I was listening to James Taylor preforming in concert with just his voice and his guitar and was struck with the fact that the music was so "complete". I wonder if you can name other artist that are so good solo. John Mayer comes to mine. Stevie Ray Vaugh had so much going on that if the base player and drummer dropped out, I'm not sure we would notice. How about Elton John and the piano? One singer and one instrument- who shines?
John Prine. I also like Beck when it's just him, an acoustic guitar, and a harmonica.
Good question Sam!
ANYONE can perform as a solo act in front of a crowd who came to see THEM...But to do it in front of 5,000 fans of someone else who just want you to get off stage so the Main Act can start?
I agree, with all my heart, with Robert J. Elisberg in his HuffPost Entertainment column form 2008:
"As wonderful as Steve Goodman is on record, he was better in concert, where his ingratiating personality exploded. One time, I saw him at the Universal Amphitheatre, opening for Steve Martin at the peak of the comic's stand-up career. Now, you must understand, this is when people showed up with toy arrows in their heads, reciting his album monologues by heart, shouting "Excuuuuuse me...." every other word. The last thing they wanted to see was any opening act, let alone a short, balding, cherubic folk singer they'd never heard of. Moreover, the place seated 5,200, all jammed with stomping maniacs. It was a rock concert for a stand-up comic.
And throughout all this, Steve Goodman simply kept singing, telling stories and winning over the Martin Fanatics...to their utter shock. By the end of only his fourth number, a guy sitting in front of me - who had heard my running, Steve Goodman commentary to my date - spun around, his face wide-eyed with that shocked look of heavenly discovery, and shouted, "Who IS This Guy???!!!!! He's Incredible??!!!" By the end of Steve Goodman's set, this amphitheatre of 5,200 Steve Martin cultists were stomping and screaming for the other Steve, as well.
It should come as no surprise that Steve Goodman opened for Steve Martin over 200 times."...END QUOTE
One man, one guitar? Steve Goodman.
Here's one of his sillier ones, but it shows his vocals, guitar & personality:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY27TczetLI&feature=relatedMidnite
Steve Goodman's "My Old Man" is one of the most gorgeous, heart-felt songs I've ever heard. I would have loved to see him live.
I saw Leon Russell in Tulsa for a free birthday concert on the Arkansas River. There were bleachers on the bank and the stage was a barge at the end of a pier. Leon drove a golf cart down the pier to the stage and walked (with his cane) over to multiple keyboards set up in a semi-circle. He played the whole show alone. I don't know if Midi tracks were used back then, but he was able to perform all of his most popular songs with just his vocal and keyboards.
Steve Goodman's "My Old Man" is one of the most gorgeous, heart-felt songs I've ever heard. I would have loved to see him live.
Oh...And THIS one, which is a recording only. He's about to do "You never even call me by my name(in which he always borrowed a cowboy hat from someone in the audience)..On this occasion, all he gets from the audience is a motorcycle helmet.
Who needs a "set list"?!?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3WVT8gCmDkMidnite
I'll stop now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5xEY8JU16E&feature=relatedI sang this one a lot when the Millenia turned(both times)
Midnite
Steve was a gem. I was blessed to have picked with him many times, he came in to our band's album release party and sat in on an old cream color Telecaster. He picked it as well as he did the acoustic. One of the things he did so amazingly well was to play single note leads as a solo, yet not lose any of the audience. His musical lines insinuated the chord changes and, though often blisteringly fast, they never got cluttered or unfocused. Steve knew, I don't know, thousands of songs. He had an amazing memory. One night at the Amazing Grace Coffeehouse, I walked in and he launched into my song "The Medicine Show," that he probably only heard a few times.
Steve was all about the song. Jim Post tells a wonderful story about visiting him while in his final stay at the hospital. Steve asked him, "Jim? Would you sing me that song you wrote about the moon? My guitar is over there in the corner." Jim sang it and teared up a bit. When he finished Steve said, "Now give me that guitar." Steve had to move tubes and push himself up in the bed to hold it, then he told Jim, "Here's a song I just wrote." Here the guy was in his last days, still writing songs. Songs no one but maybe a few friends would hear. They wouldn't be demoed and pitched, they wouldn't get posted on a website, they wouldn't end up on Songramp. He just wrote them because that's what he did. He made music. God bless you, Steve, you were the greatest single act...ever.
Bob Schneider seems to stick out in mind when it comes to all the solo shows I have been to.
Goodman's "A dying Cubs fan's last request" is perhaps the greatest baseball song - next to "Take me out to the ball game" - ever written.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xBxZGQ1dJk
Me.
