Underestimated, song, artist or group '' gems'' ?

Three pop/r&b nominations:

NRBQ - Yes, they have their devoted grassroots legion, but it's criminal that they never got much mainstream attention. I don't remember EVER hearing an NRBQ song on broadcast radio. And they have to be one of the hardest working bands on the planet.

Francis Dunnery - Apparently had more of a following in the UK from "It Bites" - but he's a bloody great guitarist (touring back-up for Robert Plant and Santana among others), and his solo career essentially went nowhere. You'll hear "My Own Reality" and "Too Much Saturn" on radio occasionally, but all of his albums that I have (Fearless, Tall Blonde Helicopter, and Let's Go Do What Happens) are definitely keepers.

The Pooh Sticks - Deserved to be huge (but weren't).

I appreciate TWL' s mention of Urge for Going, which was just about first song I learned to play on guitar back in 1968. I was playing Tom Rush's arrangement. He was an inspired scout of great songwriting talent (Joni, Jackson Browne, James Taylor) and not a bad interpreter of the songs, either.

Joe Beck. Try his DMP recordings from Acousticsounds. You could probably get all of them for under ten bucks. Play close attention to his Back to Beck cd. Best acoustic guitar playing ever. Also try his new release Trio. Go to Joe Beck.com for a demo.

As mentioned earlier, living in Buffalo, we do get to hear the Hip quite often. Tragically Hip that is.

Eldulcesol,
That's where I "got Hip". I grew up in WNY, and still have family and friends in the Queen City and get there a lot. Got Direct TV's NFL Sunday Ticket so I can get my weekly Bills fix too.

neat thread

lots of great stuff mentioned

others
Bob Green era Fleetwood Mac
Suzanne Vega last two
Montreaux
The Flaming Lips old stuff - The Soft Bulliten
Continental Drifters - Vermillion
Costello - Imperial Bedroom