupferberg!). Here's a nice line: "Moonshine, moonshine, dots the hills with grace, and the glory of the shining breaks my simple pace." He has a unique voice and style of guitar playing. Check it out if you're not familiar. Peace.
In the spirit of sharing lyrics I like this one from Townes Van Zandt from High Low and in Between: Days, up and down they come Like rain on a congadrum Forget most, remember some But don't turn none away Everything is not enough And nothin' is too much to bear Where you been is good and gone All you keep is the getting there To live is to fly Low and high So shake the dust off of your wings And the sleep out of your eyes
May be common knowledge, but I heard the joni Mitchell wrote circle game in response to neil young's sugar mountain. Listen to them back to back and it makes sense
So many songs to say that changed me. Let’s go with Justin Rutledge album: No Never Alone, song: Too sober to sleep. Lyric: “damn my liver when it’s thirsty, damn my Wallet when it’s empty, too sober to sleep, I’m too drunk to cry.
I loved the show but was surprised that there was no mention of Gordon Lightfoot. My first introduction was the album Did She Mention My Name (1968). the song that profoundly grabbed me with every word was 'the Last Time I Saw Her' the lyric/verse that painted such a sad picture was the last of the song; "The last time she kissed my cheek, Her lips were like the wilted leaves Upon the autumn covered hills, Resting on the frozen ground, The seeds of love lie cold and still, Beneath a battered mocking stone, It lies forgotten" (Disclaimer, I do tend to gravitate to sad, moody songs and melodies.) Nothing of Tori Amos; Album; Under the Pink song 'Cornflake Girl'; the first words of the song always make me laugh; "Never was a cornflake girl, Thought it was a good solution, Hanging with the raisin girls" ... Or Alanis Morrissette; Album; Jagged Little Pill, song; "perfect"; the lyrics to the entire song... but the last line "We'll love you just the way you are, If you're perfect" Guess I better end this whale of a post. I think I'll try to see if I can make a list of my favorite 10 best singer song writer Albums 5 of your top 10 will be on my list.
I would add Colter Wall Imaginary Appalachia I love the lyric in the song Sleeping On The Blacktop, “Three dead in a crash on the number 4. Two witnesses below and up high. Not sure whose will be done you can call me a sinner for wonderin’ why
One of my favorite singer songwriter albums is from an unknown indie artist from NYC. His name is Brian Dunne, and the album is "The Timber House Sessions". It's fantastic...give it a listen, you can thank me later
First of all, Joni and Dylan have to be one and two, somehow. James Taylor can't be lower than four or five. I think this was YOUR personal journey, not a serious attempt to discuss the singer-songwriter trend and the art that came out of it. No Paul Simon? No acoustic Neil Young? Gordon Lightfoot? Maybe one great disc from Bruce Cockburn? Tell me why Johnny Cash isn't a singer-songwriter. Ditto for Dolly Parton.
Blood On The Track/ Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan. Early one morning, the sun was shining I was laying in bed Wondering if she'd changed it all If her hair was still red Her folks, they said our lives together Sure was gonna be rough They never did like mama's homemade dress Papa's bankbook wasn't big enough And I was standing on the side of the road Rain falling on my shoes Heading out for the east coast Lord knows I've paid some dues getting through Tangled up in blue
I'm not saying they aren't all fine albums, all I'm saying is, if they're your favorites, you need to broaden your horizons 'cause you've obviously missed out on hearing a LOT of good music...
As far as singer-songwriter albums, I would have to include Cat Steven’s Tea for the Tillerman album (1970). Father & Son, Hard Headed Woman, Wild World; so much gold there. “All the times I tried, keeping all the things I knew inside, it’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it”
Jackson Browne :
Where the touch of the lover ends
And the soul of the friend begins
There's a need to be separate and a need to be one
And a struggle neither wins
Hello Tony great, show! Trying to keep guitar routine while having cancer. It is tuff some days and others better. I really like Alanis Morisette lip Jagged Little Pill Acoustic version. I know some people are saying that doesn’t count but it does. She was the first to say that a woman can make tuff lyric calls to go on each track . She really put herself out there. Have a great week! Look forward to your next video.