James Taylor is great, Elton John is even more impressive as is Billy Joel and a host of others. Stevie Ray & John Mayer while talented do not even make the list with either Elton or Billy
just on the songwriting factor alone. Actually not even on the guitar list.
But the answer your looking for is made easy with one word STEVIE!
NOBODY is better than Stevie Wonder and everybody who is GREAT knows it. What a nice feeling that must be
A few people individually are in his exact class or level lets say. Paul McCartney is one such individual who is.
I'm not talking about best for a year, best for a song, best fr a decade favorite style this or that.
I'm talking pure depth of talent. Lets add up the reasons why this is so..
Well what makes Stevie - Ray Charles to the tenth power?
And why he rises above so many greats including Michael or Elvis or any straight up musician in any genre?
1- He writes all is own songs LYRICS & MUSIC.
2- He's like a 4 Decade guy... Rare people do this, where they are relevant for multiple decades. Stevie massive hits from MOTOWN could have made him a star and stopped in the 60's.. And he be a LEGEND
But no he
OWNED the 70's one grammy after another in a period where being the best and winning often went hand in hand.
And that is a hell of decade to own as it is the strongest and richest in talent for pop music ever.. Just start thinking about the competition. Massive hits in the 80's as well and soundtracks... then rappers in the 90's making his songs into MASSIVE hits. Lifting his music and melodies. A few good solo albums in the 90's as well.
One Paul Simon who is GREAT!!! in every sense of the word thanked Stevie for not making album one year so he could get his Grammy
3- Do we need to have a #3?
He's a GREAT musician. His talent is DEEP depth is the key here, listen to Stevie play the drums.
Listen to INNER VISIONS as he performs all by himself.
He is a pioneer on keys and synthesizers, his early use of keyboard bass lines is phenomenal. Even when he wrote the lines and players play them instead. His harmonica? VERY versatile songwriter and musician. And a heck of producer...
He gets the utmost respect from every kind, Jazz players, Rappers, Rockers, EVERYBODY!
4- His VOICE! The most influential on R&B singers for decades to come.
Stevie is so good it's not even fair.. Thanks
Mike
If we are talking about pure voice... Barbra Streisand. She somehow managed (though effortlessly) to give importance and attention to not only every word but every syllable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuYFZXw4c6M&feature=player_detailpage
I just spent an hour listening to Steve Goodmen. I see why he opened for Stever Martin-he is very funny. His guitar playing is very good and he definately was in the moment. Maybe he sensed his time was short. I think I only knew him as a songwriter. Had he just written "City of New Orleans" he would be in my hall of fame. But he was a lot more. Thanks to Youtube, he lives again.
RIP 1948-1984
Thumbs up to Leo Kottke!
Also, my two favorite artists who just completely captivate me with only an acoustic guitar are Claudio Sanchez and Anthony Green. With their full bands behind them, they're amazing. But there's just something magical about it when they just strip the songs down to the core and it's just their voice, acoustic guitar, and pure emotion.
Claudio Sanchez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbyqWHBfr_UAnthony Green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KirRdaVuRRk
Thumbs up to Leo Kottke!
Also, my two favorite artists who just completely captivate me with only an acoustic guitar are Claudio Sanchez and Anthony Green. With their full bands behind them, they're amazing. But there's just something magical about it when they just strip the songs down to the core and it's just their voice, acoustic guitar, and pure emotion.
Claudio Sanchez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbyqWHBfr_UAnthony Green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KirRdaVuRRk
Andrew, are these friends of yours? I guess I don't hear what you are hearing. They both seem like local college kids.
We have dozens of them here on our TCU campus. One of them, Tim Halperin, was on American Idol. Here is his song and the music video produced in my department (Film Television and Digital Media)at TCU We edited this on Final Cup Pro and it played on the jumbo tron at the home coming game. He was asked to write a song to support Breast Cancer awareness. The students of FDTM shot and edited the video in HD. I am the television engineer for the department.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qbN7WJVhk8 Also some nice shots of our campus in this video. Halperin was a local sensation around the coffee houses on campus before he was tagged for AI.
They're hardly local. Claudio Sanchez is the frontman for the rock band Coheed & Cambria (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RFInOuksxM ), and Anthony Green fronts the band Circa Survive(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=635P03aWfmA ). I'll admit they're both very much acquired tastes. But I've just always been into stranger music genres.
But these two guys without a doubt are the biggest musical influences in my life at the moment. They both write music that just speaks to me on so many levels. Mayhaps it's just because I'm an offbeat kid myself haha
I think what moves people or what they like best has a HUGE factor in what they thinks best. Which makes total sense of course.
