Richard Thompson would be god like if he was "only" a songwriter. But in addition his acoustic guitar playing is incredible - better than most specialised acoustic players, his electric lead guitar playing is in a different class to 99% of the rest (Eric look and learn), his songs are of course fantastic (how many hit singles has and grammys has he won? Did you know he won bluegrass song of the year he other year fos the Del McCrory version of "Vincent Black Lightining"?) and his singing, though a weak point for some, is great too to my ears. As well as the Fairport/solo stuff his "Grizzly man" soundtrack - apparently recorded in a day - shows the ambient/atmospheric brigade how to do it. Truly a master.

Actually I'd add Rory Gallagher - obviously a great guitarist, again like RT a great acoustic player (he was a hot bluegrass player for example), slide player, as well as a spot of sax or mandolin to taste, and a nice songwriter in the pretty limiting blues rock field. Not a GREAT voice but a usable one, but on the other hand a great live performer and a lovely humble and decent bloke. Perfect.

...ticks all the relevant boxes.

....as his dad cannot really sing as singing is defined. yes, yes, we love it, but.
Paul Simon, before shotness set in can sing and write and strum fairly well. Jackie Leven, Ian McNabb, Glenn Tillbrook (tho' better in tandem, as a songwriter, than alone), Gerry Rafferty, Sandy Denny, Chris Leslie, Clive Gregson, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Brady. All come to mind fairly effortlessly. All are amongst my favourite songwriters who sing and can play a bit. Did Chet Baker write his own stuff?

...Jeff Lynne (*ducks and runs for cover*)

A great singer (and harmony singer), multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer (albeit with 'Marmite' style of production) and of course songwriter. Also happens to be hated by nearly everyone who cares about music, for reasons that I have never been clear about.

Roy Wood is another strong contender by coincidence, who is more popular than Jeff perhaps because he called it a day as an artist a long time ago?

The man can do everything (apart from act, and see over a medium sized wall). It's true he hasn't made a great album in years but I firmly believe that you can pick at least one great track from any of his records.

I thought of Roy and binned him, thinking of Fire Brigade amongst others. And Jeff Lynne, ye gods, deserves minus points for his multi-tracked echolalia, following every line he squeezes out, like a constipated lennon.

...he's clearly a huge talent and the odd ELO tune I find appealing ('Telephone Line', 'Mr Blue Sky' and the delightfully daft 'The Diary Of Horace Wimp') but his production style I'm less fond of- that massive drum sound in particular. As for Roy Wood, well, I loved The Move- such an underrated band.

I'd have gone for someone like Paul McCartney too. A master of melody and his last few albums prove he's still got it, a great vocalist and musician too.

No argument. Can add lots of other qualities to those listed in the original post. For me it's also Neil, but I know that some people don't like his singing.

Only one Richard Thompson answer !!!!,This is The Word magazine Blog,Isn't it? c'mon RT fans this is your dream posting.

No one has mentioned John Martyn yet! Great guitar player, great songs, and a great singer too. QED. Can I have my prize now?

you are so wrong re messrs Leven and McNabb - both are accomplished guitarists and also great lyricists. McNabb IMHO is the most underrated artist in this country - if the population at large jettisoned their cloth ears he would be SS Great Britains second in command behind RT.

3 distinctly different albums. Great Guitarist. Beautiful songs.
One of a kind voice. You can always tell the greats they spawn so many mediocre copycats.

Innovative guitarist, pianist, singer, songwriter, arranger, in a jazz, folk, pop, rock, or orchestral style. And peerless lyricist (well, not any more obviously, but back in the day ...).

And for a bonus point, can come round and paint your living room too if required.

The best Jackie Leven albums are probably Defending Ancient Springs and Fairytales for hardmen.
Having seen him live I know he can play the guitar pretty well but in fairness he is more acclaimed as a songwriter and raconteur. If you get the chance to see him live you will be equally as impressed by his ability as a stand up comedian as you will be his singing.

