# Underrrated Musicians **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 17, 2000, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804 "2000-05-17T21:57:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/21 "2000-05-19T00:00:33Z")
Dave Lombardo is _awesome_, though (wrapping self in asbestos) he’s no Neil Peart. (Wow, seems I have this EXACT same discussion every 3 years or so.) Dan Hicks (Cecil’s a fan, he’s quoted directly in one of the SD books - what else do you need?) … Dan Hicks is greatDan Hicks is greatDan Hicks is great. A fearless swing-funk hippie-acoustic jive-ass hipster and far and away the world’s greatest living male jazz vocalist. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/22 "2000-05-19T00:14:59Z")
Brian May of Queen is a very talented and very versatile guitar player, much more than usually noticed. Not only does he have a unique style, he also plays various other genres of music. Each and every member of Mr. Big is EXTREMELY talented. They just make crappy music - bad record deal? This Geddy Lee guy plays a mean bass, not matter WHAT people say 😃 ---
**Author:** ![drewbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drewbert/32/15890_2.png) [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/23 "2000-05-19T00:19:50Z")
Ooohh fellow Fleckheads! 🆒 I knew I liked this place ---
**Author:** ![drewbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drewbert/32/15890_2.png) [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/24 "2000-05-19T00:23:05Z")
BTW, I once Saw Bela and Tony Trishka on CBS Sunday Morning - there was one shot of them playing the SAME banjo. Four hands, one instrument. Now that’s talent. ---
**Author:** ![ConMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@ConMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ConMan)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/25 "2000-05-19T00:53:26Z")
From the musician and the ability to flat-out play standpoint of which, I believe we are discussing, I would have to nominate Rick Nielsen, the guitarist for Cheap Trick. So many different guitars and so many different licks. He makes many of them himself. Also, Lindsey Buckingham is amazing with an axe! His solo performance on the reunion special, The Dance where he performed Big Love is INCREDIBLE! ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/26 "2000-05-19T02:27:08Z")
I don’t know whether he is underrated or underappreciated…I just think the world would be a better place if everyone listened to more Warren Zevon. ---
**Author:** ![rackensack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@rackensack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rackensack)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/27 "2000-05-19T03:18:29Z")
Had a reply all typed out, all over but previewing to make sure that it looked right, when the power in the whole building failed. Recomposed after I got home from work, and my machine crashed. So, hours later, I’ll try again. [**Kirsty MacColl**](http://www.iag.net/~akoustic/kirsty/kirsty.html). Amazing voice and top-shelf songwriter with more talent in both areas than practically anyone I can think of from the last twenty years. But does she sell millions of discs? No. Does she whine and complain? No, she records a Johnny Marr/Morrissey number called “You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet Baby”: > [@](#): > > If you’re wondering why > When all I wanted from life was to be famous > I have tried for so long it’s all gone wrong > I’ll tell you why > I’ll tell you why > I’ll tell you why > > Today I am remembering the time > When they pulled me back and held me down > And looked me in the eyes and said > > You just haven’t earned it yet baby > You just haven’t earned it’s all > You just haven’t earned it yet baby > You must stay on your own for slightly longer It’s that spirit of refusing to have anything to do with self-pity that I love in all her work. [**Kelly Hogan**](http://monsterbit.com/longplay/hogan.html), best known as the vocalist for the Jody Grind, isn’t the songwriter MacColl is, but her voice is in the same class, and she has pretty good taste in cover material (the first Jody Grind disc included “Mood Indigo”, “It Ain’t Necessarily So”, “Love Alone”, and Bachrach/David’s “Wishing and Hoping” served up with a double twist of irony). Her career’s been up and down since, but talent-wise, she has few peers. [**The Pooh Sticks**](http://members.tripod.com/thepoohsticks/index.html) filtered a spot-on assault on the self-importance of “alternative” rock through the 1.5" speaker of a 1975 Panasonic transistor radio. Their 1993 release, “Million Seller”, should have lived up to its name. [**Shoes**](http://www.blackvinyl.com/3shoes.htm) made a number of great pop albums throughout the 70s and 80s. Almost no one but the critics noticed, unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/28 "2000-05-19T03:46:59Z")
Whenever The Blues comes up in a mixed crowd, mostly people mention Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. I’m sick of hearing about them. Nobody ever mentions Lightnin’ Hopkins. ---
