What does your essential singer-songwriter/folk list look like?

Tom Rush
Phil Ochs
Joni Mitchell
Janis Ian
Billy Bragg
Tom Paxton
Eric Bogle
Bob Dylan
Bert Jansch

Colin Meloy
Megan Slankard
Jeff Campbell
and a duo
Quiles and Cloud

James Taylor
Jim Croce
Simon and Garfunkel
That one song by Harry Chapin
Neil Young

John Denver ( such a prolific and amazing songwriter !)

Peter, Paul and Mary

Crosby, Stills and Nash (and Young)

The Beach Boys

The Kingston Trio

Carole King (Her Tapestry album is an absolute MUST HAVE )

Cat Stephens

Woody Guthrie

Bob Dylan

The Weavers

The McGarrigles (Kate McGarrigle is the mother of Rufus Wainright)

Dan Fogelberg

Pete Seeger
The Limelighters
(I love the McGarrigles and was just listening to them on YouTube several nights ago.)
Stan Rogers

@gailcalled

Yeah, they weren’t a huge smashing commercial success but they had such solid skills and musical ability. I’m not always fond of everything put out by Rufus, but there’s no denying the apple didnt fall far from the tree.

I loved him on the Shrek Soundtrack record. ( Hallelujah) and his piano playing is so good.

For those of you with long memories, here’s Dan Fogelberg’s wonderful tribute to his Father (who was a real life H S. music teacher and band leader.) and for those too young to have heard it first time around, enjoy:
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http://youtu.be/qsocZrEcp0Y
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We all forgot Joan Baez.

Oh, you’re absolutely right.

And Judy Colllins as well. She had such a crystal clear quality to her voice. Just like a bell. Incredible.

@dxs

”...that one song by Harry Chapin…”
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Is this the one yoru meant ?
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http://youtu.be/KUwjNBjqR-c
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And as long as we’re talking about iconic songs here’s CSN
(With Jerry Garcia on pedal steel guitar) classic

http://youtu.be/M_hYdywoV_Q
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And a turn by The Byrds (but written by Pete Seeger back in the 50s)
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http://youtu.be/v9ZAEXoXNTQ
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Johnny Cash was a man from Tennessee who covered many genres of music but he should be rightfully called a folk singer.

I thought of Joan BAez and Judy Collins but I think of them somewhat less as songwriters than folksingers although they did each write their own songs too.

@Buttonstc Yes. I have a limited knowledge in music, especially stuff that was made before I was born.

Great lists above. But it’s too easy to leave out some greats eg. Odetta