Under-rated performers.

Subject: Under-rated performers.
From: Acorn4
Date: 20 May 08 - 06:03 PM

I'm sure we must all know musicians and singers who we think haven't had the recognition they deserve. I'm going to start the ball rolling with a handful of names from my own neck of the woods.

Pete Morton: -excellent songwriter, but has he ever been nominated for a songwriting award?

Roger Wilson: - a musician's musician -has played with the likes of Martin Carthy yet still relatively unknown.

Steve Thomason: - another excellent writer, some of his own songs could easily be mistaken for authentic traditional- much respected yet hasn't recorded.

Mick Holditch:- has moved out of the Midlands but saw him recently and was reminded of what a talented guitar player he is.

Any more for any more?

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 20 May 08 - 06:12 PM

Jack Hudson:- Admired by many of his professional contemporaries as a brilliant songwriter and guitarist.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 May 08 - 06:58 PM

Acorn4 - but at least Steve Thomason's songs are being recorded by others (Whaley and Fletcher...)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: GUEST,Dan Schatz
Date: 20 May 08 - 07:03 PM

Here in the US, Anne Dodson immediately comes to mind. She is a fine songwriter, guitar and dulcimer player, singer, arranger and (as members of the Quasimodal Chorus could attest) conductor. Alas, she is no longer touring regularly, but if you get the chance to pick up any of her albums, do.

Dan

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 May 08 - 07:12 PM

Robin and Linda Williams........they have their loyalist but they should have a much larger fan base.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: van lingle
Date: 20 May 08 - 08:56 PM

Eilis Kennedy, my favorite Irish singer at present. You can sample her Time to Sail CD at CDBaby

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 May 08 - 09:20 PM

Tinky Winky

Without him the Telly Tubbies were nothing......

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Beer
Date: 20 May 08 - 09:42 PM

van,
I just went and had a listen on You Tube. Very good voices. Most enjoyable.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Beer
Date: 20 May 08 - 09:48 PM

Good stuff Spaw. Really good. Love You Tube.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Beer
Date: 20 May 08 - 10:04 PM

Here is a young group that is up and coming out of the New York area. Crescent and Frost. They do a great job on a Supreme's hit "Stop in The Name Of Love" on You Tube and Check out My Space for a number called "Katie"
Just thought I would share this.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 21 May 08 - 12:05 AM

There's a group of songwriters from the Lincoln Ave scene of the 1970's Marty Peifer,(prononuced Piefer), Harry Waller, Al Day, Mike Jordan, Sally Fingerette, Mick Scott, Buddy Mondlock, Fred Campbeau, Chuck Aulger, Tom Dundee, Betsy Redhed, Jody Alis, John Benischek, Jim Craig, Andrew Calhoun, Thom Bishop. All gifted. All completely different. Alas, there was a compilation LP, but not really reflective of the music. The Famous Potatoes(w/John Burns...son of Jethro Burns of 'Homer and Jethro) were contracted to provide musical support and ended up over powering more than a few tracks. Was not what I would describe as a 'communal effort'. The final product didn't reflect original intent at all. But, if you can locate recordings of these artists from the 70's WFMT-Chicago being the most likly source I'm sure you'll be impressed w/t array and sophistication of the talent(s).

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: topical tom
Date: 21 May 08 - 01:00 AM

Someone I get a kick out of and I'm not sure he's as recognized as he might be is Roy Zimmerman.
   
   Here he sings That Is The War On Terror

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 May 08 - 02:17 AM

Which is worse under-rated or not rated at all?

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 May 08 - 07:52 AM

Terry Yarnell - Bob Blair
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Rasener
Date: 21 May 08 - 08:11 AM

Gareth Barry

I am not sure about the use of under-rated bit, as i find that hard to quantify. I prefer to look at it in another way and say who I like from a songwriters point of view.

We had 2 excellent songwriters at Faldingworth Live last Saturday who I think are as good as anybody on the scene at the moment.