Get well soon 🤞tc
Hang in there Nancy and keep fighting!!
For me, its gotta be The Paul Simon Songbook.
"as I watch the drops of rain, weave their weary paths and die i know that I am like the rain there but for the grace of you Go I"
I feel like most singer/songwriters see the world around themselves in a totally different way than the rest of us mere mortals. When you listen to your favorite song and/or singer you listen because it speaks to you emotionally on some level. They would not be so amazing and inspirational if everyone could do the same thing. I admire and applaud all of them for their unique vision! 🙂
Prime Prine. “When I die let my ashes float down the Green River, let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam. I’ll be halfway to heaven with paradise waiting, just 5 miles away from wherever I am.”
Jim Croce in my opinion is one of the greats as far as lyricists as well.
'Hello mama and dad, I had to call collect 'cause I ain't got a cent to my name.
I'm sleeping in a hotel doorway tonight because it's gonna rain
But if you'd only send me some money, I'll be back on my feet again.
Send it in care of the Sunday mission, box number 10'
Sarah Jarosz is quickly approaching fantastic as well. She's great already.
Simon and Garfunkel Bookends (1968), song "America". Quote "Let us be lovers, we'll marry our fortunes together." Paul Simon, a true bard. As always, another great Acoustic Tuesday.
Saw Jason Isbell playing "The Last of My Kind" solo on a resonator on RUclips - "Sidewalks dirty and the river's worse; underground trains all run in reverse; nobody here can dance like me; everybody's clapping on the one and the three". Isbell writes some outstandingly inciteful lyrics, although not a typical acoustic-only singer/songwriter.
Love your Townes Van Zandt choice! One of the best songwriters in my opinion!
Great list! I love Nick Drake.
Another fantastic acoustic singer/songwriter album is Jackson C. Frank’s self-titled from 1965.
Nick even did a couple of covers of Jackson’s, like “Milk and Honey” and (I believe) “Here Come the Blues”. Amazing versions.
That album is fantastic! So stark, I feel it influenced Pink Moon.
ye and blues run the game
David Gates (Bread) Everything I Own
:
Is there someone you know
You're loving them so
But taking them all for granted
You may lose them one day
Someone takes them away
And they don't hear the words you long to say
Great show Tony. I want to thank you for including Nick Drake. I totally missed knowing about him until recently. We need to give a voice to a person who figuratively had none , as he suffered from depression which ultimately claimed him. Trying to play his songs opens sonic doors. His lyrics sometimes take you to dark places
Damien Rice O might be my number one. Made me go out and get an acoustic guitar.
I’m not usually invested in these things, but Elliott Smith has to be on this list, surely. Probably deserves his own episode 😂
Tony thanks so much for making every day inspirational!!😊💜🎸
Everyone has their own top ten. For me...
Harvest Neil Young
Veedoon Fleece - Van Morrison
The New Folk Sound of - Terry Callier
Nashville Skyline - Bob Dylan
Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying - Labi Siffre
I just tuned my guitar to open d for the first time
I hope you love it as much as I do. I have a separate guitar I keep in open D.
Neil Youngs Harvest , any song on that album. I was 13
My list almost matched your's perfectly. I'm an old lady, around when those first two albums were released. lol. Thank you for the introduction to Jeffery Foucault! One you missed and may not know is Stan Roger's the album "Fogarty's Cove" The song: Fourty-Five Years has the most beautiful descriptive lyric I've ever heard. "Where the earth shows it's bones of wind broken stones and the sea and the sky are one..." He had me at that opening line and it only gets better from there. This was the song that made me want to learn to play guitar so that I could share this song with anyone who had never heard it before. Stan wrote songs about people. He had a way of putting you right inside of a life you had never lived and he let you see through that person's eyes. Examples of these type of songs include "Lies", "Field Behind the Plow" and for the Hockey Fans out there, check out the song "Flying" from the album "From Fresh Water"
Tony thanks for making every day inspirational!🎸🥳🌸
A fairly recent one is the album Purgatory by Tyler Childers. One standout song among many (or even all of them) is Honky Tonk Flame. The line that keeps resonating in my head for a good while is:
Still on the road 'cause I ain't good for nothin'
Except writin' the songs that I sing
Beating them strings like they're owin' me money
And chasing that honky tonk flame
Artist: Jackson Browne
Album: For Everyman
Song: These Days
Lyrics: " Don't confront me with my failures
I had not forgotten them"
Thanks you so much, Tony.
