Underrated Performers

[BellaBellucci]

Alison - Elvis Costello - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfZ5m-oGmtQ&feature=related)

Imogen Heap - Goodnight and Go - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqjWodek8ZM&feature=artistob&playnext=1&list=TLRvPNwFJy8sM)

Anna Nalick - Breathe (2AM) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPz3YaIJkjQ)

~BB~

[runningdownthatdream]

A few of my favourites:

(Empatia) DeVotchKa - Dearly Departed - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foNrZi2vcsU&feature=related)
Sia, Lullaby - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McEEiZU8t4Y&feature=related)
Gillian Welch - Revelator - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVDuaVKeDuc)
Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears (live) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE2uEl_aB9E)

[BellaBellucci]

Oh, and how could I forget Florence?

Florence + The Machine - Cosmic Love - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIeUlvHAiM&feature=artistob&playnext=1&list=TL-yzSTvvENe0)

~BB~

[runningdownthatdream]

Townes Van Zandt - Black Jack Mama - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paBzw2Biq-A&feature=BFa&list=AVGxdCwVVULXcEdVdowebS6iLiHat242Cg&lf=list_related)
Tom Rush - Cocaine - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLRF9LKU-iA&feature=related)
John Saw That Number - Neko Case - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peHVjXcdzc4)

[Quiet Reflections]

If they(any artist) were more famous they wouldn't be the same artists. Fame seems to kill musicians and their creative process.

Mac Miller - Nikes On My Feet - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-rqu-hjobc&feature=relmfu)
song start at about 2:00

[Quiet Reflections]

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - "The Golden Age". - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiQj0o8BOYw)
Tegan And Sara - Call It Off (Video) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hC_p5oDMgc)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N--QcaqrkaE)

[robertlouis]

Townes Van Zandt - Black Jack Mama - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paBzw2Biq-A&feature=BFa&list=AVGxdCwVVULXcEdVdowebS6iLiHat242Cg&lf=list_related)
Tom Rush - Cocaine - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLRF9LKU-iA&feature=related)
John Saw That Number - Neko Case - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peHVjXcdzc4)

I salute your excellent taste in music, sir. :claps:claps:claps

If I added, say, Steve Earle, Richard Thompson, Bonnie Prince Billy and PJ Harvey to the mix?

[TSCURIOUS]

Elvis Costello - Under Rated?????
Huh?

[Quiet Reflections]

Lykke Li - Get Some - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TTPGAy5H_E)
boss - recipe of a hoe - Born Gangstaz - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6JS7G_HEsY)
Yael Naim - A New Soul - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8wpdr-YbbU&feature=related)
Yael Naim - Toxic - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETh0Kfxk2BY&feature=related)

[Quiet Reflections]

Elvis Costello - Under Rated?????
Huh?
I don't know anyone else that would say that. Most people think hes up there with the greats and for good reason.

[runningdownthatdream]

If they(any artist) were more famous they wouldn't be the same artists. Fame seems to kill musicians and their creative process.

Mac Miller - Nikes On My Feet - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-rqu-hjobc&feature=relmfu)
song start at about 2:00

That was nice.........

[runningdownthatdream]

I salute your excellent taste in music, sir. :claps:claps:claps

If I added, say, Steve Earle, Richard Thompson, Bonnie Prince Billy and PJ Harvey to the mix?

You'd be righteous indeed! and here's some more for you....

Alvin "Youngblood" Hart Sway - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izJW32cOGwQ&feature=related)

ELISA GILKYSON-"BEAUTY WAY" - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qji4ybePYWI&feature=related)

Blaze Foley - Cold, Cold World - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaYEVKBCk1c&feature=related)

Your turn.............

[buckjohnson]

most of these artists are "underrated" for a reason..lack of talent and orginality. One person was so off key it hurt my head.

[Quiet Reflections]

most of these artists are "underrated" for a reason..lack of talent and orginality. One person was so off key it hurt my head.
which one?

[buckjohnson]

naim and florence and the machine

[BellaBellucci]

Elvis Costello - Under Rated?????
Huh?

OK, maybe not. He's more like underexposed. I hardly ever hear him on the radio anymore.

~BB~

[runningdownthatdream]

naim and florence and the machine

Still sounded damn good......maybe you're thinking about the music instead of feeling it.......you a musician?