They are George Papavgeris and Duncan McFarlane

Mind you we have a couple of good ens coming up for our next 2 events. Allan Taylor and our very own Lincolnshire born and bred John "Fiddlers Green" Conolly.

I'll get me noat

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 21 May 08 - 08:27 AM

Me!

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: topical tom
Date: 21 May 08 - 10:01 AM

Another underrated performer:Dick McCormick sings The Hippies Song

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: topical tom
Date: 21 May 08 - 10:04 AM

Sorry about the spelling-Dick McCormack.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 May 08 - 10:04 AM

Jim Carroll.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: selby
Date: 21 May 08 - 10:43 AM

All the young ones who are not on a degree course or a protege of someone. Who play and dance because they like our music and have no other motivators and are having a bloody good time.
Keith

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Ghost of Electricity (inactive)
Date: 21 May 08 - 11:06 AM

Jack Hardy, Rod MacDonald, Michael Smith, come to mind.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: DonMeixner
Date: 21 May 08 - 11:28 AM

Hey Spaw

Good to see Robin and Linda mentioned. The Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper of the current country stalwarts. I have known them since the college coffee house scare of the 70's. Robin is a great writer.

I'd add Timm Grimm to the list

Don

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 May 08 - 03:04 PM

Oh Cap'n
You're only saying that 'cause it's true
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: nutty
Date: 21 May 08 - 03:48 PM

Chris Searle .... alter ego of Sid Kipper and the REAL Les Barker, both performers well known for their funny stuff but not for the wonderful sensitive songs and poems they are both capable of producing.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 21 May 08 - 04:25 PM

Nutty - that should be Chris Sugden, I think (who wrote Confidence!)as the alter ego of Sid Kipper.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Michael
Date: 21 May 08 - 04:26 PM

Nutty - Chris Sugden?

Mike

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 21 May 08 - 04:29 PM

Not to be confused with Chris Serle who (like Grant Baynham) appeared on That's Life!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Peter T.
Date: 21 May 08 - 05:25 PM

The Beatles from about 1963-1967. In spite of the accolades, what happened to them is still hard to wrap one's mind around.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 May 08 - 05:47 PM

Jim Carroll. Especially in Manchester some years ago - rumor has it!

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: GUEST,stu
Date: 21 May 08 - 06:46 PM

Hows about this guy?

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: nutty
Date: 21 May 08 - 07:48 PM

Thanks Kitty ... Yes I did mean Chris Sugden

Mike .... if you haven't heard any of his serious stuff - you should

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: squeezyjohn
Date: 21 May 08 - 09:06 PM

I can't believe it hasn't been said before, and he won't thank me - but:

Pete Coe

I'm sure everyone here who has seen him doesn't under-rate him at all - but the lack of widespread coverage of such a talented singer & musician never fails to astound me.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Rasener
Date: 22 May 08 - 02:08 AM

Good job I have Pete Coe at Faldingworth Live on Feb 14th 2009 then :-)

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: old salty
Date: 22 May 08 - 05:18 AM

Acorn,Iam with you on pete Morton his lyrics are very good,
    I'll see him at Pickering Folk Festival,yaaahoo!
    Alan Bell
    Pete Coe
    johnny Handle
                      some great songs from the above.
                                             
                                              salty x

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 22 May 08 - 07:41 AM

Many of those performers on the Library of Congress recordings: you can't even get any information about them on the search engines.
Doc John

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Barry Finn
Date: 22 May 08 - 07:54 AM

What a much nicer thread, giving notice & praise to performers that don't get the light shone on them that they deserve, rather than the opposing thread ("over-rated performers) that only slags those that posters feel a negitive need to toss into the darkness.