I have always been able to recognize good in things even if I don't like them. Also been able to separate what I was into and what was actually better in many or certain regards. When I was kid John Bonham was the greatest drummer in the world. Actually he was lol certainly one of the best if not thee best Rock drummer and super influential till this day.
But when I would boast that out loud my Uncle or Dad would bring up Gene Krupa or Buddy Rich. And I would say OH well yeah of course!! lol I mean Buddy Rich is the definition of drummer! So why I may like one better than another I still know who's best.
It's something you learn from listening to every kind of music you can and from every single decade and era there is.
Nice discussion.
And Al Jolson is still one of the best solo acts that ever lived. My Dad was right in thinking so.
He never got an argument from me.
i listen to and learn from all kinds of music...but i listen to a lot of guitar music..A LOT....but i do listen to mandolin, horns etc and learn from them and apply it to guitar...
but as far as song composition and the useage of scales and harmony etc....my favorite would have to be Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.....mainly about how they use the scales and harmonize with them and what chords they use them with and their techniques
although i do learn from other musicians, many others, as well
Mike,
hard to argue with Stevie Wonder. A ridiculous talent. I think that Joni Mitchell belongs in the conversation too. My pick though, is Richard Thompson. He was great in the 60s with Fairport, and he actually seems to be getting better every year. Talk about unfair!
Just voice and one instrument, naked?
I think that I'm gonna go with
Richard Thompson.
"1952 Vincent Black Lightning":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lCH5JgWCZY
Some of the utterly fantastic solo acts I've seen include John Hartford, Don Maclean, Claudia Schmidt, Leo Kottke, Mason Jennings, Bob Dylan and Neil Young...all of them absolutely riveting.
But Joni Mitchell...man, could she ever kick royal derriere, all by herself...
For Free
Mark, Wow, it blew me away when you added Claudia Schmidt to your list, she's an old friend from the Chicago scene. Great performer indeed!
Well Steve Goodman would be high on my list also. I don't really think you can simply name one best, but perhaps the one highest on my list is Fats Waller. He was an unbelievably skilled pianist, singer/songwriter/performer and one of my all time favorites.
I agree with Pop.
Richard Thompson off the top of my head.
Vic
Mark, Wow, it blew me away when you added Claudia Schmidt to your list, she's an old friend from the Chicago scene. Great performer indeed!
And a wonderful person too! I don't see her name so much these days, but I used to go see her all the time...she was "our" Joni Mitchell.
Oh yeah, but for most ENTERTAINING solo performer, I gotta go with:
Jonathan Richman"I Was Dancing In the Lesbian Bar""Everyday Clothes"A JoJo show is more than a show, it's a party, with Jonathan as your host.
There are no such thing as a best artist. There are those who touches us as human beings and there are those who's not. Every performance is dependent on mood, time, place, occasion, company ect. all of which has an influence on how we relate to what we hear.
I would differentiate between artists and performers as well. Artists makes art, which is something of the world for the world, while performers primarily entertain.
But of course we can use threads like these to flash our tastes, and (re)group accordingly.
Hi Sir Samuel and fellow JPFrs:
You asked, "Who is..." but there have been so many in the past that are no longer with us. Nat Cole comes to mind... then there was Jack Jones... and "Old Blue Eyes" was pretty awesome. Then to be fair to the ladies... Ella Fitzgerald and Julie London were in a class unto themselves.
Golly, we've been blessed with a legion of great vocalists.
Dunbar, thanks for sharing that story about Steve Goodman. That really tugs at my heartstrings.
My best to all of you,
Dave
Bryan Adams and Keith Scott.
What an awesome duo?
Keith Scott has played for a lot of artists but I like him playing for/with Bryan Adams
I saw dan fogelberg solo in the 70s, just him guitar and piano...fabulosity ! Bryan Adams was great alone ... Shawn Mullins is also GREAT alone !
I too feel that there are so many that stand out--through 60 years of listening, I have a long list of FAVS:
Frankie Lane--MULE TRAIN
Julie London--CRY ME A RIVER
Jimmy Reed --BIG BOSS MAN
Howlin' Wolf--BACK DOOR MAN
Frank Sinatra--GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
Tennessee Ernie Ford--SIXTEEN TONS
Ray Charles--WHAT'D I SAY
Johnny Rivers--SECRET AGENT MAN
James Taylor--MEXICO
Nanci Griffith--ONCE IN A VERY BLUE MOON
Buddy Guy--FEELS LIKE RAIN
THERE ARE SO MANY, I CAN'T TYPE ANYMORE………….
