Before woodstockbirdybird beats me to it, I submit the name of Paul Westerberg, late of the mighty Replacements.
Gilles Peterson, originated the name “acid jazz”
Lady Kier, from Deee-Lite
Axl Rose, yes, I’m very serious.
Karl Blau, from Olympia, Washington
How could I forget? Miss Nancy Griffith is tremendous. Little Love Affairs is a personal favorite.
Pipeliner, may I just say that you clearly have exceptional taste?
BTW, have you heard “Coke Machine Glow”? The lyrics are easily on par with anything he has written with the Hip.
Adding Harry Chapin (sure, he’s plenty appreciated, but not enough ), seconding Van Morrison.
And adding Danny-freakin-Elfman (for work with Boingo).
Art Alexakis.
OO…I’ll second Liz Phair, but I wouldn’t really say she’s underrated. Exile in Guyville is an amazing album!
My nomination would be Ralph Covert. He has solo albums as well as songs with his (now defunct, I believe) band the Bad Examples. Chicagoans should know who he is. Gotten plenty of critical acclaim in the music press, with the Bad Examples “Bad is Beautiful” album being named “One of the 100 essential power pop albums” by Billboard (I believe. Or perhaps some other industry magazine.) His lyrics and music are absolutely charming, down-to-earth, sometimes sentimental, sometimes philisophical, sometimes witty, always endearing. Check him out.