little known musicians we should hear

three words you should research:

Cul De Sac.

It's not jazz it's not trash it's not punk it's just

Cul De Sac.

harry menks, think i spelled it right.

plays a mohanvina, pronounced the way i have spelled it. 13 string guitar. studied in india with a master, V.M. Bhatt who played with ry cooder on A Meeting by the River, Waterlily Acoustics... another great cd no vinyl available even though it was recorded analogue!

Anyhow Menks live is incredible and his recorded music is wonderful.

Since you mention Alejandro Escovedo first (he is so amazing, if it weren't for corporate radio, he'd be a star and "A Man Under the Influence" would be a best selling album), I'll make a few obscure and not so obscure (just in case) additions:

Steve Earle
Lucinda Williams
Joe Ely's "Love and Danger"
The Flatlanders' "More a Legend Than a Band"
Sid Griffin (Western Electric, The Lost Ryders, The Coal Porters)
Gram Parsons
The Golden Palominos' "This Is How It Feels"
Richard Buckner's "Bloomed"
Greg Brown's "Dream Cafe"
Rosanne Cash's "Ten Song Demo"
Wilco's "Being There"
Old 97's
Chris Smither's "Live As I'll Ever Be"
Townes Van Zandt

That's enough for now. Some of these are OOP and you'll have to search ebay and the used bins. Unfortunately, again because of corporate radio, the good die young.
And THANKS for the recommendations from all -- I'll check them out, too!

Curve - THE best band too few have heard of. Their first albums are choice.

Polyphonic Spree - a new band I recently saw whose name is the descrpition of thier music (they have a chior). They do what few can, marrying happiness and talent.

T Bone Burnett has been around for some time but I only recently discovered his CD of the same name. Not sure what to call it-folk, country, or blue grass but it doesn't stray far from the top of the stack.