Mackie
Nina simone : excellent pianist and a thrilling voice, to me. Ray charles, the same! James Talylor with his guitar, and Nick Drake whit his Guild, he was great. Joni mitchell is good good but I think she uses to record overdubbing, so when you listen to the album you find quite better (that's to say absolutely 'perfect') fingerpicking work.
ops... sorry Bob, I forgot you!!!!! ;-)
When you say solo, I assume you mean one person alone on a stage with a voice and instrument. In addition to James Taylor, they would be Roger McGuinn, Richard Thompson and Tommy Emmanuel, all of whom I have seen recently so I know they are still kicking!
There are some great younger people too but time will tell if they hold up.
Golly,
Luciano Pavaretti,
Placido Domingo
Bevery Sills.
Oh, did you mean Country/Pop?
Johnnny Mathis
Gogi Grant,
Hank Snow
Webb Pierce
Carl Smith
Faron Young
Marty Robbins
George Jones
Johnny Cash, And More.
Ah ya know I didn't even think of it that way, One person performing on the stage.
I thought "Best Artist" best at writing/singing/playing instruments/producing/performing/innovative/successful.
That's why I said "Stevie Wonder" easier, the other way is far harder for me to pin down like that. And again more of a favorite
thing then.
Your favorite or best "Entertainer" someone could say Madonna isn't she a solo artist so was Tiny Tim
Regardless, if I was thinking "best" I would always separate
Ones who - Sing Only, Play & Sing, Play,Sing & Write. Makes sense...
I mean I sat 10 feet from George Benson and nobody I have ever seen played & sang better.. But he doesn't write. (Thank goodness)
Actually, I'll throw in votes for Kurt Fortmeyer, M.A.B,and Joanne Lurgio while I'm at it...
Easy question for me.....without a doubt Dan Fogelberg. Nobody could tell a story like Dan, an incredible songwriter, consummate musician, and a voice of an angel. I was fortunate to see Dan many times and got to spend a little time with him on several occasions. Dan passed away almost 3 years ago but will never be forgotten. Men, get screened for the cancer that took him.
Saw him several times with just him and his guitar/piano and he held thousands spellbound for hours each time.
R.I.P. Dan....
Just to add to an already fabulous list..
Chris deBurgh
Jason Mraz
Paul Simon
Dar Williams
Tom Waits,
John Martyn,
Joni Mitchell,
Neil Young,
Ry Cooder,
Marc Ribot,
Johny Cash,
Paul Simon,
Ali Farka Toure,
and many more,
but above all, at least for me:
SON HOUSE
I went to see a Stevie Ray Vaughn concert a very long time ago in Arizona and Gregg Allman opened for him. Yes, he did have a couple other musicians on stage with him, but he blew me away!
+1 on Goodman.
Here are a couple of my favorites, one man, one guitar.
Chris Smither.And here's another tune,
Lola.Chuck Brodsky. Take It Out Back and Great baseball songs too.
Actually, I'll throw in votes for Kurt Fortmeyer, M.A.B,and Joanne Lurgio while I'm at it...
Thanks, Bob!
I'll take Bob Dylan with his harp and acoustic anytime!
Great artists here. I really am enjoying listing and revisiting artists that I have not heard for a while. Hard to choose but I will take Nancy Griffith.
Tom
Can't believe no one mentioned the late Gerry Rafferty, Awesome musician and very soulful, not the best probably, but who can forget songs like Baker Street and Right down the line...?
Oh and hello all you JPF's
Derek
aKa
tHaT gUy
did Rafferty do a solo act? When I think of him I think of fantastic arrangements and orchestration. I don't even know what he played. What was his instrument? Didn't he do most of his creative work editing his music in the studio?
Probably, but so did quite a few of other people mentioned no?
Most of the guys mentioned did play a lot with bands, but the general idea was that we're talking about solo acts, I think, and all of them did do a lot of solo gigs or maybe parts of the gig standing in front of the audience alone with their instrument...
Probably, but so did quite a few of other people mentioned no?
Heya Derek, good to see ya again! And yeah, a lot of the responses have, ummm, "expanded" on Samuel's original question. I think that solo "performer" would have been a better word choice, but far be it from me to offer an unasked for rewrite:-)
So, for clarity's sake, from Samuel's first post:
"....How about Elton John and the piano? One singer and one instrument- who shines?"
Midnite
Well I am not certain if he was a solo artist in that sense of the word, I think he composed all the music, I think his main instrument was guitar, but either way I think he has left a lasting impression on music,