Help me discover some new music...

There are some excellent ideas on this thread. As an avid music collector, I am the twisted individual who gave away 8 record crates of albums when I moved to NY to pursue a career only to replace the collection with cds as technology changed. I still have not fully embraced the download scene because I enjoy the tangible aspects of a cd package (artwork, liner notes,the full package). I admire most every style and genre of music. However, originality is the key to success for me. Here are a few sources of new music I have successfully used that have not been mentioned:
TV: Austin City Limits on PBS is a great forum for music. Set your Tivo now. Jools Holland is another show that has a diverse line up of new talent. Jools was the keyboard player for Squeeze and is a talented musician in his own right.
Homegrown Music Network: www.homegrownmusic.net is a consortium of independent labels that distribute for new bands. Good source for bluegrass, reggae, and college type bands. Their annual cd of the year is an automatic purchase for me.
Jambands.com is a website with record/concert reviews with a slant towards Grateful Dead type bands. They post the top 100 cd college radio playlist monthly. I am like an NFL coach looking at college offenses for new ideas. Jambands turned me onto Trombone Shorty,Tedeschi Trucks,and others this year.
Record labels: You will find that you share similar tastes to certain A&R reps on labels. www.bluerose-records.de is a German label that publishes several paisley underground and alt-country artists I enjoy. I got an excellent 3 cd set of Cracker Live at rockpalast from them this year. www.eagle-rock.com releases cds and dvds of classic rock artists including archival concerts from Peter Frampton, the Stones, ZZ Top, and many others. Deltagrooveproductions.com is a blues label that has some of the best blues artists today including Mitch Kashmar, Kirk Fletcher,and others.
www.livedownloads.com This is a download site where you can either order hard copy cd's or downloads from many participating artists.
Finally, don't forget we live in a global economy. You can just as easily order from Amazon UK vs. Amazon and sometimes save money and find unique items.

Jeff Buckley: Grace
Joni Mitchell: Blue, Ladies of the Canyon, or Court and Spark.
Elliot Smith: Either/Or

"I forgot to mention Zappa. I have a few of his LP's -- Sheikh Yerbouti and Apostrophe come to mind -- but my collection's not very deep. I sometimes have trouble getting past the 8th grade potty humor on those lp's, but the musicianship and creativity are undeniably brilliant."

Yellow Snow was pretty innovative potty humor back when Apostrophe was released. :-)

ZAppa was very talented and innovative in certain ways, especially rhythmic patterns, and also an excellent guitarist usually with excellent musicians, but also all over the place.

Toddnkaya:
Mapman:
Just to show that I am not entirely stuck on Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. Two recent (to me) gems, The Colorado String Quartet, and Oleto Adams. I highly recommend both. The quartet, it's good to see Americans playing this music at this level. All female. Can be seen and heard on youtube. Miss Adams sings like Gladys and Aretha sang. Great voice, great material. So you Gentleman are correct. There is talent out there. I am just late discovering it. Maybe you have to look harder these days to find it. There is so much static out there. Thanks for the informative posts from everyone.
Cheers

Hot Rats
Chunga's Revenge
Burnt Weenie Sandwich
(on a diverging path, find yourself some "Sugarcane Harris")

Reuben and the Jets (one of THEE most romantic albums ever)

200 Motels
Yellow Shark

It is true - not every track is equally wonderful BUT imo Zappa was a genius with a capital 'G'. Worth digging through $h** to find the diamonds. The diamonds are definitely there.