Newer bands, twiddle, tauk, pigeons playing pingpong, aqueous all in the jam band circle but studio stuff is good. Live is way better.
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."
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."
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Thanks to NUTTY and YYZSANTABARBARA for bringing Canadian artists into the discussion. I grew up in a state that borders Canada; so, I've always had an affinity for Canadian music. I was working in a record store when "Dinner At The Ritz" by City Boy came out. I remember their record company made a real effort to promote it; but, it just didn't sell. As for The Tragically Hip, that's a great band. It's a shame about Gord Downie's recent death; but, at least people are starting to talk about them again. My favorite Canadian band is Martha and The Muffins (aka M + M). The only band that I can compare them too is the Talking Heads. But, what really made some of their best records ("Danseparc" in 83 and "Mystery Walk" in 84) stand out was the exceptional production by Daniel Lanois. The first record he ever produced was "This Is the Ice Age" by Martha and The Muffins in 1981, because Daniel's sister Jocelyne was the band's bass player at the time. Three years later Daniel is co -producing "The Unforgettable Fire" (U2) with Brian Eno. So, Daniel made it big but M + M never did. Another good Canadian band worth checking out is Crash Vegas, who also had Jocelyn Lanois as a band member on their debut album "Red Earth." |
A band that has been around since the early 90s, has turned out many fine albums, tours generally small venues often, yet still somehow manages to fly under the radar is Low. Really amazing indie rock with an emphasize on a brilliantly minimalist sound. Saw them live earlier in the year and I just immersed myself in their sound. |
I would add Tom “The Suit” Forst. He is a blues artist my wife had in one of her executive MBA classes. As soon as he wrote the last college tuition check for his aon, he retired and began olaying blues in the North East. He has a number of CDs out. He began performin on stage in a suit as that is all his wardrobe had, much to the xhagrin of his kids. He as grown his hair out and wears red tennis shoes now, with his aignature suit. We have his CDs, great music! |
Love these kind of threads and thanks, Mitch, as I always enjoy discovering new music. i am a long time fan of horn bands - especially in the style of 70s funk or jazz rock bands. Anyone who knows me knows I am a HUGE Tower of Power fan (not sure if they fall into the unknown artist category) . . . but if your like such horn bands try these artists: 1. Lighthouse (Canadian 13 piece band from the 70s) 2. Mandrill 3. Puzzle 4. Funk Filharmonik 5. Doctor Funk 6. Phat Phunction 7. Prime Time Funk 8. Five Alarm Funk (Canadian) 9. Ten Wheel Drive 10. Cold Blood 11. Sage 12. Sante Fe & The Fat City Horns 13. Here Come the Mummies 14. Mingo Fishtrap 15. Jack Mack and the Heart Attack 16. The Boneshakers 17. Strokeland Superband Next, as The Monty Python Flying Circus Show used to say: “And now, for something completely different . . . “ If if you like relaxing folk music especially by a talented singer/songwriter with a silky golden voice listen to: Michael Tomlinson I’ve now probably worn out my welcome — so I leave you with these words of wisdom: “I FART in your general direction!” (Seriously hope there is at least ONE Monty Python fan out there!) |
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Thanx @ tparr for reminding me of The Sneetches. I had one of their CD's back in the day and it was very good. Your comment about liking something "a bit more complex" really hit home with me. I like that same trait in my music; but, I also think it's a potential "kiss of death" with most mainstream music fans. When I'm at the gym, I can't avoid hearing the latest pop songs by the likes of Swifty and Gaga, and I can't help but notice the common thread of "3 word choruses that get repeated 15 - 25 times in a row." A few of my obscure 80's & 90's power pop favorites include: DADA; GENE (very Smith's like); THE RAILWAY CHILDREN & THE REIVERS. Also, check out Sinead O'Connor's album "Collaborations." In addition to great versions of Ian Dury's "Wake Up and Make Love To Me" and The Colourfield's "Monkey in Winter," she does a spine tingling duet with DAMIEN DEMPSEY called "It's All Good!" |
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@boxer12 clem snide was a great call ..... people less known from me: LoFi ish 1. bonnie prince billy - despite 14 odd albums also under the pseudonym of Will Oldham etc 2. Bill Callahan / smog 3. Micah P Hinson - something like 3 albums produced in as many years 4 Jeff tweedy solo stuff outside wilco 5 king creosote Scottish folkie - nice coproduction with Jon Hopkins but I like scotland with love as well. 6 devandra banhart 7 the welcome wagon 8 ryley walker 9 loney dear 10 Findlay Napier - glasgow and VIP are the better ones 11 Laura marling - May be too big to be undiscovered This is the kit, Anna Burch, gun outfit, Gwenifer Raymond dancier world - South African chap called john wizards old African funk like William Onyeabor etc ok that’s my list as I cook without much thinking |
