underrated or unheard of musician/band


Hopefully this thread will lead us all to new non-commercialized things to listen to. There is a ton of talent hiding out there so here we go, lets uncover some!

Hacienda Brothers. Twang all the way with a touch of south of the boarder, some blues and some rockabilly sometimes all in the same song (it works trust me). They have , among others, Dave Gonzolas, the guitarist for the Palidans (rockabilly hardcores) a great pedal player and Chris Gafney doing vocals. First album just came out. Definately a live show band.

Dave Alvin great songwriting IMO. every song tells a story and most of them aint happy. Covers roots rock, country, blues. Museam of hearts is a good start as is king of california.

Curtis Salgodo. Another live show guy. The songs are good but the recordings don't carry his passion. not to say the recordings aren't good. Soul, R&B and Blues. has done stints with roomfull of blues and santana.

Tinsley Ellis. king of blues and Blues rock. great playing, great voice and usually great songs. Would smoke Clapton on a bad night IMO. Killer live shows and the recordings carry the ball as well.

Afro Celt Sound System Celtic music blended with electronic under tutalidge, if not leadership, of Peter Gabriel.

Sonia Dada. white chicago rock band meets black street singer group and the rest is history. Great live, great late at night loud. Kida funky, kida soulfull. Vocals as you might expect are very good.

Ray Condo and the Ricochets. Unfortunately Ray passed last year so live shows are out. Too bad because the consistantly rate as some of the most fun i've ever seen. Country Swing and honky tonk.

Danny Gatton and (i'm in a big brain fade here on the first name. Robert i think. age sucks) Gordon "The humbler." OK among guitar players he ain't unknown and being rated as a god by guitarists and winning guitar players best player selection ain't exactly underrated he fits based on being called the workds greatist unknown guitarist. Jaw dropping rockabilly here and it was only their 4th gig together. The soundman at a one night gig knew he was on to something so he grabbed a take of the night. Unfortunately Danny couldn't overcome the blues and did himself in a number of years ago.

Shoogie Otis. Just gotta check it out.

I'll think some more and add some more later.
piezo
It is really nice to see that there are more people, who like Paul Westerberg.
From a european point of view I would like to add a few, in my opinion underrated musicians/bands.:
Pavement
Midway Still
SONIC YOUTH
Posies
Nick Cave
Adam Green
Jeff Buckeley
Josh Rouse
The American Analog Set
Clinic
Elvis Costello
Wilco

and there are many more.
I've been looking for the Lloyd Cole "Pop" lp for a while now. I use to have it and remember how catchy and well written it is.
V Roys
Scott Miller and the Commonwealth
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
Peter Bruntnell
Similar age and taste Beatlebum. I turned 40 in Septemeber. Love the Tubes. I thought my musical taste would change as I got older. It has with regards to what I am open to but I am still into the same type of stuff I looked for when I was in my early 20s. I think there is a lot of really good music being made today. I find my stuff through internet radio or browsing through Borders headphones.

Other notables I have caught on to over the past few years:

Grandaddy
Beachwood Sparks
The Shins
The Stills
Tin Star
My Morning Jacket
AC Newman
Franz Ferdinand
Modest Mouse
The Walkmen
The Damnwells
Stereophonics
"The Waifs" They're an independent,so you wont hear about them unless you have a good college NPR station. They're from the land down under and anything you can find is great the latest live album "A Brief History" is just great!