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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
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
9,408 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.

inna
7,132 posts
 
Dead Can Dance unknown ? Even Eskimo know them.
whart's avatar
whart
2,967 posts
 
@kacomess- On the Shore is a very good record. It fits in with some of the other early 'freak folk' including Comus, First Utterance and Mellow Candle’s Swaddling Songs. Meg Baird, who is prolific, had a group of out Philly called Espers- also in the same vein, but more recent psych-folk. The vinyl is out of print as far as I know, but The Weed Tree is an especially good album. 
@bdp24 - "hard country' used to be called "country" until the advent of 'modern' country, which is really '70s rock, re-hashed. Kind of like undecaffeinated coffee. :)

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