Now that I've otten that off my chest there are a few who in my opinion deserve some limelight.
A young twenty something from West Virginia, Elizabeth LaParelle who does some incredable singing of her regional mountain music & hopefully will be appearing at 'Old Songs' in 2009.
Canadians Jim Payne & David Francy who both are writing some wonderful songs. In addition to them the above mentioned 'catters'
George Papavgeris and Duncan McFarlane along with our Andrew McKay.

Barry

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Rasener
Date: 22 May 08 - 07:57 AM

Jez lowe
Steve Tilston

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 May 08 - 08:14 AM

What defines under-rated? There are some artists above, Jez Lowe springs to mind seeing as he is immediately above, who are very highly rated on the national folk scene but no-one outside the circuit has ever heard of them. What about local artists like Salford's Pete Ryder (Now emmigrated to Bolton!) who, according to Martin Carthy, is a very good guitarist. Locally we also know him a talented songrwiter, brilliant performer and sit-down song and dance man (one of his!) as well. Outside the area though very few people remember him. What about people like Mike Harding who is now nationaly reknowned as a presenter and funnyman but prior to that he was a well respected and very good performer on the local fiolk scene.

How do we rate the under rated? Popularity? Ability? I had a whole list of people I would have included in the the list but once I started to think about it I couldn't really include many!

Help!

Dave.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 May 08 - 08:17 AM

Or those often unknown singers and who run clubs like Swinton!

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 May 08 - 08:20 AM

Thay are that unknown that not even I know who they are, Les

:D

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Rasener
Date: 22 May 08 - 08:31 AM

Dave
I think thats my point. How do you determine who is under-rated and why.

I have only put on performers who I think are very good songwriters. The underated doesn't come into it.

Maybe the title should have been "Songwriters who you really like"

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 May 08 - 02:39 PM

Exactly, Villan (Another Les isn't it?) Not only how do you determine who is under-rated but who rates these things anyway?

The title is, however, 'performers'. These could include non-song writers as well. I suppose we need clarification of Acorn4's measure?

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Acorn4
Date: 22 May 08 - 02:49 PM

I really meant it to cover all performers - three of the ones I quoted at the beginning are songwriters, though two of these also perform a range of traditional material, and one is a guitarist who also sings.

I think I really meant "people on the folk scene".

For the benefit of US contributors, Matraca Berg is hardly heard of over here, but I really like a lot of what I hear from her -is she well known in the States?

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 22 May 08 - 04:02 PM

When I think of "under-rated", I am thinking of artists who are not known by a wide audience on the folk scene. Most are singer-songwriters.   Coming to mind are people like Danny Schmidt, Ellis, Antje Duvekot, Pat Wictor, Thea Hopkins, Amy Carol Webb, Tom Breiding, Lea, Joe Jencks, Randall Williams and Anthony Da Costa. Some are starting to recognized, and hopefully we can revist this thread in a year and most will be known!

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 22 May 08 - 04:20 PM

"Jim Carroll. Especially in Manchester some years ago - rumor has it!"
You've been talking to your Aunt Agnes Les!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Cool Beans
Date: 22 May 08 - 05:12 PM

Matraca Berg got a phenomeally great review for her first album from some prestigious (or at least widely read)critic but remains virtually unknown here in the US. Having never heard her, I can't comment on her talent.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 May 08 - 05:44 PM

It still leaves the question of under-rated against what measure, Acorn. Pete Morton, for instance, is very highly rated in certain areas - He had his own Radio 2 show for a while - About festivals if I remember rightly. I can't honestly say I have heard the others so I wouldn't know if they are under-rated or not. The suspision is that because not everyone has heard of them, you would consider them to be under-rated. Yes? In which case I could quote you a few artists who you are not likely to have heard and say that they are under-rated as well. The thing is all we are doing by quoting these under-rated artists is telling each other who our favourite regional or obscure acts are. Nothing wrong with that but don't expect anyone in the national media to take you up on it. Out of the hundreds of under-rated acts we will only ever get a small handfull who make it big. And then become the subjects of the over-rated acts thread...:-(

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Ghost of Electricity (inactive)
Date: 23 May 08 - 09:47 AM

"The Beatles from about 1963-1967."