[loveboof]

Mac Miller - Nikes On My Feet - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-rqu-hjobc&feature=relmfu)
song start at about 2:00
My fav part was at about 4:35 when it faded out and I felt like a smart person again lol.

His blue suede shoes stay crispy like bacon? ... And he reckons he should get a degree for those lyrics?! :P

Obscurity will welcome him like a long lost friend... Don't you have to get rated to be underrated?

[Quiet Reflections]

My fav part was at about 4:35 when it faded out and I felt like a smart person again lol.

His blue suede shoes stay crispy like bacon? ... And he reckons he should get a degree for those lyrics?! :P

Obscurity will welcome him like a long lost friend... Don't you have to get rated to be underrated?
He could have said fresh but crispy worked with the style of the song. He does well emulating the old school new york hip hop sound. It's not for everybody, I don't expect people to like everything I do. Next time I'll put up some TRex for guys across the pond. Anyway, as long as you feel smart Im happy.

[Quiet Reflections]

20th Century Boy - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylww2dOW7fg)

[loveboof]

He could have said fresh but crispy worked with the style of the song. He does well emulating the old school new york hip hop sound. It's not for everybody, I don't expect people to like everything I do. Next time I'll put up some TRex for guys across the pond. Anyway, as long as you feel smart Im happy.

lol. Nah keep posting prepubescent gangsta's rapping about their shoes... Might start to grow on me...

I don't think there's anything you can say about British music after posting that shite, but I'd welcome a few T Rex classics when you get round to it ;)

[Quiet Reflections]

lol. Nah keep posting prepubescent gangsta's rapping about their shoes... Might start to grow on me...

I don't think there's anything you can say about British music after posting that shite, but I'd welcome a few T Rex classics when you get round to it ;)
just because he raps doesn't mean hes a gangster but maybe every upper middle class suburban kid is a tough guy to you,I don't know. I don't care if it grows on you or not the kid has some talent and fits in the underrated category even if it's not your thing. You can't possibly think all british music is good rap or otherwise. I think they have proven themselves quite capable of putting out shitty music as well.

[Merkurie]

Scott Stapp
Scott Stapp voice of CREED - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnxoXavMQIk&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL2FC69595BDDB0EB1)

Yes it is possible to be an underated rock star.
The doors & Scott Stapp - Riders on the storm - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dluxUtK2yqk&feature=related)

[OmarZ]

Omar Suleyman, the Borat of music... i am his Agent, we are going after GaGa


omar souleyman hassake halay-by isa zaxoyi - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhLlOBzTTls)

Omar Souleyman - "Leh Jani" - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgRUHIeaKOk)

Omar Souleyman - Haram - عمر سليمان - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFKu2teTnZM)

[Willie Escalade]

William Escalade

[loveboof]

just because he raps doesn't mean hes a gangster but maybe every upper middle class suburban kid is a tough guy to you,I don't know. I don't care if it grows on you or not the kid has some talent and fits in the underrated category even if it's not your thing. You can't possibly think all british music is good rap or otherwise. I think they have proven themselves quite capable of putting out shitty music as well.

Omg you're right... He's not a gangster at all is he! Well
I'm glad you pointed that out :) (spoiler: maybe he's an ironical 'gangsta')

I know full well that there's a load of crap British music. I have to listen to it every day!

Sorry, but there is absolutely nothing special about that kid to mark him out as underrated.

[Quiet Reflections]

Omg you're right... He's not a gangster at all is he! Well
I'm glad you pointed that out :) (spoiler: maybe he's an ironical 'gangsta')

I know full well that there's a load of crap British music. I have to listen to it every day!

Sorry, but there is absolutely nothing special about that kid to mark him out as underrated.
Isn't that what being underrated is all about? Having the skill but having people sleep on your talent. Thanks for proving my point

[Prospero]

Quiet reflections. I WISH more people thought Elvis C was up there. He's been one of the best for decades yet doesn't sell that much and is too often dismissed as a musical diletannte because his interests span the whole field from jazz and classical to hard driving rock and much between.

This is GREAT strand I'll post my list of the underrated later. No time now. But Running down the dream got three key names... and Robert Louis' list amplifies that. More anon.

See the Steve Earle track I posted yesterday to What Are you Listening to Now?

[buckjohnson]

this music is really horrible

[loveboof]

Isn't that what being underrated is all about? Having the skill but having people sleep on your talent. Thanks for proving my point

We disagree about the skill and talent part though Quiet, so I don't think I'll be proving any of your points today...

