10 Most Overlooked (non-surround) Albums

[The Bright Side]

Unless I list the entire discography of English musician Mark Gillespie, living in Germany, I have the following... Not 10, but hey:

Maria McKee - Late December
Tears for Fears - Everybody Loves a Happy Ending
ABC - Traffic
Foreigner - Can't slow down
Gary Clark - Ten short songs about Love
King L - Great Day for Gravity

[DKA]

Unless I list the entire discography of English musician Mark Gillespie, living in Germany, I have the following... Not 10, but hey:

Maria McKee - Late December
Tears for Fears - Everybody Loves a Happy Ending
ABC - Traffic
Foreigner - Can't slow down
Gary Clark - Ten short songs about Love
King L - Great Day for Gravity

Big ABC fan, but I didn't even know about the 2008 album. Worth a shot for me for sure.

Roland Orzabal's solo album was also pretty overlooked. Hell, "Elemental" was as well.

[Quad Linda]

How about Rauol? Raoul!!!!! Raoul and the Kings of Spain. Since Curt was long gone, they should have called it Tear for Fear.

Call me mellow.

Big ABC fan, but I didn't even know about the 2008 album. Worth a shot for me for sure.

Roland Orzabal's solo album was also pretty overlooked. Hell, "Elemental" was as well.

[DKA]

How about Rauol? Raoul!!!!! Raoul and the Kings of Spain. Since Curt was long gone, they should have called it Tear for Fear.

Call me mellow.

"Raoul" never grabbed me. Don't know why.

I got to see them......three years ago, maybe? Nostalgia dollars make the worst of relationships suddenly better. They were fantastic, though.

[jefe1]

[Would love to see some more recent music discussed in this thread.[/QUOTE]

This is where our differing ages show up on this thread.....

[doppelbock]

Would love to see some more recent music discussed in this thread.

Well okay, since you asked I'll continue!

Almost anything by Gemma Hayes
Aviv Geffen - With the Time (many of us know him from his collaborations with Steven Wilson as Blackfield but his Hebrew recordings are well worth investigating if you'r at all a fan
Azure Ray - just about anything they've released in the last 5 or 7 years...
Richard Hawley - either Cole's Corners or Trulelove's Gutter - great albums


DKA- The Hawley albums would be really good candidates for up mixes if you hear them want to give it a go....

[DKA]

[Would love to see some more recent music discussed in this thread.

This is where our differing ages show up on this thread.....[/QUOTE]

Age ain't nothin but a numbah. I can do the 60's and 70's rock, and I was born in '74. These folks here can do the same.

[elmer]

Speaking of numbers, and they can vary a bit from year to year, but conservatively, more than 25,000 new albums are released every year and of those less than 1500 sell more than 10,000 units each (this is per Soundscan) - so we're talking about ALOT of overlooked music - much of which is for good reason but still, it's a sobering number.

In my original top 10, I listed 2 that were released last year and another 3 that were released in the last 5 years. I've been actively listening (or purchasing) music for the last 44 years - that's a big pool of overlooked to pull from. I could probably make several top 10 overlooked lists just for last year alone. But if I am asked to to list my 10 Most Overlooked (non-surround) Albums, no matter how ridiculously impossible that may be, I'm going to take into consideration my entire 44 years. Now if you want to do it by decade or by year that's another thread or 10 - either way, it's fun and a cool way to either rediscover some of your own overlooked titles or those of members on this thread whose taste you respect.

And by the by, @Dopplebock - I've had the opportunity to see Richard Hawley twice - once in France at the annual MIDEM convention and at SXSW in Austin a few years ago - both times he rocked - great atmospheric rock and a bit different from his days with Pulp.

[Circular Vibes]

I don't know about obscure, but I've bought Jimmy Reeds' I Ain't From Chicago, and it has been on my platter at least 20 times in the last month. "Take Out Some Insurance" gets me going on early mornings. I now prefer this version to the Beatles Polydor recording. A feat in my books! I only wonder about it's obscurity since I've not seen a digital transfer yet, nor any reference in this forum.

[Quad Linda]

While it isn't the same album, you should check this out: www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/2093 Although it may not have been discussed here, the song, and Jimmy Reed are listed on QQ through a link to my SACD collection: www.sa-cd.net/library/7517/1 Leave it to a girl from Chicago to be the blues connnection.