Great show, as always. Really enjoy the new segment on TAC’s Tuesday lessons.
Wow what a great video! I agree and love each and every album you referenced. Each one is packed full of amazing song writing and honestly the other albums by the artists also scratch my songwriters itch. Some of my favorite songs/albums that you didn’t include, understandably as there is so much out there these day, would have to be : September Doves by Lost Dog Street Band; Hide and Seek by Billy Stings; Life’s on Fire by Mapache (they’re a great duo); Follow the Water by Calexico & Iron and Wine. I could honestly go on for days! Keep up the great videos!
Hi Tony! Just over 2 year TAC member, and been watching Acoustic Tuesday most of that time! The singer/songwriter folks are the ones I really resonate with, and I figured I'd give you my entry for your list this week:
An album that arrived around the time I picked up my guitar after over 27 years is: "Southeastern" by Jason Isbell
All songs are great, but the one: "Songs That She Sang In The Shower" (which you really don't need to go further than the title!) contains a line: "... and the church bells are ringing for those who are easy to please; and the frost on the ground probably envies the frost on the trees". Jaw-dropping line.
This is a tough one. Most inspirational singer songwriter acoustic album. The vast majority of my music collection is country. The vast majority of that collection is Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. But the single most influential abut was one I discovered after I was married and it does not fit the above mentioned category. The most influential album for me was Christian song writer and singer Don Francisco and his live acoustic album. When I heard the opening lines of the first song, I knew I was listening to something I was not used to hearing "Though it's hard to describe how my life used to be, to someone who's always been able to see. Though I wasn't unhappy or bitter that way, everything's changed since I met Him that day". This album forever changed the courses of what would be my musical journey in multiple ways. I had just started writing gospel songs but did not know how to play an instrument. This album got me started. Don Francisco had several songs on the 1984 album with songs(starting with this this first song) that tell stories from the Bible that were in the first person point of view of one of the people in the Bible story. That blew my challenged mind. Secondly was the acoustic sounds I was in to the electric telecaster phase shifter sound of Waylon (and still am) and had not paid much attention to other styles of picking. This album taught me about the beauty of picking patterns on an acoustic guitar and also introduced me to the chorus pedal and reverb. So I got a cheap acoustic and started to learn chords and to finger pick. I started writing my own songs from Bible stories in the first person point of view and learned to play the songs I had already written. To this day, I only write gospel songs and many of them are first person point of view of people in Bible stories. I listen mostly to secular music but never have written a secular song. I play acoustic and electric and to this day, the three most influential artist on my music are Don Francisco, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. I even wrote a gospel song about that.
Thank for this! For me Josh Ritter’s “Fever Breaks” from 2019 was such a gut punch. When my sons ask me about what the times were really like, they need only listen to that album.
My list would have to include Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around with Jim," Gordon Lightfoot's "Don Quixote," and Carole King's "Tapestry" (OK, not a guitar album), but the one I am going to highlight is:
Don McLean's "American Pie"
Song: "Empty Chairs" (which inspired the writing of the song "Killing Me Softly with His Song")
Lyrics: "Empty rooms that echo as I climb the stairs
Empty clothes that drape and fall on empty chairs."
OK, I've decided to do two. The other is Tracy Chapman's debut self-titled album
Song (again no guitar -- a Capella): "Behind the Wall"
Lyrics: "Last night I heard the screaming
Then a silence that chilled my soul
I prayed that I was dreaming
When I saw the ambulance in the road ..."
