Singer/Songwriters

There's enough pared-down brilliance on this singer/songwriter list to keep the world's buskers in business through this century and beyond. Quite simply, all these artists demonstrate feats of musical alchemy using the simple base ingredients of voice and guitar. We chose every track on this collection to showcase individual genius at its most affecting.

The mark of the greatest singer/songwriters is a voice that can be confused with no other, a sound as unique and distinct as a skylark in a meadowful of jackdaws. Whether it's the crushing sadness of Joni Mitchell, the clarion yearning of Emmylou Harris or the sophisticated laid-back dudeness of Leonard Cohen, each towering talent leaves you a sliver of their soul.

Just so you know that the great Bob Dylan was not the first word in folk-pop, we've slipped in some Loudon Wainwright III. Along with Alanis Morissette's caustic "Ironic" there's Ryan Adam's love letter to "New York, New York". Next to the plaintive sigh of Jewel's "Who Will Save Your Soul" there's the gospel-inspired "Wastin' Time" by Ron Sexsmith.

It's a mighty long road (in years) from Tim Hardin to Ed Harcourt, but a heartbreakingly beautiful one. If you're not crushed, picked up, dusted down, uplifted and inspired by our selection of geniuses who seem to float effortlessly on the lava of pop but somehow avoid spontaneous combustion, then we throw in the towel. From Nick Drake's timeless huskiness to the rockin' country of Gram Parsons and the staunch folkdom of Sandy Denny, here's a list to cry for.