The title Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall is pretty fast and loose with the facts. It was recorded in the studio, nor live at Carnegie. Phil Ochs', mentioned in the non-Quad obscure thread, Carnegie Hall album is exactly the same story. Instant live album, just add canned applause. Still, they're both great albums.

Bright lights, big city, goin' to my baby's head.

I don't know about obscure, but I've bought Jimmy Reeds' I Ain't From Chicago, and it has been on my platter at least 20 times in the last month. "Take Out Some Insurance" gets me going on early mornings. I now prefer this version to the Beatles Polydor recording. A feat in my books! I only wonder about it's obscurity since I've not seen a digital transfer yet, nor any reference in this forum.

[Odys]

Cop Shoot Cop - Release
The Dirtbombs - Ultraglide In Black
Q and Not U - Power
Kills - Black Rooster EP
Bicycle Thief - You Come and Go Like a Pop Song
Brian Jonestown Massacre - And This Is Our Music
At the Drive-In - Relationship Of Command
Nation of Ulysses - 13 Point Program to Destroy America
Shellac - 1000 Hurts
Fugazi - Repeater

[DKA]

Cop Shoot Cop - Release
The Dirtbombs - Ultraglide In Black
Q and Not U - Power
Kills - Black Rooster EP
Bicycle Thief - You Come and Go Like a Pop Song
Brian Jonestown Massacre - And This Is Our Music
At the Drive-In - Relationship Of Command
Nation of Ulysses - 13 Point Program to Destroy America
Shellac - 1000 Hurts
Fugazi - Repeater

I love "Relationship of Command." Has a permanent spot on my IPhone.

I hope folks are getting some good recommendations from this thread.

I forgot to also include Manic Street Preachers - "This is My Truth, Tell Me Yours" on mine. Stops me dead in my track anytime. A lot of MSP albums will do that.

[Circular Vibes]

While it isn't the same album, you should check this out: www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/2093 Although it may not have been discussed here, the song, and Jimmy Reed are listed on QQ through a link to my SACD collection: www.sa-cd.net/library/7517/1 Leave it to a girl from Chicago to be the blues connnection.

The title Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall is pretty fast and loose with the facts. It was recorded in the studio, nor live at Carnegie. Phil Ochs', mentioned in the non-Quad obscure thread, Carnegie Hall album is exactly the same story. Instant live album, just add canned applause. Still, they're both great albums.

Bright lights, big city, goin' to my baby's head.

Thanks, Linda!
I am gonna check out that album. Have you tried it on vinyl? I don't have SACD capability, yet. I've seen VeeJay reissues and wondered if they would be any good.

[Quad Linda]

Circular Vibes, I've not heard it in vinyl. Like most SACD's, this one is a hybrid, so it will play on any CD player. As with many SACD's, it is out of print, and is priced at $75 today. If you're strictly interested in vinyl, it is in print on an Analogue Productions LP. tower.com also lists the Mobile Fidelity Gold CD as being in print. Either if these would be my choice, as they're likely to sound the best. There are also available CD's on Shout Factory and Collectibles, which would be the lowest cost new CD's. Clearly, this is a classic album.

Happy Listening!

[jsrstereo]

Off the top of my head, long time (and still) fave:

SPACE OPERA by Space Opera (electric 12-string nirvana).

One down, nine to go (Later)

John R

[Circular Vibes]

Hi Again Linda!
I have bid on ebay for the Analogue Productions vinyl edition. I am not adverse to digital, but find vinyl more convenient. I do play DVD-A's via my Panasonic DVD changer. Unfortunately it isn't SACD capable and I have a hard time spending the money on a hybrid to play the CD layer. I hope to buy an Oppo in the future, but there are other equipment priorities for now. I enjoy Oxford Dickie's disc conversions and my vinyl collection about equal. If it is a choice between a good LP pressing or a standard CD, I go for the vinyl. Lets hope I win and then I can let you know how I like the album.
Thanks for your recommendation!
Matthew

Circular Vibes, I've not heard it in vinyl. Like most SACD's, this one is a hybrid, so it will play on any CD player. As with many SACD's, it is out of print, and is priced at $75 today. If you're strictly interested in vinyl, it is in print on an Analogue Productions LP. tower.com also lists the Mobile Fidelity Gold CD as being in print. Either if these would be my choice, as they're likely to sound the best. There are also available CD's on Shout Factory and Collectibles, which would be the lowest cost new CD's. Clearly, this is a classic album.