Wolf, I drove to Austin with my bass player partner in 2008, to see what the housing market was like. We were thinking of moving there and hiring ourselves out as a rhythm section (but ended up not doing it). We checked into a fleabag motel and went downtown to get a beer. The bar we went into had a small stage (I don't think there's a bar in Austin without one ;-), on it a drumset and a couple of amps. The band was on break, but soon returned to play another set. To my utter surprise, the guitarist was Redd Volkaert! For those who don't know, Redd was Merle Haggards' guitarist for many years, including 2008. I assume Haggard was off the road, and Redd was living in Austin, doing casuals around town. Arbert Lee (Emmylou Harris, The Everly Brothers) use to play this little bar in Ventura (on the coast between L.A. and Santa Barbara), and on those nights the place was always packed with guitar players, coming to watch, listen, and learn. He always closed the night with "Country Boy", a real showpiece for his abilities. By the way, Alberts' current drummer is a friend of hi-fi retailer Brian Berdan (that's how I met him), and his speakers are stacked Quads! |
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+ 1 on Jimmy LaFave. Great original material as well as covers. I think he curated the fine Jackson Browne tribute CD "Looking Into You," which happens to feature some Austin based artists: Bob Schneider, Eliza Gilkyson and Shawn Colvin. Another good source material for Austin based artists is the KGSR "Broadcasts" CD's. Volumes 1 (1993) thru 16 (2008) are worth seeking out. These CD's are full of fantastic acoustic performances by well known artists, as well as a good share of Austin based artists that are not as well known as they should be. |
Richdirector, +1 for Devandra Banhart. I love the simple song structure he exhibits in much of his music, as well as his wit. Same for Will Oldham but his style is completely different. three easy payments, You're welcome. mono is one of those bands that kind of grows on you. Didn't like them much the first time I heard them but pull them out of the collection for a listen often now. |
Richard Thompson- easily one of the best 5 guitarists alive and a great songwriter everybody good covers him! Jerry Lawson and the Persuasions- one of the great voices of our lifetime. Iris Dement- the real deal in country, think of Tammy or Loretta earlier in their careers. I concur on Dave Edmunds. Albert Lee- guitarist extradonaire! Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown! |
n80, THANK YOU!! I was beginning to feel like the Lone Ranger. If I had posted that 10 to 15 years ago I would’ve had 12 responses with hysterical MP quotes. Today, you’re my only saving grace. “Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries,,” |
PS. For female vocals check out: 1, Judith Owen 2. Jackie Allen For male vocals: 1. David Wilcox 2. Marc Cohn 3. Keller Williams ff you like jazz trumpeters, check out: Till Bronner (Love this guy - he cando it all, straight ahead jazz or bebop, blue-eyed soul, Brazilian, even movie soundtracks) check out his work with Take 6 and Al Jarreau here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=poahi8f_r_c For just plain fun,check out: Eddie From Ohio |
Listen to Qui! Post-punk art jazz nosie in the best of grooves. Having recorded albums with David Yow (Scratch Acid & Jesus Lizard) and Trevor Dunn (bass man for the Bangles) and the Melvins producing and playing too they have some of the best vinyl out there. There stuff will put any stereo to the test and drag the best out of them. Recent cover of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band's 'You Treat Me Like An Ashtry Heart' got great reviews from the Beefheart web master and all 'beefies' who have heard it. You can find them live in and around California most of the time and in Europe the rest of the time. Try SNUH or Qui with Trevor Dunn and see what she can do!!! |
@fmpnd Monty Python humor. We all have our burdens to carry. ;-) I think it would nice on threads like this if folks checked out other folks' recommendations and reported back on how they liked them. There have been a wide variety of recommendations here and not everyone is going to like them all but it is fun to hear when someone hears a new act for the first time that they fall in love with. |
@n80 I agree that some feedback would be nice; but, in everyone's defense I'm sure that they're busy with the holidays right now. And, if they are old school and rely on vinyl or CD's, then there's going to be an additional delay waiting for their purchase to show up. I listened to the Teskey Brothers and I was impressed. What has been happening recently with the neo-soul revival is very encouraging, be it the Teskey Brothers, St. Paul and The Broken Bones, Nathaniel Rateliff or Leon Bridges (there's a new kid out of Atlanta who I like even better than Leon Bridges, but his name escapes me). What is discouraging about the neo-soul revival is that we lost Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley way too early. It hurts worse when you realize how long both of them waited for some success; but, at least Bettye LaVette is finally getting her due. But, I've got to say that the musicianship has not caught up yet. Until I hear a riff or the overall playing that can rival the playing on "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," I will remain a bit skeptical. |
