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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
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,010 posts
 

A great early-70's artist almost forgotten by all but the most ardent Pop fans is Emitt Rhodes, whose self-titled debut album is fantastic.

Everybody knows Crazy Horse as Neil Young's band, but they made a great album of their own in 1971, when guitarist Danny Whitten was still alive. Also on the album are Nils Lofgren and Jack Nitzsche (who did all Phil Spector's orchestrations,  as well as a lot of soundtrack work. His own St. Giles Cripplegate album from 1974 is semi-Classical, and very interesting. He is also on Neil's Harvest album, and produced this Crazy Horse debut. Other production work he did was Graham Parker's Squeezing Out Sparks album, and three for Willy DeVille, a great singer), as well as Ry Cooder on a few tracks. Great album.

Martin Mull is now known more as an actor (he was on the original Rosanne TV show), but he made some great albums in the 70's. His turf was similar to another interesting songwriter, Dan Hicks---ironic humor. I find both much more clever than the better known Frank Zappa.


pete23
40 posts
 
@maxnewid interesting on Black Swan Lane.  I went to the Burgess show right before this, I think maybe 2006 at the The Earl? Never knew he went into this project afterwards.  They definitely have that "Up the Down Escalator" vibe in some tracks.  (Never got to see Chameleons UK unfortunately.)
Following  along.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Anybody familiar with "The The"? Picked up a cd from them (NakedSelf) yesterday (used) that is very good. Looking at wiki it appears it was a one man band for the most part (Matt Johnson) from the UK, with a host of musicians that came in and out of it. Most notably, Johnny Marr. Interesting music.  
mitchagain OP
468 posts
 
I was listening to one of my favorite Sunday Morning mix tapes today and I remembered a little known band called SPAIN. The band is fronted by bassist Josh Haden, who is the son of jazz legend Charlie Haden and the brother of vocalist Petra Haden.

I'd say they are a jazzier version of The Red House Painters. I'm partial to their early and darker material, particularly "She Haunts My Dreams." Most of their other albums are good, but a bit inconsistent. Plus, I like the fact that most of their album covers are either arty or alluring, since the prevalence of interesting album cover art seems to be waning. 
andynotadam's avatar
andynotadam
170 posts
 
Bangor Flying Circus was a Chicago rock-jazz band in the early seventies. Their version of Norwegian Wood on their eponymous album was pretty great.
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