Ian McNabb on the other hand is just an awesome talent - his guitar playing is best heard on Head like a rock which is the album part made with Crazy Horse. A really melodic guitar solo features on his song Misty Meadows from Waifs and Strays which also contains the immaculate song Not lost enough to be rescued.
Best of all however is the limited edition double cd of outtakes and rarities called Boots - his version of Wont get fooled again is pretty impressive. Record Collector states this cd is now changing hands for up to £200. Anyone want to offer me a monkey?

I met Joni Mitchell many years ago, and she couldn't have been more delightful or friendly (and many members of the Joni Mitchell Discussion List have reported similar experiences). She even told me and my similarly besotted friend we could go to the press night of the painting exhibition in Broadgate the following week. Good paintings too. She is a consummate artist.

RT is a shoo-in in this category, especially as his singing has, for my money, been steadily improving with age (the opposite of Joni, sadly).

As to Bonnie Raitt, I wouldn't quibble with her inclusion as a singer or player, but as a songwriter. She's written a few good songs, but not many, and I'm sure she wouldn't describe herself as a songwriter.

Ian McNabb I was never convinced by, in any department - though I haven't seen him live so maybe he's a great instrumentalist. I thought the Crazy Horse collaboration was awful, all attitude and posturing, little substance.

I'm glad Prince got a mention. How about Todd Rundgren?

Whadya mean man? I think you'll find he can. He's a pretty decent guitar player too.

He writes great anthems and has melodies that other artists would kill their granny for. Attitude and posturing? you must be getting mixed up with the famous SAS man Andy McNabb.

He could do country, soul, rockabilly, gospel, you name it. He could sound like Joe Simon, Elvis Presley or Sam and Dave without trying and without losing his own identity. Listen to Have A Heart followed by Moonshine Minnie.

Sam Phillips said he was the most talented musician he ever worked with. That has to count for something.

What about Tom Waits, his singing is cute, writes terrifying lyrics and plays all sorts of weird crap that was just lying around.
OK , Richard Thompson and John Martyn are pretty good too.

....and much as I enjoy RT and JM, I say again that RT (and JM), whilst they are both effective and characteristic singers, in no sense of the word are either of them "good" singers. In the same way as Bobby Z was unaminously agreed as one of the worst mouth organists (I can't bring myself to say gob-iron or harp, and harmonica is worse)on a recent BBC4 documentary on that instrument, he is also one of the most effective and uplifting practioners thereof. Larry Adler is a "good" mouth organist,in the same way as Harry Secombe is a good singer, but they both fail to tickle my fancy, more tickle my uvula (wobbly bit, hangs down at back of throat) with the accompanying and resultant effect thereof.
Tom Waits sounds like something stuck in the drain at an industrial laundry. (Quite effective, tho'!)

You're all missing the point with your Jonies & Toms. Multi-instrumentalist (plays guitar, mouth organ & drums at the same time) & writes and sings his own music?
Don Partridge.

Roddy Frame. He may have made a few dubious choices in terms of record producers over the years, and you could argue he's tried too hard to show his versatility on some albums, but he can sing, play and write.

It all came together beautifully on Surf from a few years back. I remember Tom Robinson on 6 Music (back when it wasn't a crime to discuss music on that station) urging listeners to buy it and offering to buy back copies from anyone who didn't like it.

As a taster...

...actually buy any back? I remember Heppo made a similar offer over Willie Nile and Streets of New York. Any returns? (I bought it, on the strength of the recommendation, admittedly on e-music, but I'm keeping mine.)

I'll second, third or whatever the Prince nomination. Still the most talented musician out there, even his output is a little erratic.

I'll also add Kate Bush - got the songs, the voice and can play piano. Just wish she was a bit more productive.....

I asked Gregson about that. Apparently not. Mind you, he would say that.
My nomination? Neil Finn. He's no Hendrix but he is a terribly good guitar player, the songs and the singing go without saying.

Milli Vanilli

How about Roger Ruskin Spear - he could play sax, trouserpress, leg....

Encouraging all these lists/ bests is a bit `Q` isn`t it?