Underrated?

They were probably the most acclaimed pop and rock band of the 20th century.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 23 May 08 - 11:54 PM

"The Beatles from 1963-67"...I get that. It wasn't until I became an accomplished musician in the folk/bluegrass/celtic acoustic world and did a 'forced study'(for a gig) of some Beatles songs from that period did I REALLY appreciate how MUCH they were taken for granted. Then I went crazy and holed myself up for about 2 months and learned every Beatles song I could find. Then it was on to Gene Pitney from there. I think he was very underrated as a songwriter/producer/singer/pop star, etc. and was pleased to see his inclusion in the R & R Hall of fame.

Another VERY underrated musician was Ike Turner. Regardless, of what was later revealed he was a phenomenal keyboard, guitar, bass, percussionist and arranger. I have a close friend who's playing w/Mark Sallings and the Famous Unknowns who said Ike Turner was one of the best 'musical minds' he's ever worked with.

Cowboy Jack Clement...incredible performer, songwriter and troublemaker...gotta love 'im.

One more...Sonny Bono. In addtion to being a gifted comedian he wrote the Searcher's hit 'Needles and Pins' and, of course 'I Got You, Babe. He took alot of bashing and worried about it all the way to the bank. RIP, Mr Bono.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 24 May 08 - 01:42 AM

"They were probably the most acclaimed pop and rock band of the 20th century."
Even if they were crap
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Rasener
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:52 AM

>>Even if they were crap<<

Why do we always use that expression when we don't like a performer(s).

Invariablly the performer(s) are very good, but their style of music is not what we like. Then off we go spouting "he/she/them, are crap" when in actual fact, they are not crap, rather not our style.

The crap attitude can have an effect on audiences attending a concert. Whereas if you explain to a person who has never seen an act, what their style is and that they are indeed a very good act, but not your particular style. Then people can make their own mind up by going to see them.

How often have I heard somebody telling me an act is crap and then when I ask them why, they turn round and say "because so and so said so"

The Beatles were excellent and influenced music very much. To say they are crap is far from the truth. Maybe you don't like them, but to say they are crap!!!!

I don't like modern jazz, but that doesn't mean that the performers who do that, are crap. They are probably excellent. The problem is with me, becuase its not my cup of tea. In fact I only have one tune that I particulary like in the modern jazz scene, and that is Take Five - Dave Bruebeck.

I'll get me bog roll.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: GUEST,orrible
Date: 24 May 08 - 05:44 AM

Dustin The Turkey,Daniel O Donnell,Dick Miles.:)

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 May 08 - 05:50 AM

I don't think its compulsory to like all modern jazz. brubeck did a lot of catchy ones Les.   I bet you'd love Unsquare Dance.

I like the 1950's stuff like Miles Davis, and theres people around today playing that sort of stuff. Its not dixieland - is it still modern nearly 60 years later?

I'm not keen on stuff with guitar synthesizers in.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 May 08 - 06:30 AM

Two kinds of music - the stuff you like and the stuff you don't, that's the most important thing.

Underrated? Duncan MacFarlane Band and the Boat Band - both should be recognised as original, exciting and technically very competent but you hear them and you like them or you don't - that's it.

Both bring much joy

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 24 May 08 - 06:58 AM

Re the Beatles;
Sorry, I was letting my prejudices get the better of me.
I was born and brought up in Liverpool where - in the mid-sixties if you didn't like football or the Beatles, there was sod-all else to do.
I detest(ed) both, so I moved to Manchester where (apart from a far healthier folk-scene and a better class of cinema) the same thing applied (if you substitute Freddie and the Dreamers for the 4 Mops).
".... and reader, I married him".
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 24 May 08 - 08:52 AM

