Unusual Music Recommendation

Dread Zeppelin - 5,000,000 / Tom Waits - Mule variations

Cat Power - any album (beautiful, soulful female voice)
Tom Waits - any album (God)
Meredith Monk - any album (a true performance artist Goddess)
Azure Ray - new and only lp (beautiful female voice)
Merrick - ditto above

Goo Goo Dolls should be a part of this list as far as "Alternative" is concerned. Under the heading of unusual I strongly suggest Ministry, may not be your cup of tea, but very strong musical performances to be appreciated. Will add albums and track numbers later.

Dan Bern. Just incredible! By far, my favorite artist these days. Everything is there. Great songwriting, humor, sensitivity.... Considered an underground artist. His last album was produced by his Friend, Ani Difranco. If you give a listen, you will be in for a treat. Go to DBHQ.com The most incredible song of the last few years, Kid's Prayer, can be bought direct. It is a live version of a recording on public radio, about violence in schools. $5. All proceeds go to fight child abuse. No, I am not connected, just a fan in awe of his talent.

Everybody's waiting for the Messiah,
The Jews are waiting,
Christians are waiting,
Also the Muslims.
It's like everybody's waiting.
They've been waiting a long time.
I know how I hate to wait.
Like even for a bus or something,
An important phone call...

Since this thread began with a tip-o-the-hat to the biggun' from the Charlottesville scene (Dave Matthews, who can still be found drinkin' near every Monday night at a certain downtown bar) I can't resist mentioning another of the C-Ville bunch that has had an uninterrupted tour of duty in my CD player recently. Danny Schmidt -- none of you has heard of him, but you should. What more, instead of me waxing all silly about how swell it is, I'll encourage those interested to check out his web site. There he, and others, tell the story better than I could and you'll have the chance to check out some of his music from the first CD to boot (which was recorded live exactly two years ago today). Serendipity or what?