On Mon, 03 Jun 2002 09:57:34 -0700 skip Heller wrote:
The term "singer/songwriter" has been categorically stigmatized. Whenever the term is thrown around, it almost automatically infers some self-congradulatory self-piteous, professionally sensitive tripe, ala Cat Stevens or Jackson Browne. It (the term) alludes any kind positive connotation, and there are really amazing singer-songwriters in the most classic sense of the term who do not fall into the "professionally sensitive" mold -- Tom Waits, Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman, Dave Alvin, Lauryn Hill, and Paul Westerberg have all referred to themselves as singer-songwriters. But the mainstream perception of the term has lost any value, largely because it means "someone like Dan Fogelberg".
I am really puzzled by what you are saying because I never realized the negative connotation of the expression. I thought it was supposed to mean that somebody was not just an interpreter, but also somebody capable of writing songs. And when you say "categorically stigmatized", you mean by who? And to help me, what expression is considered positive for somebody who both sings and writes songs? Patrice.