Can't resist throwing in one more by a less well-known artist, Lisa Fraser's "Midday Songs"
Song: "Jack Frost"
Lyrics: "The woman sitting next to you has tight white fingers and red palms
From holding on to keep from slipping down"
Hi Tony. I think Roy harper the sophisticated beggar released in the 60s is a favourite of mine. There are many stand out lyrics.
Where in the world is John Denver’s BACK HOME AGAIN? “…love as just the thing that he was raised on, love was just the way he lived and died. Love is just a Kansas country wheat field…” “You fill up my senses like a night in a forest, like a mountain in springtime, like a walk in the rain.”
Todd Snider: Album: Hard Working Americans......"we don't leave who we fell for, we leave who we can't believe they have become". lyric from Roman Candles
"Empty Chairs" by Don McLain on the American Pie album
I feel a trembling tingle of a sleepless night
Creep through my fingers and the moon is bright
Beams of blue come flickering through my windowpane
Like Gypsy moths that dance around a candle flame
Tony- the reason I picked up the guitar in the first place was Our Endless Numbered Days by Iron & Wine. That was my reason at age 12 and my brother got me my first guitar so I could learn “Naked As We Came.” I still play it because it’s forever one of my favorite songs along with “Sunset And Soon Forgotten.” Otherwise, it was Ben Howard’s album Every Kingdom that inspired me after that, particularly his song “Old Pine” which I learned by ear. Also - you MUST check out Anna Tivel if you haven’t already. One of the greatest up & coming singer-songwriters today. It’s like reading a fantastic novel listening to her songs and haunting beautiful voice.
Jackson Browne! Any singer/songwriter/guitar player list that doesn't include him is meaningless. He's the guy. Fantastic lyrics. Amazing structures to his songs, and some very nice guitar playing
First time getting to join Acoustic Tuesday and not watching a previous recorded episode.
Great show Tony! Thanks for all the new artist suggestions. I experienced my first Tommy Emmanuel show last evening, Tommy is so amazing its unreal, With him was Andy McKay, If you don't know Andy's work I suggest you check him out. I was completely in amazement, what an artist.
Guess being a little older, I have a different perspective, and really hard to pick specific lyrics from specific albums, but I'll narrow down to two:
Really, any of Bob Dylan's songs , but "Tangled Up In Blue" from "Blood on the Tracks: "But me, I'm still on the road, Heading for another joint, We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue"
Al Stewart's "Past, Present, and Future" though probably best known for "Roads to Moscow", I'm going with "Old Admirals": "Now just like you I've sailed my dreams like ships across the sea, And some of them they've come on rocks, and some faced mutiny, And when they're sunken one by one I'll join that company, Old admirals who feel the wind, and never put to sea"
Higher Truth by Chris Cornell.
It’s so vivid.
Favorite lyrics:
-But you had a touch as cool as rain
And only once the weather changed
Murder of blue skies
I’m a big fan of Brian Fallon, Dave Hause, Chuck Ragan and Frank Turner. Love the show! Guitar nerds unite 🤘🏻
Also Jeff Black...B-sides and confessions album is amazing and really introduced me to the power of lyrics and storytelling.
Two come to mind immediately and it is impossible for me to select one over the other. Greg Brown's "Dream Cafe" album and Chris Smither's "Live as I'll Ever Be". For Dream Cafe I would highlight the song Spring Wind (Lyrics: "I lived awhile without you,
Darn near half my life. I no longer see our unborn children, Born to you my unwed wife. But yesterday I had a vision, Beneath the tree where we once talked, Of an old couple burning Their love letters so their children Won't be shocked." For "Live as I'll Ever Be", I would highlight "No Love Today" but when I take the lyrics out of context they lose their luster. "The Devil's Real" is more quotable: "They told me I was breaking through, I was breaking down, By the time I learned the difference they had long left town."
