I just find it funny that we call them singer/songwriters, the term is generally used to describe someone who gets up and sings their own songs with a guitar. Neosupervital writes his own songs but people usually don't refer to him as singer/songwriter. Ah, I'm just being grumpy and pedantic (again). Agree about Aimee Mann, an underrated talent if ever there was one. Bob Dylan the best? I prefer Donovan myself...

Sean Keane is my fave Irish one at present, theres just too many to choose from though. Keane is fairly funny though, they have to take the pi55 a bit for me to be able to appreciate their craft. Steve Earle then is prob one of the bravest, of them all in terms of the western world's lot at present. It's a great thing to have in a country though. One of the best, well my favorite, Irish new comers is a guy from Galway called Eoghan Burke. think he is on eoghanburke.com.

I must say I perfer Neil Young To Bob Dylan any day. also like Magnet from Norway and if he's considered a singer/songwriter. Beck - funky!!

Neil Young is probably the only singer songwriter I've ever really liked. And I definitely agree Karlito, I think he's way better than Bob Dylan. Then again I've never been much of a Dylan fan.

There's a great album that I picked up in HMV recently by Terry Reid. Apparently he was offered the lead vocals gig in led zepplin, or whatever their first name was, and he turned it down. His album "seed of memory" is excellent. I reckon my all time favourite singer songwriter has to be Van Morrison though

While I didn't mention greats like Neil Young and Van Morrison, I'm still big fan of theirs. Other notable legends of this genre (if it is a genre) are Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, David Bowie, Dr. John, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris....I could go on and on. But what about the upcoming singer/songwriters? Who should we mark down to watch out for? I reckon Jenny Lindfors is a rare talent, Jeff Martin is impressive, Colm Lynch, Mike Errico, Brendan O'Shea have all proved themselves during live performances recently. I'm always open to discover new artists so all recommendations are welcome.

I've seen a woman called Sabrina Donlan play a couple of times, I think she's from Galway. She's really good and well worth looking out for. And I agree with Gar on Brendan O'Shea, he's miles better than his mate Mark Geary as well.

Would you put John Martyn and Jeff Buckley in the singer/song writer category? If so, I guess they'd be my choices. Johnny Cash anyone?

i think we're getting confused between solo artists and singer songwriters.

And the difference is?...

a singer songwriter is a solo artist. but a solo artist is not necesarily a singer songwriter.

True, but at what point does a Solo artist become a Singer songwriter? I don't see any artist listed above that doesn't write at least some of their own material

No Lou Reed ? Shame on y'all As for Hammell on Trial... He is to Lou Reed what The Sopranos is to The Godfather. Good but not great Best Jules

Lou Reed is great, but I much prefer the Velvet Underground to his solo stuff.

The two lads that run the open mic night in the pale, Brian McGovern and Fiach, are two to watch out for I think

My personal faves: Jackson Browne Van Morrison Nick Drake Jeff Buckley Patty Griffin Leonard Cohen Carole King PJ Harvey Ryan Adams Sarah McLachlan Tim Buckley Some up-and-coming: Songs:Ohia (Jason Molina) http://www.songsohia.com/ Damien Jurado http://www.damienjurado.com/ Kid Dakota (Darren Jackson) http://www.kiddakota.com