**Author:** ![rackensack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@rackensack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rackensack)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/29 "2000-05-19T04:19:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > Whenever The Blues comes up in a mixed crowd, mostly people mention Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. I’m sick of hearing about them. Nobody ever mentions Lightnin’ Hopkins. > \*\* Or Hound Dog Taylor. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/30 "2000-05-19T04:25:29Z")
**rackensack** wrote: > [@](#): > > Or Hound Dog Taylor. Yeah, and while we’re at it, what about: T-Bone Walker Una Mae Carlisle Son House Wynonie Harris And can we _please_ get a little credit for Mr. Elmore James? ---
**Author:** ![rackensack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@rackensack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rackensack)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/31 "2000-05-19T04:38:05Z")
Johnny Angel: > [@](#): > > And can we please get a little credit for Mr. Elmore James? Credit? Well, let’s see … your collateral is what? A broom? I see. Actually, among the blues fans I’ve been around, Elmore James is pretty well known and highly regarded. Ditto Son House. Now Jimmy Reed, on the other hand, gets less respect than I think he deserves. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/32 "2000-05-19T05:00:20Z")
**My neck of the woods!** Lightnin Hopkins. Hound dog Taylor. Willie Dixon. Robert Johnson. Sam Chatmon. Bo Diddly. Sonny Boy Williamson. Memphis Minnie. Furry Lewis. Blind Willie Johnson. Big Joe Williams. Fred McDowell. Son House. Robert Lockwood. Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Slim Harpo. Arthur Crudup. Wynonie Harris. Big Mama Thornton. Charles Brown. Guitar Slim. T-bone Walker. Ruth Brown. Don Covay(Mick Jagger copped his style exactly) James Cotton. Rufus Thomas. Little Walter. Jr Wells. Honeyboy Edwards. Jr. Kimbrough… Well, that list could go way on and on. These people paved the way for the sonic upheaval that made the Euroculture start the hipgrind that loosened things up. A friend once said,“The Blues is the Black man’s Theory of Relativity.” It certainly has changed the way we relate to the world as much! These are musician’s musicians, and have influenced all American music. They are just starting to get their rightful dues, but only after decades of second tier status. A damn painful shame. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/33 "2000-05-19T14:09:52Z")
**elelle,** will you marry me? And do you mind if **rackensack** and **Johnny Angel** come and live in our house? – Uke, popping some Homesick James on the box. Roosevelt Sykes on deck. ---
**Author:** ![rackensack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@rackensack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rackensack)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/34 "2000-05-19T14:13:49Z")
Almost forgot to respond to the OP’s mention of Flipper. Much as I agree, you really have to admit that any band that sounds like that **is** going to alienate most people who hear them. One of my most cherished possessions in college was the original single of “Sex Bomb” b/w “Love Canal”, with the xeroxed picture sleeve. ---
**Author:** ![h\_thur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@h\_thur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h_thur)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/35 "2000-05-19T16:41:43Z")
elelle - you forgot **Nina Simone** ---
**Author:** ![epeepunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f19dbf/32.png) [@epeepunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epeepunk)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/36 "2000-05-19T16:52:57Z")
Since we seem to be including bands in the musicians category, I would nominate Sparks, an amazing techno-new wave-dance band that is _really_ funny. Smart, literate, and you can dance to them. AC/DC seems to be put down as dumb rock, but the early stuff is very blues-based, and they are one of the tightest bands (no wasted motion, no wasted effort) The Georgia Satellites top my list of bands that are just freakin’ great, but where are they? Gone (sigh). I’m sure I have more in my tape and record (vinyl) collection. Don’t we all. ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/37 "2000-05-19T17:16:41Z")
Maybe this makes me a dork, but I have always thought that Saul Hudson, better known as Slash (formerly with Guns-N-Roses), is an exceptionally talented guitar player. Of course, his claim to fame may preclude his receiving a great deal of respect, but that doesn’t change the fact that this guy can really play. ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/38 "2000-05-19T17:20:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > Like Lauryn Hill… with more soul. \*\* Not possible. ---
**Author:** ![rackensack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@rackensack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rackensack)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/39 "2000-05-19T17:21:14Z")
epeepunk: > [@](#): > > I would nominate Sparks, an amazing techno-new wave-dance band that is _really_ funny. Smart, literate, and you can dance to them. I’ll second, particularly since they had they had the good taste to work with someone I inexplicably left off my first list, Jane Wiedlin. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2000, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804/40 "2000-05-19T22:25:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > > - Just about any player in the world of acoustic string music. Also known as “newgrass” or “progressive bluegrass.” > > I never cared one way or the other about Rosie O’Donnell, but after I heard she introduced Sam Bush and Edgar Meyer as “a couple of banjo guys you never heard of” on the Grammy Award show, I now actively despise her. > > \*\* Don’t hold it against her. She’s a nice person and a good entertainer but she’s, of course, one of the mindless millions who just doesn’t understand music or art, and probably doesn’t care to. She’s happy with her pop cheeze. Us who know Sam Bush and Edgar Meyer (not to mention Bela, Mark O’connor, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, etc.etc) understand, and we are the only audience that these guys are seeking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrrated-musicians/19804.md?page=3)