You're Favourite Little-Known Bands

[Suuse]

Those of you who've wandered over from TBD1 may recall a thread that ran to almost 40 pages of favourite little-known bands. Jake and Ubu were instrumental in building that thread, but were by no means the only participants; Chez Moi, Dazzling DIana and Snagg were frequent contributors as well, and literally dozens of people popped in with suggestions.

Gone is gone, and it's time to start again. So, ladies and gentlemen, let's have 'em: you're favourite little-known bands. And any information--websites, youtube links, etc--that you can provide are most welcome.

Big thanks,
Suuse

[Ubu]

I'm not sure where I came up with this group. They are touted by some as the first heavy metal band in the States. Actually the first song sounds more progressive and always makes me smile because the lyrics make me think of Spinal Tap.

Sir Lord Baltimore - Man From Manhattan
One with that early metal sound. Loe and Behold

[Jake Doga]

I can see Stonehenge descending from the rafters now! (Actually, I've been looking for the first Sir Lord Baltimore album [on vinyl] forever - great cover art, too!)

[Tim Wat]

In no particular order:

Lizz Wright - voice of an angel - daughter of a minister, now singing and composing contemporary jazz. If you like your jazz soulful, our your soul jazzy, she's a first stop.

Jon Cleary and the Absolute Gentlemen - New Orleans' favorite son by way of England! Perhaps the most incredible N'awlins piano player to carry the mantle of Professor Longhair and Dr. John into the brave new world. If Jon Cleary doesn't make you dance and get funky...you're dead.

Happy the Man - Washington D.C.'s best kept progressive rock secret. Amazingly nimble weaving of complex and odd meter, intricate, clever and cool. If you grew up listening to old school prog (Genesis, Gentle Giant, Yes, ELP, etc.) and wonder where all the creativity went, check 'em out.

Bill Bruford's Earthworks - Contemporary acoustic jazz at its post-bop finest. Especially recommended are "Footloose and Fancy Free" and "Random Acts of Happiness", two live recordings that also demonstrate the best of live production values. But the music is the ticket - joyful, soaring, complex, challenging, dancing, weird...it's all there. Although Bruford is an alum of King Crimson and Yes, don't let that make you doubt - this is real jazz for real jazzers.

Sphere3 - England's secret jazz/rock instrumental quartet. They all have day jobs, they haven't released a new CD in years...and the one CD they have out is to die for! I have no idea if they're ever going to release #2, but you gotta check these guys out.

Jenna Mammina - not your typical jazzy songbird. Idiosyncratic, unique and personal in her interpretations, achingly romantic original compositions. Perhaps not for everyone, but I adore her work.

Greg Howard - the master of the Chapman Stick. 12-strings, tapped (not picked or strummed) - one man, rhythm, harmony and melody - and Howard is the best. Wonderful melodies, inventive...and you'll never believe it's just one guy with a plank of wood and two handfuls of strings.

Johannes Wallman - New York post-bop modern jazz. My current instructor and mentor. I think he's only got the one CD out "Minor Prophets" but every tune is challenging with layers and layers of meaning...like his guidance and instruction. Highly recommended.

[Jake Doga]

Ubu's post about Sir Lord Baltimore got me to thinking of a whole genre - early obscure heavy metal.

Somehow I got a free copy of this album in 1971 - then sold it around '76 to the used record store in Bloomington that preyed on poor grad students such as myself. Since then, I've never seen a copy in 30 years of rooting through dusty record bins worldwide.

Chocolate Piano - Orangutan

[StraightArrow]

Davin James - Plays around Texas a lot, both solo and with his band (The Bullnettle Band). An awesome singer/somgwriter/guitarist. Does an amazing rendition of Red House

Red, White and Blue


Magnolia



http://www.myspace.com/davinjames


http://www.davinjames.com/

[StraightArrow]

Here's a guitar that's seen some meleage...

[Ubu]

[Seashelly]

Category 5, band from.....Detroit, Michigan.......first time I saw them was at a monster truck show at Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan.  They are good band, this video does not have the greatest sound quality.  I really enjoyed watching them perform......the lead singer has a ton of energy!

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[Jeff Journey]

[Jeff Journey]