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Chicago Folk Music Examnier - Gary Tuber
Gary first became interested in folk music in the early 60's, when his older brother came home from college with Gibson/Camp and Limeliter albums. Tuber produced the popular Second Sunday concert series, and continues to be an avid folk junkie.
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Next ArticleChicago Folk Music Examiner Top ten songwriters redux
April 18, 5:21 PM · 1 comment
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Remember the parameters: this is my list, obviously skewed towards songwriters with whom I am the most familiar. There are certainly others who deserve to be on the list, but, by definition, it had to stop at 10. An "honorable mention" list will follow soon.
Number 10: Bob Dylan expanded the folk music market through his highly successful songs, either sung buy him, or covered by others. Often considered the voice of the 60's anti-war protest movement.
Number 9: A Chicago favorite. Bob Gibson was an inspiration to all of the folk songwriters and performers to follow, including Gordon Lightfoot and Bob Dylan. Bob wrote about all topics, from relationships, to history, to political commentary, to religious songs.
Number 8: He's what poets evolved into. Gordon Lightfoot was one of the great wordsmiths, and he did it over and over, and with great commercial success, in addition to artistic success.
Number 7: He left us wanting more. Phil Ochs was the real voice of dissention and youthful thought of the 60's. His words ring true today, and probably always will.
Number 6: Mailman makes good. John Prine found his muse while walking a mail route, and has spent the last 4 decades telling us how he feels about the world.
Number 5: Kid from the "hood." Steve Goodman was the whole package - great musician, wonderful singer and performer, and a prolific writer, including "the best damned train song ever." Go, Steve, Go. He'd love the Cubs of today.
Number 4: The Energizer bunny. From that Marvelous Toy to chronicles of the Iraq War, Tom Paxton keeps on making us think, and keeps us entertained while doing it.
Number 3: Roots of the Roots. Delta Blues man Huddie Ledbetter brought blues to the folk movement of New York, and influenced all those who came after.
Number 2: Quintessentially prolific: Michael Smith adds quanitity to his consistent quality. He can write to any level of humor, irony, or seriousness (is that a word?), and continues to do so.
Number 1: "Ground Zero" of folk songwriters: Woody Guthrie all but invented the idea of writing and singing new songs about the political climate and the plight of the "have nots." Everybody sings Woody's songs, even those of us who can't sing.
Author: Gary Tuber