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What unknown musical artist would you like to share with your fellow audiophiles?

When it comes to music, about half of my friends are "collectors" and the other half are true audiophiles. It seems the collectors are so obsessed with the size of their collections, that they leave no room in their budget for quality audio equipment. I think the audiophiles, with their focus on quality over quantity, are the ones with their priorities straight. So, unless you are on an unlimited budget, I'm guessing that audiophiles are more selective in their musical purchases. That being the case, I'm curious about what "buried treasures" have you been able to find? Thanks for responding and I look forward to discovering some good music, based on your suggestions.

I'll lead off with the band Crack The Sky, most notably their first two albums: "Crack The Sky" (1975) and "Animal Notes" (1976). I would describe them as a cross between Be Bop Deluxe and Frank Zappa. Their music is unique and totally unmistakable with anyone else. Choice cuts from the debut album are: "Ice;" She's a Dancer;" "Mind Baby" & "Sleep." Choice cuts from Animal Notes are: "Animal Skins;" "Wet Teenager;" Virgin....No" & "Maybe I Can Fool Everybody."
mitchagain
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
kosst +1 for Dead Can Dance

A few more worth mentioning:
The Magnetic Fields
Future Bible Hero's 
Lambchop
Sparklehorse
Eels
John Vanderslice
Spiritualized
Bowerbirds
kacomess
199 posts
 
"Living with the Animals" by "Mother Earth" with Tracey Nelson as lead singer circa 1968. Parts of this long out-of-print album have appeared on Tidal. Powell St. John (a sometime member of the 13th Floor Elevators, an important proto-psychedelic rock group from Austin, Tx) was also a member.
"On the Shore" by the British psychedelic folk-rock group "Trees" is interesting as is the classic cover art by Hipgnosis (circa 1970). This album is also out-of-print but some vinyl copies are/were available at Acoustic Sounds.
I have an enduring weakness for "The Loading Zone" (available originally as an RCA vinyl pressing of dubious sonic merit: out-of-print now), the "house band" at the Fillmore. Linda Tillery (now a gospel singer) could really belt out the cover songs.
badgerrivfan
1 posts
 
I’m new to Audiogon and this is my first post! Just getting into Hi-Fi and have been doing a lot of lurking and trying to learn.

There is a Chicago Guitarist named Joel Paterson that all audiophiles should check out. He released a Christmas album last year titled “Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar.”  It’s available on CD and vinyl (although I think all the vinyl is currently sold out), and can be streamed on Tidal, etc.  Joel has terrific tone and the whole album is very enjoyable.  If you are feeling in the holiday mood definitely give this one a listen.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 

@mitchagain  Thanks for recommendation.  About to check out I Am Kloot!  Always looking for new stuff.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,821 posts
 

I hesitate suggesting any artist, as someone here is bound to have heard of him or her, some even having actually heard his or her music. For instance, some have never even heard of Dave Edmunds, others are very aware of him (and his band with Nick Lowe, Rockpile). Same with NRBQ, and lots of other great bands.

But I feel safe in recommending a few:

- Van Dyke Parks. Brian Wilsons' collaborator (lyrics) on the ill-fated Smile album, his first album Song Cycle is like nothing else you have ever heard. Not Rock, not even Pop, it is indescribable. Not for dummies ;-) .

- Iris Dement. Not for those who have a low tolerance for Bluegrass or Hard Country, she is held in very high esteem by her contemporaries Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Joan Osborne, and many others.

- Julianna Raye. She hasn't made an album in many years, but her Jeff Lynne-produced Something Peculiar is fantastic.

More to discover