2B my thoughts to those artists

So, following from the first blog,

1)    Bob Dylan- One of the greats of yesteryears albeit he is still writing some songs but not hits like they were 3 to 4 decades ago. Many consider Bob one of the greatest songwriters because of his lyrics but to be honest, I don’t get much of his lyrics or songs. But he is the most referred artist that my listeners would pop up with. Funny thing is I never listened to any of his songs until a couple of months ago because I was curious to learn of the similarities that listeners told me. Actually, I did love “Knocking on Heavens Door” but did not realise it was Bob Dylan. Sorry BD fans, I am not a music nerd LOL.  Rating 6.5

2)    Sugarman Rodrigues- About as equal times of reference to Bob Dylan was this artist called Sugarman Rodrigues. I’m sorry but I had never heard of Sugarman Rodrigues until a few months ago and many say he is the greatest songwriter ever and that I had to see the movie. I am glad to say that I saw the movie couple of months ago and I loved it. 

To learn about his incredible journey and how he became famous and ‘discovered’ is truly incredible. I hope that I get a similar but quicker road to success as he did. Maybe I should have a documentary done on me and submit it to the Cannes Film Festival! After all my son Brandon is a qualified Movie Director.

Rodrigues mostly wrote about life and that is how he connected with his fans. I too have quite a lot of songs about life and spiritual matters that is yet to be released but will be given time and hopefully be as successful. I mostly write about love etc as it is an easy subject for me. My producer calls me the Romantic Songwriter or a Hopeless Romantic. I think I connect most with Sugarman and if you haven’t seen the movie “In Search of Sugarman’ I would suggest you do. It’s on Netflik. Rating 7.5

3)    James Taylor- Incredible songwriter and so DTE music that touches one’s Soul. ‘You’ve got a friend’ is legendary and he had much influenced me. At times I cannot get the song out of my mind and even when I am trying to compose something, that song always pops in my head. Rating 6.2

4)    John Lennon- I was surprised when a few came up with JL. I wasn’t much of a fan but a fan of the Beatles. However, ‘Imagine’ is a classic and legendary too. I guess it’s more about him outside of music that I did not connect with and that his wife Yoko broke up the Beatles and I haven’t got that out of my head whenever I think of JL.   Rating 5

5)    Cold play- I was pleased to have been likened with Cold Play as I love their music and the band. ‘Fix me’ is my fav and an incredible song. They are currently touring Australia and it would have been a dream to be their opening act here. They have their own style and I am also trying to create my own style. Rating 7.2

6)    Chris De Burge- I always have “Lady in Red’ humming away at the back of my head. One of the best romantic songs ever together with “Right here waiting’ Richard Marx and many others too. Songs that you wish were playing as you fall in love. Set back is he was really a 1 hit wonder. Rating 6.8

7)    Cat Stevens- Unbelievable talent giving us great songs like ‘Father & Son’ ‘Wild wild world’ ‘Morning has broken’ and more. Then to suddenly give it all up when he became a Muslim. I liked this connection as he did influence me and great to see him back on stage. Rating 7

8)   This is my list of songwriters that I aspire to or have influenced me that is not on list above: -

a)    Ed Sheeren ( early days of his first two albums) When I first heard Ed Sheeren’s song “Photograph” I was in awe. Then came “Thinking out loud” and “Perfect” and more. He was inspirational because he wrote from the heart and was DTE. But after those hits it seems like he had swayed from that path and latest songs just doesn’t resonate with me.

b)    Elton John- What can I say or have to say. 5 decades of great songs. I grew up not only listening but singing in the shower every day to “Your Song”  “Goodbye Yellow brick road” “Nikita etc

c)    George Benson- Brilliant works that many aren’t aware of for example. Whitney Houstan’s song The Greatest Gift of All” is a George Benson cover.

d)    Bill Winters & Otis Reading- I put these two together because they came around the same time in 60’s before songs were more than ‘elevator music’ to my ears, They wrote songs that were quite similar too as well as backgrounds, e.g.  Ain’t no Sunshine, Dock of the Bay, Stand by me, Lean on me etc

e)    MJ the one and only. – Absolutely love Micheal music but unlikely I could play or sing his songs. Big influence on me.

There were a few others that were mentioned but I forgot who they were. So, I may add to the list in the future and of course you may be adding as well. Look forward to your insights.