(I was being a bit antagonistic, but it was light hearted - no need to get too defensive. I genuinely do not rate that dude though lol)

[runningdownthatdream]

We disagree about the skill and talent part though Quiet, so I don't think I'll be proving any of your points today...

(I was being a bit antagonistic, but it was light hearted - no need to get too defensive. I genuinely do not rate that dude though lol)

The kid has a nice flow - he's quite young so his lyrics aren't developed. Maybe you can contribute to the thread by posting an artist you think is underrated?

[Quiet Reflections]

We disagree about the skill and talent part though Quiet, so I don't think I'll be proving any of your points today...

(I was being a bit antagonistic, but it was light hearted - no need to get too defensive. I genuinely do not rate that dude though lol)
That disagreement itself is the definition of being underrated(just like not wearing clothes is just like being under dressed ). The internet isn't that serious dude so don't think for a second that a brief conversation about a guy I don't know is going to rattle my cage in the slightest.

[Quiet Reflections]

Quiet reflections. I WISH more people thought Elvis C was up there. He's been one of the best for decades yet doesn't sell that much and is too often dismissed as a musical diletannte because his interests span the whole field from jazz and classical to hard driving rock and much between.

This is GREAT strand I'll post my list of the underrated later. No time now. But Running down the dream got three key names... and Robert Louis' list amplifies that. More anon.

See the Steve Earle track I posted yesterday to What Are you Listening to Now?
I have always liked Elvis Costello but his wife is really great to me. I love Diana Krall's voice.

[loveboof]

The kid has a nice flow - he's quite young so his lyrics aren't developed. Maybe you can contribute to the thread by posting an artist you think is underrated?
Yeah I'm happy to, but can't so easily from my phone which is what I'm on right now..


That disagreement itself is the definition of being underrated(just like not wearing clothes is just like being under dressed ). The internet isn't that serious dude so don't think for a second that a brief conversation about a guy I don't know is going to rattle my cage in the slightest.
The definition of underrated is if someone doesn't get enough recognition for their work. Not that some people think they're shit, and others like them.

That could make them contrary or perhaps controversial, but for someone to be underrated they have to be fairly accepted as good first.

[Quiet Reflections]

Yeah I'm happy to, but can't so easily from my phone which is what I'm on right now..


The definition of underrated is if someone is under valued, or that they don't get enough recognition for their work. Not that some people think they're shit, and others like them.

That could make them contrary or perhaps controversial, but for someone to be underrated they have to be fairly widely accepted as good first.
Every single person in the world has people that think they are good and some that think they are shit. So by you definition nobody can be underrated . No musician is liked by everyone(none). What is widely accepted? If a guy has millions of views on you tube, a record deal,90 percent of the people rating his stuff like it, is that widely accepted? I bet he does quite well on Itunes.

[Prospero]

Buck... you didn't say WHICH music was really horrible.

[loveboof]

Every single person in the world has people that think they are good and some that think they are shit. So by you definition nobody can be underrated . No musician is liked by everyone(none). What is widely accepted? If a guy has millions of views on you tube, a record deal,90 percent of the people rating his stuff like it, is that widely accepted? I bet he does quite well on Itunes.

If that kid has all those things then he is already incredibly overrated mate.

Let's just keep this simple. An underrated performer is someone who doesn't receive enough recognition for their talent.

Like it or not, Mac Miller (unknown to me until yesterday) is already punching well above his weight on the fame game. Before long he will seep back down into obscurity having made a little pocket money, and perhaps move into the background of the music scene if he genuinely has any passion for what he does.

That's not all bad - Good luck to him. You're having a laugh if you think he's underrated though! He is heavily mediocre, and looks like one for the kiddies to bounce their ipodded heads along to.

[Quiet Reflections]

If that kid has all those things then he is already incredibly overrated mate.

Let's just keep this simple. An underrated performer is someone who doesn't receive enough recognition for their talent.

Like it or not, Mac Miller (unknown to me until yesterday) is already punching well above his weight on the fame game. Before long he will seep back down into obscurity having made a little pocket money, and perhaps move into the background of the music scene if he genuinely has any passion for what he does.