I saw Moritz Eggert many years ago. There’s really nothing else like him. http://www.moritzeggert.de/ |
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100% agree with the Struts. Super hard working glam band (think Slade and Sweet, not Ratt or Motley Crue) that writes every song like they’re going to be played to 80,000 stadiums. Don Dixon is a good choice as well. My suggestions: Locksley--Locksley Noisettes--Wild Young Hearts VV Brown--Traveling Like The Light Diego Garcia--Laura 2 The Red Button--She’s About to Cross My Mind The Jessica Fletchers--What Happened to The and Less Sophistication |
@mitchagain 1) I’ve been very disappointed with the current music of the 21st century. ... So, I was interested in how many responses mentioned current music versus music from the 20th century.I know what you mean. But there are some recent gems out there. Depends what your tastes are. For this crowd, some that may be accessible are: Guitar-oriented:
Electronic:
Doom metal:
Black metal (but not really):
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I would nominate Darrell Scott, the singer songwriter from Nashville who writes passionate and personal songs and is an amazing singer...oh yes, he is also one of the greatest acoustic guitarists on the planet. He does not fit a genre so is undervalued in my mind. 2017's Live From the Station Inn is a great place to start. So is his 2000 collaboration with Tim O'Brien (another candidate for recommendation too) Real Time which I would say is the quintessential album of American music I have ever heard...folk, gospel, rock, country--it's all there. . |
@wassaicwill: Thanks for mentioning that your choices "can usually be found for peanuts on Amazon" I think that is important info to know. Many of the artist mentioned in these threads that I have looked up ends up being rare or out of print; thus they are priced accordingly. So, it's nice to know up front that I can take a leap of faith on something unknown without a large investment. |
Jazz trumpeter Carl Saunders. Superior bebop player, yet very romantic. Makes ALL the changes. https://www.dropbox.com/s/s1m7abj9qzb13t2/02%20Love%20Dance.mp3?dl=0 |
+ 1 for Don Dixon & Marti Jones. They are both still making records together as "solo" artists, with Don always playing and producing. Although those releases are sporadic these days. In a way, Marti remains me of a modern day Linda Ronstadt because both of them have amazing voices, as well as impeccable taste when it comes to the songs they cover. Those artists range from: David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Marshall Crenshaw, John Hiatt and Graham Parker, as well as lesser known artists like Richard Barone (The Bongos), Clive Gregson, Peter Holsapple (The DB's), Dwight Twilley and Loudon Wainwright. Of the latter five, I'd highly recommend checking out the Bongo's, DB's & Dwight Twilley if you are a fan of the "power pop" genre." |
Jazz fans should check out Oded Tzur! Some very interesting music with an Indian component - take a listen on youtube. https://www.odedtzur.com/ |
Lots of interesting suggestions here. Particularly pleased to see some fellow Hip fans. I will throw out a few: James- U.K. band that has been releasing solid albums for 20 years. The Horrors- U.K. band that sounds like early Simple Minds or even the Psychedelic Furs. Their last 4 albums are fantastic. The name of the band doesn't do justice to their sound. Big Big Train- British prog band that sounds like early Genesis to me. Their last album "Grimspound" is terrific. Large band with a horn section and violin player that will make your system sing. Since people have mentioned the DB's, Bongos, etc, three of my favorites from that era are Guadalcanal Diary, The Connells, and the Dream Syndicate. I got Steve Wynn's "Steve plays Bob" yesterday. It is a collection of Dylan tunes covered by the Dream Syndicate and Steve Wynn playing with people like Alejandro Escovedo. Guadalcanal Diary just rereleased a live album that captures their spirit from a show in 1999. And the Connells released a best of compilation last year that is a good start if you are not familiar with them. Finally, for really new bands, The Eyelids out of Portland are a great jangle band reminiscent of REM. Their last album "Or" was produced by Peter Buck and they have a new one on the way. Cheers. |
I'm a big Marti/Don fan too! Although they are not unknown, Ojos de Brujo deserve much wider attention in this country. Great musicians, song writers and amazing performers. Here's a link to a video of a concert from 2007. |
