Artists One Should Know

+1. I find Bill to be very interesting and talented. And for me, Jason is captivating. To me, he was a most special kind of artist, able to convey emotions in a most haunting way. For newcomers to Jason Molina I suggest picking up "The Magnolia Electric Co" 2013 re-release from Secretly Canadian label. Two discs, basically the same songs. One disc with full band - these can really rock. Remeniscent of Crazy Horse. The other disc is demo versions of the same songs, so stripped down and acoustic. With these two discs you get a great perspective of Jason and his talent: one rocks; one haunts. Superb stuff.

Thanks for the heads up, I will buy that CD.

Viridian you have to watch out for girls with guns!

Richard Thompson. #19 on Rolling Stone all-time guitar players. But he is a great songwriter and singer also. Folk-Rock with, often, scorching guitar work. Mock Tudor, The Old Kit Bag, Rumor & Sigh. Newer stuff - Electric, Dream Attic, Sweet Warrior. For a great one with his ex-wife Linda Thompson, Shoot Out the Lights.

Callahan is excellent. One artist who I think has been consistently producing great work for many years is Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. Earl is a Boston based blues guitar slinger who can play many diverse styles. His latest cd "True Stories" is fantastic.

Slaw- you are correct. Bill Callahan is a pure unadulterated musical genius. I heard Dongs of Sevotion first and have been on a Callahan vinyl buying rampage since. I vow to have everything he has put to wax if i can find it.

I saw Bill C. at SXSW some years back. It was in a nice-sounding church with Joanna Newsom on piano and Elizabeth Warren (no, not THAT Elizabeth Warren) on violin. Very impressive all-around.