New to guitar at age 50 and new subscriber to TAC and I am so glad I joined. Your enthusiasm is infectious and your focus on being able to "play guitar" from even the first and most basic lessons makes this whole journey fun instead of another chore. Thank you.
Thanks Tony I never heard of I'll Be Here In The Morning (Townes Van Zandt) pretty cool song. Donovan The Hurdy Gurdy Man jennifer juniper. Shawn Phillips is the Master of Singer-Songwriter Second contribution whole album awesome (Woman) She was waitin' for her mother, "The Ballad of Casey Deiss,"Steel Eyes & Whaz' Zat ?, All of Shawn Phillips album are Great . Shawn Phillips is a 1000 times better then Bob Dylan
Laura Marling - I speak because i Can
I used to play strumming songs, standard tune. But since i listened to her album it changed the way i play and i enjoy more playing guitar.
She play in alternate tunings, most fingerstyle songs, and the songs are beautiful. Some of her songs are strumming not quite acoustic or just the guitar but the alternate tuning gives some different view to the song.
I first learned Rambling Man, then What he wrote.
My favourite song of that album is Goodbye England.
:)
I am working right now, so can’t really watch the video and be distracted, but I downloaded that Spotify playlist so fast and pretty sure I will be looping it in the background for the rest of the day … 😂
Lovely sounding guitar.
What about Richard Thompson? Vincent Black lightning or Beeswing and about 100 others. An absolute master guitarist and song writer.
Paul Curreri "Songs for Devon Sproule". A beautiful album with stunning finger style guitar work and original song writing.
Favorite singer song writer is Chris Shaffer of the The Why Store. He often plays acoustically when performing live. Fav lyrics from his song Broken Glass: There's always something, more I can see
There's always something, something more I can be
There's always something more I can say
There's gonna be a better life for me
I'm gonna find it someday, yeah!
I'm surprised you didn't list anything by Charlie Parr. I know you love his music, like I do. For me, the finest lyricist I've ever heard is John Moreland.
Some nice observations. Songs impact people in their own special way. Respectfully, If you don't have any John Prine songs in your top ten you aint got nothin'.
i.e. "Paradise", "All the Best", etc.
I wouldn't be able to narrow a most impactful ten songs, but it was nice to hear yours, just the same. Joni might be slotted for one though. Peace my friend.
Train to Jackson- Jeffrey Foucult....the ghost repeater album is amazing.
Martin Sexton, specifically the song "Freedom of the Road." I started listening to him when I was leaving my life in Colorado for college in Los Angeles, and listened to him even more during my combat tours in the military. Also, the album's title track "Black Sheep" is one of my favorites to this day. All in all, Mr. Sexton has a special place in my heart, and he's my #1 singer/songwriter. If you haven't, please do check him out!
A great singer songwriter from long ago is Richie Havens. One of the beautiful songs from his debut album Mixed Bag, released in 1966, is Morning, Morning (written by Tuli Kupferberg!). Here's a nice line: "Moonshine, moonshine, dots the hills with grace, and the glory of the shining breaks my simple pace." He has a unique voice and style of guitar playing. Check it out if you're not familiar. Peace.
In the spirit of sharing lyrics I like this one from Townes Van Zandt from High Low and in Between:
Days, up and down they come
Like rain on a congadrum
Forget most, remember some
But don't turn none away
Everything is not enough
And nothin' is too much to bear
Where you been is good and gone
All you keep is the getting there
To live is to fly
Low and high
So shake the dust off of your wings
And the sleep out of your eyes
May be common knowledge, but I heard the joni Mitchell wrote circle game in response to neil young's sugar mountain. Listen to them back to back and it makes sense
So many songs to say that changed me. Let’s go with Justin Rutledge album: No Never Alone, song: Too sober to sleep. Lyric: “damn my liver when it’s thirsty, damn my Wallet when it’s empty, too sober to sleep, I’m too drunk to cry.