That's not all bad - Good luck to him. You're having a laugh if you think he's underrated though! He is heavily mediocre, and looks like one for the kiddies to bounce their ipodded heads along to.
you are right. he will never be really famous and in a few years nobody will know who he is but unless you listen to that type of music I don't think you can really say he has no talent.I also wouldn't expect you to have heard of him when not much of his own country has either. I get it you don't like him but millions of people disagree with you. And really isnt all music for people to bob their heads to "kiddies" or otherwise.

[loveboof]

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. In Britain woefully unknown - but totally class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YutsXRzQjck
____________________

I think Free are one of the most underrated bands! Admittedly well known for their famous tracks, but they can also boast a wealth of consistently brilliant material on all albums.

Not to mention genuinely talented musicians (Andy Fraser, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers etc)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGZeh7MCTPc
_____________________

Steven Wilson would be my next pick. Obviously widely respected as a producer, but his solo material is often quite haunting and beautiful. (Check out his Porcupine Tree stuff)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BClzBQmZZBc
______________________

Ben Kenney; previously guitarist with The Roots and current bass player with Incubus.

Plays every instrument on his solo albums - vocals, guitar, bass, drums. And all of them done amazingly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47fzpzNOcw0&feature=related

[Prospero]

Quiet reflections has a point about individual taste. But I do thnk there are performers who simply don't get the attetnion their talent warrants.
Jazz musicians like Evan Christopher - for me the best clarient player I ever heard. His concert in London earlier this year was woefully sparsely attended.
Dick Hyman - elderly jazz piano player who was musical director for most of Woody Allen's film. I've seen him a few times in NYC and he can play any piano style in music - beautfully and movingly. (His best known composition is Shadowlands which was recorded by k d laing.)

The Cuban jazz ensemble Irakere.

Anna Netrebko - Russian soprano. She doesn't do opop duets and the like so isn't noticed in the way that lesser voices are.

Most Middle Eastern music is little heard in the West. Wonderful performers like Fairouz - she has the voice of an angel - and the Iranian singers Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat. And the late great Yemenite/Israeli singer Ofra Haza.

Singer/songwriters. Steve Earle has been mentioned, Mary Gauthier and k d laing are both great gay singers but transcend that totally with brilliant songwriting. There is a great American blues singer working now that never ever seems to get reviewed. Shemakia Copeland - she has a mighty voice.

British folk singers - try The Unthanks (very original take on english folk) Show Of Hands which robertlouis introduced me to via this site and the Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis.

And one famous name who is really underated I think Dusty Springfield - the best white soul singer England ever produced.

[Quiet Reflections]

Quiet reflections has a point about individual taste. But I do thnk there are performers who simply don't get the attetnion their talent warrants.
Jazz musicians like Evan Christopher - for me the best clarient player I ever heard. His concert in London earlier this year was woefully sparsely attended.
Dick Hyman - elderly jazz piano player who was musical director for most of Woody Allen's film. I've seen him a few times in NYC and he can play any piano style in music - beautfully and movingly. (His best known composition is Shadowlands which was recorded by k d laing.)

The Cuban jazz ensemble Irakere.

Anna Netrebko - Russian soprano. She doesn't do opop duets and the like so isn't noticed in the way that lesser voices are.

Most Middle Eastern music is little heard in the West. Wonderful performers like Fayuz - she has the voice of an angel - and the Iranian singers Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat. And the late great Yemenite/Israeli singer Ofra Haza.

Singer/songwriters. Steve Earle has been mentioned, Mary Gauthier and k d laing are both great gay singers but transcend that totally with brilliant songwriting. There is a great American blues singer working now that never ever seems to get reviewed. Shemakia Copeland - she has a mighty voice.

British folk singers - try The Unthanks (very original take on english folk) Show Of Hands which robertlouis introduced me to via this site and the Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis.

And one famous name who is really underated I think Dusty Springfield - the best white soul singer England ever produced.
I love Dusty Springfield. "Spooky" is one of my favorite songs. Im going to have to Google some of the other ones you mentioned.

[loveboof]

British folk singers - try The Unthanks

yeah they're great.

Check out Monsters of Folk (not English, but still good)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgLI2OkECmc

[Prospero]

Thanks for that loveboof.
Here is Shemakia Copeland.

Shemekia Copeland ~ The Other Woman Fort Worth 4-17-09 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyZsH87uGnc)

[Prospero]

anna netrebko

http://video.sina.com.cn/v/b/58089710-2142811802.html

http://www.juzp.net/lpT836GCETs6H

[Quiet Reflections]

yeah they're great.

