What musician is the best story teller? (Show of the Week)?

Question

This is week 13 of my Show of the Week (1/4th of a year!), if you missed the first few, there are links on my profile. I am going to try to post one free to download show a week, ideally from a different band every week. I am going to aim for Thursdays. I hope to include various genres and try to get shows of good sound quality (but might make the occasional exception for a classic show).

This weeks show:
Tom Waits, July 29, 2008

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92916923

Tom Waits is one of the most innovative performers out there. He mixes blues, jazz, rock, folk and theatre effortlessly. A true original the kind of which the music business sorely needs more of.

This is a minor format change for the show of the week as this one came from NPR's All Songs Considered instead of Archive.org, if this is your first time to check out my Show of the Week you should check out Archive.org. Anyone who doesn't know NPR very well should know that All Songs Considered is a pretty decent show, it can be very hit or miss, but they are known to play some really interesting stuff from time to time. 

MQ: What musician do you think is the best story teller?

MQ2: How do you like the show?

Regwah · Accepted Answer

Well yeah I don't know who would top Tom Waits & really I can never pick the best of anything "What's your favourite colour" stumps me every time.
This is a great show, I could learn much by tuning to it & this category. 
I could do with some musical education, the challenge is a great idea as well, all the best with that. 

I'm Australian & I like Nick Cave for his story telling.

Hard to choose a link, this song was the first one that came to mind, it contains course language & adult concepts so be warned.
Stagger Lee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEDAdAg5Pok
Dig, Lazarus, Dig.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kV5XkBQsKU
Bring it on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elaHaLl8T1k&feature=related
God Is In The House
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBWf-yUG6Fw

Anonymous · Answer

ma: I think Bob Dylan is the best storyteller that I have heard. I would have never known about Hezekiah Jones, Davey Moore, or Naomi Wise if it wasn't for Dylan.

ma2: I have never listened to Tom Waits but I had heard good things about him. He is one of Isaac Brock's favorite musicians. When I started the concert, his voice threw me off a little. It was definitely not what I expected. I like the idea of his music and it is like nothing I have ever heard, but his music is just not for me. At least I know kind of what i'm talking about when I someone brings up Tom Waits(like that will ever happen in my high school filled with people who love anything that plays on Charlotte's #1 Hit Music Station). 


ba: I haven't really practiced but I am going to do a very basic version of "Wil

Teaim · Answer

The obvious choice is Dylan. Tangled Up in Blue alone is a great testimony for his story telling. When you write great songs, with great stories in them, it makes it possible to be great.

I really like Tom Waits mid 1970's era, when he was like a Charles Bukowski at the piano. He has continued to change and keep sincere. I think Waits is a true artist with true motivation. Thank God for him. I'm looking foreword to hearing that concert you posted. Thanks.


PS-You might like another show that's on the NPR website. Kurt Rosenwinkel's band was recorded at the Vanguard back in January. WBGO (who I can't stand) originally aired the show. I wish WKCR had there budget. 
Anyway, I figured it might be worth bringing your attention to it.

Anonymous · Answer

When I saw your question I thought to myself "well this is a really easy question to answer, it has to be tom waits by a mile." then I saw that you had tom waits down and a smile came to my face.  The guy is unrivaled in terms of creating characters and locations, weaving tales of lowlives and other street folk and seedy bars and old apartments.  my favorite piece of storytelling from him is "small change", it is such a well done song that its ridiculous.

BQ: yeah I was planning on trying to enter something but I am really busy, finals week is next week so I dont have much spare time.  If you could give me like a few weeks then I might be able to do it.

Anonymous · Answer

No love for Arlo???? John Sebastian? John Hartford? John Prine? Kris Kristofferson? Nancy Griffith?

PJ · Answer

Kick effing azz, Wire! Great choice on Waits. Going to go listen now.

*edit*

'Took me a while to get back here. That was a long dang show! And it was absolutely fantastic. As always, thanks for posting your shows. 

MQ1- After listening to the show, I have to go with Tom. i hadn't heard much live stuff of his, so his in between song banter was a new experience for me. He told some great stories and jokes.

peter gunn · Answer

well since I fell in love with the guys music a few weeks back I have to go with seasick steve
specially the ones he tells at the end of each of his cd's are brilliant.  if you imagine that all of the stories he tells are things that happened in his real life you really dig where the man is coming from.

Stan · Answer

Ray Davies of the Kinks, who has an album out called "Storyteller," and who had the orignal idea of storyteller on which the TV show was based.

Beatle fanatic · Answer

I'll have to check out some of your other shows.
I've always liked Tom Waits.

MQ - Harry Chapin was very good at it.
MQ2 - Listening now, good so far (too bad there's no video).

^glen^magnific^ ^mufflerdent^ · Answer

David Holt. 
Because, that is what he do. No crap I'm tellen you.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=107080534

Good to hear about the progress. and I can't get my Ford Mustang from Last.fm anymore.

[EDIT]  OH shoot. gotta shout for Johnny Cash too.

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What musician is the best story teller? (Show of the Week)?

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