I look at "under-rated" as something very different from being little known. I take it to mean, "known but not fully appreciated." A good example is the late Cisco Houston. For much of his musical career he played second banana as Woody Guthrie's sidekick. You could hear his wonderful tenor harmonies, but you had little sense of him on his own. When Woody got too sick to perform anymore, Cisco finally broke through as a solo artist. That;s when people discovered he had a deep rich voice and a style all his own. But pretty soon Cisco himself got sick and died of cancer just as the folk boom was about to happen. Had he lived, he might have been remembered as one of the great ones. Instead, he is just a footnote to the Guthre legend.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: frogprince
Date: 24 May 08 - 09:26 AM

Cisco, indeed, Janice; I sat in a college library in '68 or '69, copying odds and ends of LP's unto tape, and happened to pick up the record of his last sessions. Had no idea of who he was, or his history at the time. It's still one of my favorite recordings.
I write a little stuff, but I can't sing at all, so if my songs ever have a chance, it will be because my wife sings them very well. I refer to her as "my Cisco".

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Doc John
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:40 PM

Jim, I too was born in Liverpool several years before you and destested both the Beatles and Football...
...and Janice, glad you mentioned Cisco. I missed his one performanace at the Liverpool Cavern (happy days before those mopheads!) as I had to work, thinking he's be back: he was only 40 or so. There are only two titles where he sings lead with Woody but lots of later solo stuff. There's a website dedicated to him - if you don't know it, do visit!
Doc John

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:50 PM

Doc John,
I very much doubt your first sentence - nobody was born before me.
I think I saw Cisco, but I wasn't as aware of the singers then. Saw some magnificent jazz at the Cavern; Colyer, Barber, Welch, Lightfoot - weren't we spoiled?
I saw Rambling Jack Elliot at The Bluecoat Chambers and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee at Jackie and Bridie's club - I think that these were the highlights of the 25 years I lived there.
My father used to tell the story of of us riding on a bus past Everton's football ground and I pointed to the stand and asked what it was.
The man in the seat behind tapped him on the shoulder and said "Ey lar, are you bringing up a ******* atheist!"
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 24 May 08 - 05:23 PM

Forgot to mention Freddy Fender. He really should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. There's a museum in his honor in his hometown and his family has set up a website and scholarship fund in his(stage)name. In the mid-70s He had 5 or 6 straight #1 country hits and 'Wasted Days and Wasted Nights' hit #1 on the Pop charts. The one thing people, in general don't know is that he was a great guitarist, too. Real strong rhythm attack and a great 'picker'. A friend of mine...same guy who worked w/Ike Turner and is now w/Mark Sallings and the Famous Unknowns told me, "You ALWAYS knew where you were when backing up Freddy, he was a rock".

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: Acorn4
Date: 24 May 08 - 06:15 PM

Pleased with how this thread is going -I've had a look at some of the names mentioned on Youtube.

Bit disappointed however that the rival "over-rated" thread has overtaken it due largely to an outbreak of "handbags at fifty paces".

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 May 08 - 06:39 AM

Tony Rose,Kevin Mitchell, The Wilson Family,Seamus Creagh,
Steve Turner,Keith Kendrick,Richard Grainger,Jean Ritchie,JakeWalton,Robin Williamson,to name but ten.
   from Dick Miles.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 25 May 08 - 07:32 AM

Jon Brindley; someone else who has always really impressed me live and in person but whose cd doesn't get that across. Looking forward to seeing him at brampton this year.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 25 May 08 - 07:46 AM

Sounds like a good Festival line up to me Captain!

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: van lingle
Date: 25 May 08 - 09:20 AM

The Scottish group Malinky, especially, for me, when Karine Polwart was with them.
Jim Malcolm formerly of Old Blind Dogs. What a voice.

Subject: RE: Under-rated performers.
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 May 08 - 10:25 AM

Ron Taylor, GordonTyrell,Ron Taylor and Jeff Gillett.Martyn Wyndham Read.Sean Cannon.