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List of artists that have never lost quality throughout entire career

One of the brightest on my list is 

1. Depeche Mode. I'm big fan started listening and enjoying them from their very first album "Speak and Spell". I am devoted to their perfection of every song they create in terms of sound, melody, harmony and incredible intelligence. Their music may seem simple, but in reality much more complex than seems. I believe that they're somewhat commercialized, but also believe that they deserve their incredible success. They're indeed Kings of electronic rock!

2. Can (The Can). Every album they released is a journey to their creativity. What are they rock? Jazz? Prog? Their music often can cover all styles of music in one song. It's a blend of jazz-trained drummer Jaki Libezeit, classically trained keyboardist Irmin Schmidt(also conductor and neo-classical composer and film score composer), multi-instrumentalist bassist Holger Czukai and classically trained guitarist and electric violinist Michael Caroli (RIP). It's a unique blend of musicians with extraordinary skills and creativity

3. Dead Can Dance. This artist has plenty of praises and each and every of their album is a unique blend of electronics and earth bound instruments. Lisa Gerrard is known to be a part of Gladiator Motion Picture Soundtrack.

4. Tom Waits. Many would criticize Tom for not singing his own voice, but I'm amused the way he does it with spirit of Louis Armstrong! Yes indeed with spirit instead of just imitating. Embracing the spirit of inspired artist is different and Tom is clear example to that!
czarivey

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bdp24
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And, of course, Richard Thompson.
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Howlin' Wolf, Big Joe Turner, Jimmy Vaughan, Hank Williams, Levon Helm, Ry Cooder, Patsy Cline, Iris Dement, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Dan Hicks, John Hiatt, Rodney Crowell, Jim Lauderdale, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Del McCoury, Loudin Wainwright III, Randy Newman, Nick Lowe.
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bdp24
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Richard Thompson, Danny Gatton, Albert Lee, Loudon Wainwright III, The Ramones.
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Excellent instance and example of nothing but first-rate work in Los Lobos, tostadosunidos! By the way, I learned of them in a great manner: I went to see The Plimsouls at a little dive on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City named The Garage (it was literally a garage---like a car repair place, converted into a "club") in the mid-80’s, and there was an opening act whose name I had not before seen or heard. They started their set, and my girlfriend and I looked in disbelief at each other---they were grrreat! Yup, it was Los Lobos, who had not yet gotten a record deal. I was an instant fan, and still love them to death.

That girlfriend had great taste in music---her favorite band beside The Plimsouls was The Lyres, her favorite rocker Dave Edmunds. Unfortunately, she turned into a pothead, one thing I cannot abide!

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bdp24
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Many artists have "arcs" in the quality of the work. Up, then down, hopefully then up again. There is the thought that most have only "so much" in them, some only one album. What a depressing idea for those just beginning. I can think of many bands or singer/songwriters who apparently shot their wad with their first release. Many of my long-term favorites---Ray Davies/The Kinks, The Beatles, The Band, The Dwight Twilley Band (with Phil Seymour), only two or three. I’m in the minority, but only Rubber Soul and Revolver make the grade for me! Some only one---Rockpile, though they did a few more as an ensemble on Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowes solo albums.

It’s the writers I find of interest for the longest stretches---currently Iris Dement, Rodney Crowell, John Hiatt, Loudon Wainwright, Jim Lauderdale, maybe Lucinda Williams (she does too many slow songs), Marshall Crenshaw. Dylan, of course. Performers are Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, The Del McCoury Band, anything by Marty Stuart or Chris Hillman. Hmm, all Country--ish.

The saddest for me are those who stay past their prime---particularly Brian Wilson. Seeing him live in the early 2000’s was about as depressing a thing as I’ve ever experienced. I was morose for days afterwards. Then there are those who finish strong. Johnny Cash!

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