* wallet when it’s dry. I shouldn’t comment when I’m 😴
Hank Williams “ Alone With His Guitar” album. Just hank, his guitar, and his songs. It’s fantastic
I loved the show but was surprised that there was no mention of Gordon Lightfoot. My first introduction was the album Did She Mention My Name (1968). the song that profoundly grabbed me with every word was 'the Last Time I Saw Her' the lyric/verse that painted such a sad picture was the last of the song; "The last time she kissed my cheek, Her lips were like the wilted leaves Upon the autumn covered hills, Resting on the frozen ground, The seeds of love lie cold and still, Beneath a battered mocking stone, It lies forgotten" (Disclaimer, I do tend to gravitate to sad, moody songs and melodies.)
Nothing of Tori Amos; Album; Under the Pink song 'Cornflake Girl'; the first words of the song always make me laugh; "Never was a cornflake girl, Thought it was a good solution, Hanging with the raisin girls" ...
Or Alanis Morrissette; Album; Jagged Little Pill, song; "perfect"; the lyrics to the entire song... but the last line "We'll love you just the way you are, If you're perfect"
Guess I better end this whale of a post.
I think I'll try to see if I can make a list of my favorite 10 best singer song writer Albums 5 of your top 10 will be on my list.
Lucinda Williams Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Ya know you're getting old when an album released approx 20 years ago was "recent."
I would add Colter Wall Imaginary Appalachia I love the lyric in the song Sleeping On The Blacktop, “Three dead in a crash on the number 4. Two witnesses below and up high. Not sure whose will be done you can call me a sinner for wonderin’ why
blood on the tracks, hands down, open E tuning dylan all the way
Is a chapter book 📖 and an album 💿 same from each other or different from each other
Darrell Scott is the best. Great album, behind “Long Ride Home.” I’ve learned a lot from that guy
🔥🤘🏼
Iron and wine 😍😍😍😭
One of my favorite singer songwriter albums is from an unknown indie artist from NYC. His name is Brian Dunne, and the album is "The Timber House Sessions". It's fantastic...give it a listen, you can thank me later
Try Mandolin Orange, one more down, great new music.
One more: Richard Julian - great album with great lyrics: "Good Life."
Jackson Browne and Dan Fogelberg? Just sayin...
Paul Simon, Live Rhymin'
Give Shawn Mullins Souls Core A Listen through.
all the songs are awesome but Streets of london is a standout
First of all, Joni and Dylan have to be one and two, somehow. James Taylor can't be lower than four or five. I think this was YOUR personal journey, not a serious attempt to discuss the singer-songwriter trend and the art that came out of it. No Paul Simon? No acoustic Neil Young? Gordon Lightfoot? Maybe one great disc from Bruce Cockburn? Tell me why Johnny Cash isn't a singer-songwriter. Ditto for Dolly Parton.
The Suzuki School produces 3-year-old concert violinists. Is that physically possible with a dreadnought?
As for the Manzer guitar, you may have heard of Pat Metheny? ruclips.net/video/SWAyf3Ywyeo/видео.html
You had me until you mentioned CDs. Dude, CDs compress the crap of a recording. Ya gotta have vinyl.
Can you use a digital receiver and what speaker to buy these days?
I like guiater.... 😳
check out Ralph Mctell Spiral Staircase
John Prine
Why songs have to start from beginning to end?
Focus on lyrics and no Leonard Cohen? No Paul Simon, Don MacLean, Bill Withers? And for more recent artists Daniel Kahn, Damen Rice, Tracy Chapman.
Blood On The Track/ Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan.
Early one morning, the sun was shining
I was laying in bed
Wondering if she'd changed it all
If her hair was still red
Her folks, they said our lives together
Sure was gonna be rough
They never did like mama's homemade dress
Papa's bankbook wasn't big enough
And I was standing on the side of the road
Rain falling on my shoes
Heading out for the east coast
Lord knows I've paid some dues getting through
Tangled up in blue
Lp not liP
I'm not saying they aren't all fine albums, all I'm saying is, if they're your favorites, you need to broaden your horizons 'cause you've obviously missed out on hearing a LOT of good music...