Perfect Debute Albums

Tracy Chapman / (self-titled)

Rickie Lee Jones / (self-titled)

Cowboy Junkies / The Trinity Session (OK, it was their sophmore effort)

Joni Mitchell / Songs to a Seagull

Bob Dylan / (self-titled)

Great call on Lhasa de Sala, what a beautiful album. Also Chris Whitley (I think the first was his best too).

Here's a few more - some rather personal favorites I guess - not exactly maninstream:

Madeleine Peyroux / Dreamland

Neutral Milk Hotel / On Avery Island

Joanna Newsom / The Milk-Eyed Mender

16 Horsepower / Sackcloth'N'Ashes (preceded by an EP)

Patty Griffin / Living With Ghosts

Gillian Welch / Revival

How could I forget?! Joss Stone, The Soul Sessions. Classic!!

Swamp - agreed on the next two from Joss Stone! I've not listened to her fourth. I'd have to also call out her guest appearance on the Jeff Beck, Live at Ronny Scotts (GREAT video) is...well,....memorable (oh my, oh my...very memorable)! Made you yearn for more than just the single song. What a voice! Also great on that same DVD is Imogen Heap doing "Blanket".

...back to debuts...

Has anyone already mentioned Kate Bush, The Kick Inside ?! - she was 19 and most of the songs were written when she was much younger.