Happy Listening!

[JonUrban]

There's a CD/album called "The Hoops McCann Band", which is a jazz/instrumental group that plays Steely Dan tunes. It was released on MCA at the dawn of the CD era. I bought it on an impulse buy, and thought it was pretty good.

Now that I think of it, I should try and run this disc through SPEC. I wonder how it would sound in surround.

At any rate, if you like Steely Dan and instrumentals, this disc is well worth seeking out. It's rare, but it's not that expensive when you find it:

http://www.amazon.com/Hoops-McCann-P.../dp/B000008BAJ

http://www.broberg.pp.se/hoops_mccann.htm

[Quad Linda]

There's a great disc with Chicago's own Marian McPartland interviewing Dalter Fecker & Wonald Bagan. They play a bit, as well. It was in print for a short time. Don't forget the WONDERFUL New York Rock & Roll Review, w/ Becker, Fagan, Scaggs, McDonald, Snow, etc. I saw them live.

Great stuff, knock on wood!

There's a CD/album called "The Hoops McCann Band", which is a jazz/instrumental group that plays Steely Dan tunes. It was released on MCA at the dawn of the CD era. I bought it on an impulse buy, and thought it was pretty good.

Now that I think of it, I should try and run this disc through SPEC. I wonder how it would sound in surround.

At any rate, if you like Steely Dan and instrumentals, this disc is well worth seeking out. It's rare, but it's not that expensive when you find it:

http://www.amazon.com/Hoops-McCann-P.../dp/B000008BAJ

http://www.broberg.pp.se/hoops_mccann.htm

[The Bright Side]

There's a CD/album called "The Hoops McCann Band", which is a jazz/instrumental group that plays Steely Dan tunes.

"6:05
Outside the stadium
Special delivery
For Hoops McCann
Brut and charisma
Poured from the shadow where he stood
Looking good
He's a crowd pleasing man..."

Do you know if there's any special meaning to the name?

Hey DKA, it was the same for me about ABC. Found out about "Traffic" only a year ago, pretty big surprise! And I really recommend it, it combines all the things that made this group lovable - sounds like something released between Lexicon of Love and Beauty Stab.

Linda, never listened to "Raoul"... I bought the Dutch "Ultimate Collection" a while ago for the stellar 32-bit remastering, but I'm not too impressed with the tracks off Raoul. I was surprised about some great stuff from "Seeds of Love" though, an album which I didn't know in its entirety before either.

[Quad Linda]

"6:05

Linda, never listened to "Raoul"... I bought the Dutch "Ultimate Collection" a while ago for the stellar 32-bit remastering, but I'm not too impressed with the tracks off Raoul. I was surprised about some great stuff from "Seeds of Love" though, an album which I didn't know in its entirety before either.

High time we made a stand to shake up the views of the common man...You better love lovin' and you'd better behave. Woman in chains...So FREE them! What an incredibly sensitive man! Roland/Raoul has my undying respect!!

[paligap]

Captain Beyond (well, this might be in cult territory, but still there's got to be fans of similar music that haven't heard it)

I wholeheartedly agree with Captain Beyond, both their eponymous album and Sufficiently Breathless. I'd love to hear both in surround.

Others on my list might not be as obscure as some of the others in this thread, but I think they deserve wider recognition.

Doyle Bramhall II & Smokestack - Welcome
Tommy Bolin - Teaser
Budgie - Impeckable
Utopia - Ra
David Bromberg - You Should See the Rest of the Band
Crack the Sky - Safety in Numbers
Lone Star - Firing on all Six
The Pursuit of Happiness - Love Junk

[quadsearcher]

Ra! Crack The Sky! Pursuit of Happiness! Yep, those would be on my list too. Saw Pursuit at an outdoor show in my home town. Really good.

[paligap]

I saw them in a club on their Love Junk tour. Yes, they were very good.

Another one I'd add to my list would be Armageddon's only album.