most underated song writer

[copilotmusic]

of Fleetwood Mac

[dragonworks]

Justin Haywood.

[Chriss]

Originally posted by nave
Tom Waits......(not really underrated..but maybe most overlooked)

yeah. i second that..

[P Hallin]

Your right Nave, overlooked.

Otherwise I say Dr John. Just listen to the album Anutha Zone

[mikeh]

Tom Waits for sure. I also agree that Tom Petty writes good songs.

[Buffalo Bob]

The reason Tom Waits was overlooked is because of a PUBLISHING COMPANY! Back in '72 he signed with a company in LA, who sat on his songs for several years because he wouldn't play their game. His most productive (and sober) writing period was stolen by some company twit.
He was also great as Renfield in Bram Stoker's Dracula!

Bob

[badgas]

I think Chris Shaeffer has done some awesome lyrics on a few of his songs.
The story he tells doesn't give the whole song away, for the most part, as some song critics would like. Something for the listeners imagination is nice. Whether he wrote his songs with that in mind, I have no idea.
He's one guy who's stuff I respect and would like to see make it in the songwriting business.

Also, when the lyrics blend with the music, it creates a fuller story. Music in it's self can change a mood, let the mind and soul drift around, etc. When the two, lyrics and music, come together in a marriage, so to speak, that's when, in my opinion, the songwriter has succeeded in capturing the listener.

[MarkT]

Tom Waits
Lou Reed
Joan Armatrading
Chris Whitley

[jojojeronimo]

I second Peter Green...

Black Magic Woman, The Green Manalishi, Man of the World, and Oh Well.

Too bad he was lost. But that gave way for Lindsey Buckingham to be found...

But Peter was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame with Lindsey and Santana (ie coverer of Black Magic Woman), so in the end he was rated alongside these less overlooked peers... which was neat.

[analog4]

Tom Waits---absolutely--Dr. John--Fred Eaglesmith--
How 'bout Tom Northcott outa' Vancouver--Dylan even covered
one of his tunes(Girl from the North Country--Nashville Skyline)
Jimmy Rankin--I also respect Steve Winwood for being able
to re-invent himself over and over...and last but not least
Robbie Robertson--A canadian who writes Americana with the
best of 'em..