I second the Richard Thompson nomination. Although he has even been nominated for a Grammy or two, the average music fan has never heard of him.
I'll also nominate John Cale. He's been consistently over-shadowed by Lou Reed in terms of both popular and critical appeal, but for my money his post-Velvet work has been much stronger than Reed's.
And how about Graham Parker? The forgotten member of a remarkable late 70's new-wave triumvirate (along with Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson), his body of work is arguably the best of the three (although admittedly less adventurous). Yet he has no profile at all in the States, and most of his albums are out of print.
I'll also nominate John Cale. He's been consistently over-shadowed by Lou Reed in terms of both popular and critical appeal, but for my money his post-Velvet work has been much stronger than Reed's.
And how about Graham Parker? The forgotten member of a remarkable late 70's new-wave triumvirate (along with Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson), his body of work is arguably the best of the three (although admittedly less adventurous). Yet he has no profile at all in the States, and most of his albums are out of print.