Check out Monsters of Folk (not English, but still good)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgLI2OkECmc
They are really good. seen them live once.

I really like these guys too. both great live
Keller Williams - "Love Handles" - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4pU3_Ia97E)
Yonder Mountain String Band "Southbound" Live at KDHX 12/30/2010 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOBSGComSuI)

[Stavros]

I'd like to put in a good word for two film actors: 1) Peter Sarsgaard -he was in Boys Don't Cry and Jarhead, and I don't believe he has ever given a poor performance, he doesn't usually play the lead role, but is one of those actors who makes a film work by giving it depth. If I saw that he was in a new film, I would go and see it because of him; 2) Ann Heche is another underrated performer, she has matured as the years have gone on and was outstanding in the film Birth where she outplayed Nicole Kidman just by blinking. If I see she is in a film I am keen to see it.

Sarsgaard:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0765597/bio

Heche:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000162/bio

[Prospero]

You're right as Peter Sarsgaard. Jarhead was an underrated film in itself. Haven't seen An Heche. On the film front I have a probe with the notion of underrated. For me the best films almost always do little at the box office, but are sometimes given critical acclaim.

So what is the measure of underrated exactly?

[Scottish_Guy]

Sucioperro - one of fave bands but they are very unknown - very tight and the lad can sing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzZ_itAS-_0

Some might know the lead singer from Marmaduke duke:)

[Prospero]

Fairouz

Wa Habibi, Good Friday Hymn sung by Fairouz - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hduXnCao4I)

[Stavros]

Underrated in film is a difficult one -its the question about 'supporting roles' where there are times when the supporting roles are doing better than the lead -Anne Heche being an example in the film Birth. I think some of the best films have that status precisely because the 'supporting roles' are played as well as the leads -for some reason I am thinking of Casablanca and The Big Sleep -two of Bogart's finest films, but there isn't a duff performance by any of the supports and that gives the films breadth and depth. So its about giving more limelight and recognition to 'supporting roles', because it is the performances of the leads that is rated higher than the supports when it comes to judging the film; and this may not be fair to the Heche's and Sarsgaards of this industry.

[loveboof]

Obviously Stanley Jordan:

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMSh0pF_P4U&feature=related

[maxpower]

The Feelies are a fantastic American rock band, and one of my favorite bands of all. Their first album was released in 1980, and they just released an album earlier this year, their first in 20 years. They are from Haledon, NJ, and their sound is in that New York underground vein. They are definitely influenced by The Velvet Underground, but are very much their own band with their own style, and in turn have influenced other bands, such as The Strokes. They are fucking incredible live. Film director Jonathan Demme is a big fan of theirs. The Feelies made an appearance in his flim Something Wild, as the band at the high school reunion, billed as The Willies. This is a performance from 1988.

the feelies - deep fascination - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQsPcqWx9ek)

[Scottish_Guy]

Fairouz

Wa Habibi, Good Friday Hymn sung by Fairouz - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hduXnCao4I)

Beautiful mate:Bowdown:

[runningdownthatdream]

Fairouz

Wa Habibi, Good Friday Hymn sung by Fairouz - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hduXnCao4I)

Fairouz is quite famous in the Arabic world though.... kinda like the late Abdel Halim Hafez who was the Arabic Sinatra of his day:

Ahwak - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMpj23K3gso&feature=related)

A lot of great singers from the middle east that we don't hear too much about on this side of the world. Natacha Atlas for one:

Natacha Atlas - "Leysh Nat'Arak" - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx_DcK4tAyU&feature=related)

Though not middle eastern music, Jai Uttal based out of the US has some fantastic music and:

Jai Uttal - 'Guru Bramha' - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vUb2HthELc&feature=related)

[Lancet_ATL]

Hellacopters - Soulseller - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io49sQnk1wU&feature=related)

[Willie Escalade]

Obviously Stanley Jordan
Real talk here!

[Dino Velvet]

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow with Dio and even much of the Joe Lynn Turner stuff was very underrated.

Rainbow - Stargazer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6W7jMURpGU)

Rainbow - Gates Of Babylon - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu8HiZepRWo&ob=av3n)

Rainbow - L. A. Connection - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biE0zdEKn5A&feature=relmfu)

Rainbow - stone cold - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WukfC-6Gpc)

[GentsPreferTS]

he late great Yemenite/Israeli singer Ofra Haza.



Ofra Haza is legendary! :Bowdown: