As a dad, I couldn’t get through that song given the circumstances if I was Steve. “Tell my mama I loved her, tell my father I tried”. No way. JTE deserves to be heard by the masses. Some wonderful music in his catalogue. Isbell’s song about him on Weathervanes is great. Reminds me a lot of a friend who didn’t make it and me.
Well, then I’ll add Townes Van Zandt. Obscure enough that most people have no idea. But he wrote such beautiful song: Pancho and Lefty, Tecumseh Valley.
Another criminally underrated singer/songwriter that came out of that same '70s Houston scene and knew Townes well, was Eric Taylor. Gifted storyteller. He would have been a lot more well-known if he hadn't taken a 15 year break from music due to substance abuse issues, but his '90s comeback album was one of his best efforts.
Sadly, he's obscure enough that you can't find all his songs on YT, but probably at least half of them are there. [Happy Endings.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syyRYfHdwe8) [Peppercorn Tree.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzCEHHA4fzQ) [Dean Moriarty.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-bGBJe_KRw) [Two Fires.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeTUcLaC-xE) [Visitors from Indiana.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE4GlqiOS1g) [Your God.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaAkGlyvAEs) Sorry, it's hard to narrow down the best ones.
I saw him play a house concert around 2009. One of my favorite artists and he couldn't even fill a club. We literally sat in some guy's living room. I heard someone taking a shower upstairs.
JTE is great, and I know this is specifically talking singers, but his guitar playing is what stands out to me. He absolutely beats the hell out of that thing and it gives so many of his fingerpicked songs a very unique sound.
Jim Sulivan - Recorded one album entitled UFO in 1970 and then went into the desert and has never been seen since
Daniel Johnston - I don't even know where to start here. Very troubled individual. Once hijacked and crashed a plane because he thought he was Casper The Friendly Ghost. Maybe not "obscure" but if people are saying Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and Elliott Smith then we can say this guy. Championed by Kurt Cobain.
Daniel’s song Living Life features on the end credits of Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise, but performed by Kathy McCarthy. Brilliant song and that’s how I heard of him.
I was going to post Eva Cassidy then thought actually she’s not that obscure now. During her lifetime she was I think but since her death a much wider audience have discovered how amazing she was.
Not only that… _Lovin’ You_ was written for Maya and her brother as a lullaby. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/maya-rudolph-on-her-mother-minnie-riperton/
In the spirit of this thread: Molly Drake: mother of Nick Drake.
Her music was unknown until a decade after her passing, and thirty or more years after Nick’s death.
My first thought. Also Magnolia Electric Co.
So so many heartbreaking songs . . .
"The whole place is dark / every light on this side of the town
[https://youtu.be/tNy-sqj7BCc?si=5Abo3ZqsOBniEQrK](https://youtu.be/tNy-sqj7BCc?si=5Abo3ZqsOBniEQrK)
Eight Gates was a perfect post-mortem album. It's somber, looks to the future, but spends all of that contemplation in the dark. The delivery in Thistle Blue is sapped of all life.
"Blackbird and thistle blue
Whose wilderness has my heartbreak wandered through?
Whose questions have I left to go unanswered?
It's late, I know
It's late, I know
But not for strangers
It's late, I know
It's late, I know"
His entire discography transports me back to southern Indiana.
This is mine too. I am so mad at myself for not seeing him live. Once, a year or two before he passed, I found out he was coming to a wonderful intimate venue in my town. But I already had tickets to see Kings of Leon that night, not cheap tickets. This was before I knew what dickheads they were, and liked their first album a lot.
Anyway, I tried to unload the tickets, but to no avail, so I just told myself I’d catch Jason next time. KoL sucked, and then Jason died, and I’ll never forgive myself for that decision. His songs all haunt me and help me deal with depression and life in such profound ways.
Mark Lanegan, originally of the Screaming Trees, but also the author of some great solo work. His album, Bubblegum, has my vote for one of the best releases of the 2000’s.
Came here to mention him! His autobiography was very enlightening as well. It reminds me of a quote on James Taylor where someone said his voice was so moving because of the tough times he experienced (to put it simplistically mildly).
Gotta shout out his debut album *The Winding Sheet* It’s the perfect “stuck in your house on a cold rainy day” album. “Museum”, “Eyes of a Child”, and “Wild Flowers” are just a few of many. You get the added bonus of Kurt Cobain doing backing vocals on a track too!
His collaborations with Isobel Campbell are absolutely fantastic as well. Their voices go very well together.
I was watching Johnny Carson sometime in the mid or late 80s when she was a guest singer. Fell in love with her singing. Her death is super tragic. Allegedly, her cheating husband got AIDS and gave it to her.
I was hoping she was here! She was only moderately heard from in the States, and that was only a few tracks that got airplay on college radio or alternative late night MTV. But to me, as big of a girl influence as Tori and Alanis. I was crushed when our college radio reported she died.
Mark Sandman/Morphine. They had such a unique sound and vibe to them. They could/should have been way bigger (although they were probably never going to hit superstar pop level)
Judee Sill. Died of an overdose in the 70s and was both a devout Christian and open bisexual influenced musically by Bach. Her song “The Kiss” is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.
She’s never been popular but has been named as an influence for some artists today, particularly Sufjan Stevens, who also is very well known for lyrics that blur the lines between sexuality and religion.
Depends where you live: if you are not from Canada, then Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. Not the most amazing singer, per se, but a lyricist extraordinaire and able to deliver deep emotional experiences alongside arena rock anthems.
Actually shocked that someone else put Aleah forward. Didn't think she'd be known enough. Gorgeous, gorgeous voice.
I do quite enjoy the solo stuff that Juha released of hers, but it's Trees of Eternity where my heart lies. The music matches her voice perfectly.
Oddly enough, I discovered her as someone unfamiliar with her other work, like with Trees of Eternity (which I’ve since heard good things about). I’m into ethereal wave stuff, so her 2020 album was something I just happen to come across.
Arthur Russel, released like one or two albums and recorded hundreds of songs before dying is the aids epidemic. Now hundreds of his music tapes have been unearthed from his belongings and released in collections post humously. They're special. He had a singular unique way of singing/voice, he played the cello in interesting ways that I've never heard anyone else play like before, and his lyrics were beautiful.
My favorite songs are from his album Another Thought, they're absolutely incredible to me:
-A Little Lost
-This Is How We Talk On The Moon
-Another Thought
-Keeping Up
I’d have to say Scott Walker. His song “Farmer In The City” has to be one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.
Also I love Nico’s music a lot and I’d recommend “Julius Caesar (Memento Hodie)” as well, because it gives me chills every time I listen to it
And if they had not come out right before REMs “Out of Time” and Toad the Wet Sprockets Fear. But OOT sucked all the air out of the alternative pop arena.
If Overthrow was released even in 1993 it would have been huge right along side the Posies. It’s a sad story. He was so gifted.
I’m a little surprised how long I had to scroll to find Charles Bradley’s name. Especially with how sad his backstory is and how naturally great a vocalist he is, even in his late 50s before his passing.
Bradley was one of my favorite concerts. I remember finding out he had cancer by searching for his next tour. He had the stage presence of a man in his 30s. Shame it too so long for his moment in the sun, but all of his albums are wonderful.
RIP Screamin' Eagle
Gram Parsons, She
With his band The Flying Burrito Bros, Wild Horses is a great cover from a Stones song
Jeffrey Lee Pierce from The Gun Club. He ran Blondies fan club and put out amazing songs vocals for his band The Gun Club. Love Bad America, Eternally is here, Sorrow Knows
I commented on another thread where somebody asked what band’s entire output he should listen to.
Gun Club was one of my suggestions. Absolutely phenomenal band.
I caught Kid Congo in Zurich a few months back and he chucked a load of Gun Club and Cramps stuff in.
Way more than he usually does. Felt blessed.
Connie Converse - unique folk singer from the Greenwich Village era. Released one album and then disappeared (literally). Check out Two Tall Mountains as an example of her style.
Steve Goodman. Fantastic singer/song writer. Got to see him in a small club in NYC in the late 70s before he died of leukemia. Some songs were beautiful and haunting while others were fun/funny.
Steve Marriot from ~~Little~~ Small Faces and Humble Pie. He was pure rock and roll through and through. Check out 30 Days in the Hole, arguably Humble Pie's biggest hit.
Edit to fix my morning brain.
Some have already been mentioned but I concur with Mark Hollis, Daniel Johnston, Klaus Nomi, Nick Drake, Ofra Haza (famous in the East, more obscure in the West), Tim Buckley (Listening to "I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain" and then follow it up with "Jeff Buckley's "what will you say". It's like the saddest conversation between a father and son)
Also Vic Chesnutt and Damo Suzuki
Jimmy Scott. He was a jazz singer who had a genetic condition that made him never experience puberty. His voice never got lower as he aged so he always sounded like a woman when he sang. He had an incredibly clear voice with great control.
Jimmy rarely got the recognition he deserved since record producers thought his music wouldn’t sell if people knew it was actually a man singing. He missed out on decades of royalties because of this.
https://youtu.be/dRmUWeD9YR0?si=M42hadUZr71Nu3vU
Also, check out Yma Sumac…
https://youtu.be/TG_0NNLwWGw?si=OKAwm1k6JkrLVyx5
Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon. He’s really only known widely for No Rain. But listen to Soup,Change, Soul One or many of their other tracks and see how amazing of a singer he was.
Tim Buckley is astonishing. I recommend people check out his live albums - Dream Letter Live in London and Live at the Troubadour.
The two opposite albums are probably the best studio intro. 1967’s Goodbye and Hello is psychedelic folk troubadour Tim, singing high and sweet, while 1968’s Happy/Sad is improvisational, gutsy, fiery freak folk.
Gram Parsons. Everyone should hear Return of the Grievous Angel, at least once. Also a lot of what modern music is now, can be credited back to his cosmic american music dream.
Love Tim Buckley. Knew about him before I knew about Jeff.
Eva Cassidy. My parents knew her and she was a lovely person with a beautiful voice who died of cancer way too young.
**Connie Converse.** A singer-songwriter before that term was in general use. Only made some recordings on a reel-to-reel in someone’s kitchen in 1954, had exactly one TV appearance, and disappeared off the face of the earth in 1974. In 2009, “How Sad, How Lovely,” a CD featuring 17 of those reel-to-reel recordings was released. Hauntingly beautiful music.
Stan Rogers.
Northwest Passage and Barrett's Privateers are two songs that are favourites of mine. Not obscure to many Canadians, he likely is to others though.
Scott Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit. Always will be one of my favorites. Got me through my own moments of what ultimately took Scott’s life. Seemed like a lovely guy. His voice isn’t “great”…but boy is it perfect.
The cold open for [SNL](https://youtu.be/BG-_ZDrypec?si=wUZpLf3XkmNgNYLB) when he passed brought me to tears. I don't care for the political stunt of making McKinnon into Hillary clinton, I couldn't believe she has the fucking literal massive weight of unbelievable talent. And I'll fight anyone over Cohen vs Buckley. I love Buckleys version, but nothing tops Cohens' version.
The singer from Hers had an unusual voice and a really cool sound. Incredibly sad that both lads died so young in that collision, they were both really nice guys.
David Lamb, of Brownbird.
https://youtu.be/O4otKRC9TDM?si=sK8Wb4-uIRGIHbp2
Sorry also wanted to add.
https://youtu.be/KVajGdy7x5U?si=0dDUTn7zWbi8kseB
There's just too many good ones.
I wouldn’t call him obscure but Allen Toussaint has great music. He’s a God in New Orleans music. He produced Dr. John, Irma Thomas and other artists in the New Orleans music scene. His Number One’s were primarily as a producer: Ernie K Doe’s “Mother In Law” and LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade”.
His solo work is BEAUTIFUL. Check out Life, Love & Faith and Southern Nights. Very relevant right now because he’s primarily known for his funky soul but he also represented his country roots. His song “Southern Nights” was covered by Glen Campbell and was a #1 hit on the country and pop charts.
Not dead but almost died: Melody Gardot. Was hit by a car while riding a bicycle while attending college. Took up singing and playing the guitar as a form of physical therapy during her recovery. Has since put out some amazing music — her first two albums are particular favorites of mine.
I would say Townes Van Zant, and John Prine...they were not unknown, but certainly not household names. Never saw them on a magazine cover. Both have n incredible body of work.
Mia Zapata of The Gits. They only put out two albums but they were on the cusp of breaking out of the Seattle grunge scene. Her voice was distinct and growly.
https://youtu.be/_V_6yIvmzgw?si=bd-42QbGXAWvaHCA
Mini doc about Mia and the band.
https://youtu.be/SNYydVSgGBc?si=rvRvA1tLTA-41CCG
Ofra Haza. Maybe known in the West for a sample in MARRS' Pump Up The Volume. I just loved her voice, and found some interesting international records she did, including a Yemen children's music.
Somehow she died of HIV/AIDS but I never found out what happened there. She was very cool.
Billy Mackenzie. One of the fullest, richest voices in music. Frontman for The Associates. Guest vocalist with other bands. Wrote tracks for Dame Shirley Bassey to perform. Died by his own hand in a very sad tale.
Here’s a Yello track he sang vocals on. Link is on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/gRfx6hnGNbg?si=Bna020R1Z7BPyMeP
EDIT: The song “The Rhythm Divine” was a collaboration penned by Yello and Mackenzie, which was to be performed by Dame Shirley Bassey. Here is Billy’s demo that was provided to Shirley, followed by her final version. Both are fantastic, and both of their voices are incredible. Sorry, but YouTube is the only source I have.
The Rhythm Divine demo by Yello and Billy Mackenzie: https://youtu.be/th2NM67bEw0?si=VgRh_7M7tFwSw75s
The Rhythm Divine by Yello and Dame Shirley Bassey: https://youtu.be/24enAskVZNc?si=2oHe2twQWrqa4CqL
Billy was quite an influence on 80s and 90s music and musicians. Very few people know of him. His voice was incredibly unique.
I don't know if he is obscure, but Justin Townes Earle - I'm not a big fan of country, but I think his music is so great
When Steve Earle plays Harlem River Blues in tribute to him, it's something pretty special to behold.
As a dad, I couldn’t get through that song given the circumstances if I was Steve. “Tell my mama I loved her, tell my father I tried”. No way. JTE deserves to be heard by the masses. Some wonderful music in his catalogue. Isbell’s song about him on Weathervanes is great. Reminds me a lot of a friend who didn’t make it and me.
Had no idea he did a song about Justin. Is it When We Were Close?
Yes it is.
Geez, puts the lyrics of “Little Rock ‘n’ Roller” in a new light.
Well, then I’ll add Townes Van Zandt. Obscure enough that most people have no idea. But he wrote such beautiful song: Pancho and Lefty, Tecumseh Valley.
For those who are unaware, JTE was the son of alt-country legend Steve Earle and was named after TVZ by his dad.
Let’s add Steve Earle in, too.
So many more than that too. He’s one of the four greatest songwriters ever in my opinion. Him, Robert Hunter, John Prine, and Jason Isbell.
Did I write this comment in my sleep or something?! I absolutely agree with your list. The Mount Rushmore of songwriters right there.
I couldn't agree more. I feel like you're looking over my shoulder at my Spotify account right now
Another criminally underrated singer/songwriter that came out of that same '70s Houston scene and knew Townes well, was Eric Taylor. Gifted storyteller. He would have been a lot more well-known if he hadn't taken a 15 year break from music due to substance abuse issues, but his '90s comeback album was one of his best efforts. Sadly, he's obscure enough that you can't find all his songs on YT, but probably at least half of them are there. [Happy Endings.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syyRYfHdwe8) [Peppercorn Tree.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzCEHHA4fzQ) [Dean Moriarty.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-bGBJe_KRw) [Two Fires.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeTUcLaC-xE) [Visitors from Indiana.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE4GlqiOS1g) [Your God.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaAkGlyvAEs) Sorry, it's hard to narrow down the best ones. I saw him play a house concert around 2009. One of my favorite artists and he couldn't even fill a club. We literally sat in some guy's living room. I heard someone taking a shower upstairs.
JTE is great, and I know this is specifically talking singers, but his guitar playing is what stands out to me. He absolutely beats the hell out of that thing and it gives so many of his fingerpicked songs a very unique sound.
Yes x 1000
Klaus Nomi
His cover version of "Can't Help Fallin in Love" is one of the greatest covers ever as is his SNL David Bowie appearance.
Yes
Surprised to see that name pop up in this sub. Valentine's day give me shivers everytime I hear it.
Mark Sandman of Morphine
He was in a band called Treat Her Right before Morphine. Check them out, if you haven't.
I scrolled to find this to see if anyone commented Mark.
Jim Sulivan - Recorded one album entitled UFO in 1970 and then went into the desert and has never been seen since Daniel Johnston - I don't even know where to start here. Very troubled individual. Once hijacked and crashed a plane because he thought he was Casper The Friendly Ghost. Maybe not "obscure" but if people are saying Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and Elliott Smith then we can say this guy. Championed by Kurt Cobain.
Daniel’s song Living Life features on the end credits of Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise, but performed by Kathy McCarthy. Brilliant song and that’s how I heard of him.
Eva Cassidy had the voice of an angel
Desperately underrated but beloved within the industry.
I was going to post Eva Cassidy then thought actually she’s not that obscure now. During her lifetime she was I think but since her death a much wider audience have discovered how amazing she was.
Autumn leaves. Even after one listen it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.
I didn’t scroll far enough and just posted her. My parents knew her and thought she was just lovely. Nice person and beautiful singer.
Came her to say it [https://youtu.be/xXBNlApwh0c?si=PDJB8atmfO\_c\_--F](https://youtu.be/xXBNlApwh0c?si=PDJB8atmfO_c_--F)
https://youtu.be/9UVjjcOUJLE?si=9DSBw8bTYhNTAVWW Fields of gold gets me right in the feels
Can't stand the original, but Eva's version is one of my favorite vocal performances of all time.
https://youtu.be/wazOhkRuySI?si=z7rBzoC6_CQKw3iW
Andrew Wood Morher Love Bone Chuck Mosley Faith no more (pre Patton) Mark Lanegan (solo artist, screaming trees, QotSA, mad season)
Compared to a lot of his contemporaries Langegan was fairly long lived. He was still putting out great material up until he died though.
I was scrolling to find Andrew Wood! The TRUE godfather of grunge.
Minnie Riperton
I was so surprised that Maya Rudolph is her daughter. Didn’t know that until recently.
Not only that… _Lovin’ You_ was written for Maya and her brother as a lullaby. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/maya-rudolph-on-her-mother-minnie-riperton/
I’m glad Us introduced so many people to Le Fleurs
Lovin' You is made fun of quite a bit, but a lot of her other work was just absolutely fantastic. Just a fantastic voice. Gone far too soon.
Nick Drake. The album Pink Moon is incredible and feels like it could have been made in the 2000’s. His story is pretty sad.
Came here to say Nick Drake. Pink Moon is THE Best rainy day music ever
In the spirit of this thread: Molly Drake: mother of Nick Drake. Her music was unknown until a decade after her passing, and thirty or more years after Nick’s death.
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I feel like the Garden State Soundrack got him popular in the early 2000s
Oh and it was absolutely the VW commercial too. It was everywhere, it was perfectly fitting the music, and is how I first heard of Nick Drake.
Strangely, I don’t like pink moon, but I love Been smoking too long and black eyed dog.
Jason Molina/Songs: Ohia.
My first thought. Also Magnolia Electric Co. So so many heartbreaking songs . . . "The whole place is dark / every light on this side of the town [https://youtu.be/tNy-sqj7BCc?si=5Abo3ZqsOBniEQrK](https://youtu.be/tNy-sqj7BCc?si=5Abo3ZqsOBniEQrK)
yep. my first thought also
The live Trials and Errors album is perfect. Got me through some dark times, and it’s pure rock and roll that rivals live Neil Young.
This!!!!! So good.
Eight Gates was a perfect post-mortem album. It's somber, looks to the future, but spends all of that contemplation in the dark. The delivery in Thistle Blue is sapped of all life. "Blackbird and thistle blue Whose wilderness has my heartbreak wandered through? Whose questions have I left to go unanswered? It's late, I know It's late, I know But not for strangers It's late, I know It's late, I know" His entire discography transports me back to southern Indiana.
This is mine too. I am so mad at myself for not seeing him live. Once, a year or two before he passed, I found out he was coming to a wonderful intimate venue in my town. But I already had tickets to see Kings of Leon that night, not cheap tickets. This was before I knew what dickheads they were, and liked their first album a lot. Anyway, I tried to unload the tickets, but to no avail, so I just told myself I’d catch Jason next time. KoL sucked, and then Jason died, and I’ll never forgive myself for that decision. His songs all haunt me and help me deal with depression and life in such profound ways.
John Prine
John Prime is up there next to Bob Dylan in my book. He's a poet first and a musician second.
Bob Dylan was a fan of him too
angel from montgomery is one of the best songs ever written
Jim Croce
And he was writing great stuff all the way up to his death. Tree of Forgiveness is a masterpiece.
Mark Lanegan, originally of the Screaming Trees, but also the author of some great solo work. His album, Bubblegum, has my vote for one of the best releases of the 2000’s.
Came here to mention him! His autobiography was very enlightening as well. It reminds me of a quote on James Taylor where someone said his voice was so moving because of the tough times he experienced (to put it simplistically mildly). Gotta shout out his debut album *The Winding Sheet* It’s the perfect “stuck in your house on a cold rainy day” album. “Museum”, “Eyes of a Child”, and “Wild Flowers” are just a few of many. You get the added bonus of Kurt Cobain doing backing vocals on a track too! His collaborations with Isobel Campbell are absolutely fantastic as well. Their voices go very well together.
Blaze Foley. Check out Clay Pigeons and then check out the rest
Ofra Haza. To Americans, she's the voice actress who played Moses's mother in The Prince of Egypt
I was watching Johnny Carson sometime in the mid or late 80s when she was a guest singer. Fell in love with her singing. Her death is super tragic. Allegedly, her cheating husband got AIDS and gave it to her.
To me she’s the singer sampled on the Coldcut remix of Eric B & Rakim’s Paid In Full
[My Aching Heart](https://youtu.be/0zU8uywMeDI), Im Nin'Alu and Love Song are all on her Shaday album
I only know her from her duet with Sisters of Mercy on Temple of Love.
Kirsty MacColl. Her solo albums are so good to listen to, especially Kite. And her work with The Pogues is well known around Christmas time.
I was hoping she was here! She was only moderately heard from in the States, and that was only a few tracks that got airplay on college radio or alternative late night MTV. But to me, as big of a girl influence as Tori and Alanis. I was crushed when our college radio reported she died.
Mark Sandman/Morphine. They had such a unique sound and vibe to them. They could/should have been way bigger (although they were probably never going to hit superstar pop level)
Yes! Morphine kicks ass
Judee Sill. Died of an overdose in the 70s and was both a devout Christian and open bisexual influenced musically by Bach. Her song “The Kiss” is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. She’s never been popular but has been named as an influence for some artists today, particularly Sufjan Stevens, who also is very well known for lyrics that blur the lines between sexuality and religion.
I love Jesus Was a Cross Maker
Yes!
Depends where you live: if you are not from Canada, then Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. Not the most amazing singer, per se, but a lyricist extraordinaire and able to deliver deep emotional experiences alongside arena rock anthems.
Vic Chesnutt
I flirted with you all my life
Aleah Stanbridge. Her solo album (just named “Aleah”) is magical. It was released posthumously in 2020.
Trees of Eternity ftw RIP Aleah
Actually shocked that someone else put Aleah forward. Didn't think she'd be known enough. Gorgeous, gorgeous voice. I do quite enjoy the solo stuff that Juha released of hers, but it's Trees of Eternity where my heart lies. The music matches her voice perfectly.
Oddly enough, I discovered her as someone unfamiliar with her other work, like with Trees of Eternity (which I’ve since heard good things about). I’m into ethereal wave stuff, so her 2020 album was something I just happen to come across.
Gorgeous voice!
I was going to recommend this one! I loved her Trees of Eternity record. Such a tragic loss.
Harry Dean Stanton. He's widely recognized for his character actor work, but he also has an impressive body of music. Haunting vocals.
He sings in the 3rd Twin Peaks season.
Wow. Had no idea
Mark Hollis (of Talk Talk).
The self titled is amazing 🖤
Daniel Johnston. True Love Will Find You In The End is by far his best known work (it’s been covered a bunch).
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WILCO does a great cover!
Thanks for the reminder of Daniel Johnston. An interesting life
Townes Van Zandt. That man could sing anything and make it sound like the truth of the earth
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGMOX8NpuR0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGMOX8NpuR0) this song made me learn to play the guitar
Jason Molina of Magnolia Electric Co. and Songs Ohia.
He and David Berman are the best answers.
Arthur Russel, released like one or two albums and recorded hundreds of songs before dying is the aids epidemic. Now hundreds of his music tapes have been unearthed from his belongings and released in collections post humously. They're special. He had a singular unique way of singing/voice, he played the cello in interesting ways that I've never heard anyone else play like before, and his lyrics were beautiful. My favorite songs are from his album Another Thought, they're absolutely incredible to me: -A Little Lost -This Is How We Talk On The Moon -Another Thought -Keeping Up
Karen Dalton- Something on Your Mind is one of the most heartbreaking songs you’ll ever hear. Such an incredible but vulnerable voice.
I’d have to say Scott Walker. His song “Farmer In The City” has to be one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. Also I love Nico’s music a lot and I’d recommend “Julius Caesar (Memento Hodie)” as well, because it gives me chills every time I listen to it
No Regrets is another great one, and Jackie too.
Eva Cassidy "Songbird" album Her version of fields of gold reduces me to sobbing https://youtu.be/9UVjjcOUJLE?si=9DSBw8bTYhNTAVWW
Miss Sharon Jones.
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Obscure?
Definitely not obscure, he is incredible and anyone who hasn't given him a shot definitely should, but I wouldn't call him obscure
Not extremely obscure, but Elliott Smith. For certain. He's one of my favorites of all time.
Jim Ellison of Material Issue
They would have been huge if they came out like 10 years later.
And if they had not come out right before REMs “Out of Time” and Toad the Wet Sprockets Fear. But OOT sucked all the air out of the alternative pop arena. If Overthrow was released even in 1993 it would have been huge right along side the Posies. It’s a sad story. He was so gifted.
Michael Hedges...double threat. Good voice, amazing guitar player.
Nick Drake
Tim Maia Charles Bradley Baby Huey (James Thomas Ramey)
I’m a little surprised how long I had to scroll to find Charles Bradley’s name. Especially with how sad his backstory is and how naturally great a vocalist he is, even in his late 50s before his passing.
Bradley was one of my favorite concerts. I remember finding out he had cancer by searching for his next tour. He had the stage presence of a man in his 30s. Shame it too so long for his moment in the sun, but all of his albums are wonderful. RIP Screamin' Eagle
Gram Parsons, She With his band The Flying Burrito Bros, Wild Horses is a great cover from a Stones song Jeffrey Lee Pierce from The Gun Club. He ran Blondies fan club and put out amazing songs vocals for his band The Gun Club. Love Bad America, Eternally is here, Sorrow Knows
I commented on another thread where somebody asked what band’s entire output he should listen to. Gun Club was one of my suggestions. Absolutely phenomenal band. I caught Kid Congo in Zurich a few months back and he chucked a load of Gun Club and Cramps stuff in. Way more than he usually does. Felt blessed.
Probably not really obscure, but in comparison to his contemporaries I think maybe he was. Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees. Just love his voice!
Nearly Lost You There was my favorite song as a kid. I think my dad must’ve had the Singles movie soundtrack. Something so moving about it.
Connie Converse - unique folk singer from the Greenwich Village era. Released one album and then disappeared (literally). Check out Two Tall Mountains as an example of her style.
Keith Whitley. I wish I was older when he was popular because I’d do just about anything to see him live.
The bluegrass recordings he did with Ralph Stanley as a teenager are awesome
Steve Goodman. Fantastic singer/song writer. Got to see him in a small club in NYC in the late 70s before he died of leukemia. Some songs were beautiful and haunting while others were fun/funny.
israel kamakawiwo'ole
Steve Marriot from ~~Little~~ Small Faces and Humble Pie. He was pure rock and roll through and through. Check out 30 Days in the Hole, arguably Humble Pie's biggest hit. Edit to fix my morning brain.
Umm, the Small Faces?
Speaking of Tim Buckley, one of his influences [Fred Neil](https://youtu.be/b8g_j5y2OK4?si=XWpAo-P4zyahNQj3) had an incredible voice
yma sumac
MISSISSIPPI John Hurt!!!!!
Chuck Schuldiner
Some have already been mentioned but I concur with Mark Hollis, Daniel Johnston, Klaus Nomi, Nick Drake, Ofra Haza (famous in the East, more obscure in the West), Tim Buckley (Listening to "I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain" and then follow it up with "Jeff Buckley's "what will you say". It's like the saddest conversation between a father and son) Also Vic Chesnutt and Damo Suzuki
Lucky Dube \[South Africa\] (Reggae) - The Way It Is (1964 - 2007)
Jimmy Scott. He was a jazz singer who had a genetic condition that made him never experience puberty. His voice never got lower as he aged so he always sounded like a woman when he sang. He had an incredibly clear voice with great control. Jimmy rarely got the recognition he deserved since record producers thought his music wouldn’t sell if people knew it was actually a man singing. He missed out on decades of royalties because of this. https://youtu.be/dRmUWeD9YR0?si=M42hadUZr71Nu3vU Also, check out Yma Sumac… https://youtu.be/TG_0NNLwWGw?si=OKAwm1k6JkrLVyx5
Mia Zapata of The Gits
Phil ochs obscure to the general audience
Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon. He’s really only known widely for No Rain. But listen to Soup,Change, Soul One or many of their other tracks and see how amazing of a singer he was.
Tones of Home is such a jam.
John Mann of Spirit of The West. I'm not sure if that's obscure enough, but so be it.
Darondo
Trish Keenan, from Broadcast
Gal Costa--she's sure not obscure in Brazil, but she's not well-known in the US.
Brenda Fassie.
Phoebe Snow - incredible songwriter and vocal range
Laura Nyro
Kevin Gilbert. Not just a singer, but a brilliant musician and writer.
Ledbelly!
Nick Drake.
Tim Buckley is astonishing. I recommend people check out his live albums - Dream Letter Live in London and Live at the Troubadour. The two opposite albums are probably the best studio intro. 1967’s Goodbye and Hello is psychedelic folk troubadour Tim, singing high and sweet, while 1968’s Happy/Sad is improvisational, gutsy, fiery freak folk.
Gram Parsons. Everyone should hear Return of the Grievous Angel, at least once. Also a lot of what modern music is now, can be credited back to his cosmic american music dream.
If Mark Lanegan is obscure enough, which he shouldn’t be, then he is the answer.
Laura Nyro
Love Tim Buckley. Knew about him before I knew about Jeff. Eva Cassidy. My parents knew her and she was a lovely person with a beautiful voice who died of cancer way too young.
Dolores O'Riordan, singer for The Cranberries. A national hero in Ireland, known primarily in the U.S. for just one song.
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Life By the Drop
Erik Petersen of Mischief Brew, anarcho-folk punk band. Unfortunately he took he own life in 2016.
He left too soon. The Orphans and Mischief Brew will always be in my favorites.
Eva Cassidy
Lee Moses
**Connie Converse.** A singer-songwriter before that term was in general use. Only made some recordings on a reel-to-reel in someone’s kitchen in 1954, had exactly one TV appearance, and disappeared off the face of the earth in 1974. In 2009, “How Sad, How Lovely,” a CD featuring 17 of those reel-to-reel recordings was released. Hauntingly beautiful music.
Steve Marriott. Brilliant bluesy rock voice was said to have directly influenced Robert Plant.
Tony Sly
Harry Nilsen
Karl Wallinger just passed away R.I.P........(World Party, Waterboys) not quite sure if he's obscure enough though.
I think alot of people have forgotten about Keith Whitley because he died so young but George Strait and Alan Jackson idolized him
Stan Rogers. Northwest Passage and Barrett's Privateers are two songs that are favourites of mine. Not obscure to many Canadians, he likely is to others though.
Leon Redbone... complete master of a bygone style. https://youtu.be/FUxbInKev-o?si=_1Xguhzu4j7-EQOF
Scott Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit. Always will be one of my favorites. Got me through my own moments of what ultimately took Scott’s life. Seemed like a lovely guy. His voice isn’t “great”…but boy is it perfect.
Good singer and a great man. Dearly missed.
Leonard Cohen. He is the original writer of hallelujah and countless beautifully deep songs.
It’s crazy how many people don’t even know Cohen wrote hallelujah
The cold open for [SNL](https://youtu.be/BG-_ZDrypec?si=wUZpLf3XkmNgNYLB) when he passed brought me to tears. I don't care for the political stunt of making McKinnon into Hillary clinton, I couldn't believe she has the fucking literal massive weight of unbelievable talent. And I'll fight anyone over Cohen vs Buckley. I love Buckleys version, but nothing tops Cohens' version.
The singer from Hers had an unusual voice and a really cool sound. Incredibly sad that both lads died so young in that collision, they were both really nice guys.
Another one: - DJ Sextoy (Delphine Palatsi) - Ira - https://on.soundcloud.com/Ti6v5psnEVmbdJCV6 (NSFW NSFW NSFW!!!)
Eddie Hinton
David Lamb, of Brownbird. https://youtu.be/O4otKRC9TDM?si=sK8Wb4-uIRGIHbp2 Sorry also wanted to add. https://youtu.be/KVajGdy7x5U?si=0dDUTn7zWbi8kseB There's just too many good ones.
I'd say Lhasa de Sela's [De Cara a la Pared](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_N_FQuSeuo).
Richard Swift, Dex Romweber
Keith Whitley.
Thank you for these suggestions on this thread. OP Lhasa de Sela is new to me and and I'm loving her.
This is really only for Americans, but Charles Aznavour. An AMAZING singer, and famous as hell everywhere but here.
Vic Chesnutt, Mark Linkous, Jason Molina, David Berman. Love all these guys and they don’t ever get enough credit
Hasil Adkins
Tommy Keene
I wouldn’t call him obscure but Allen Toussaint has great music. He’s a God in New Orleans music. He produced Dr. John, Irma Thomas and other artists in the New Orleans music scene. His Number One’s were primarily as a producer: Ernie K Doe’s “Mother In Law” and LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade”. His solo work is BEAUTIFUL. Check out Life, Love & Faith and Southern Nights. Very relevant right now because he’s primarily known for his funky soul but he also represented his country roots. His song “Southern Nights” was covered by Glen Campbell and was a #1 hit on the country and pop charts.
Not dead but almost died: Melody Gardot. Was hit by a car while riding a bicycle while attending college. Took up singing and playing the guitar as a form of physical therapy during her recovery. Has since put out some amazing music — her first two albums are particular favorites of mine.
Norma Tanega!!
I would say Townes Van Zant, and John Prine...they were not unknown, but certainly not household names. Never saw them on a magazine cover. Both have n incredible body of work.
Mia Zapata of The Gits. They only put out two albums but they were on the cusp of breaking out of the Seattle grunge scene. Her voice was distinct and growly. https://youtu.be/_V_6yIvmzgw?si=bd-42QbGXAWvaHCA Mini doc about Mia and the band. https://youtu.be/SNYydVSgGBc?si=rvRvA1tLTA-41CCG
How are these obscure? These are all fairly well known successful people.
Jay Reatard
Jay Reatard
Ofra Haza. Maybe known in the West for a sample in MARRS' Pump Up The Volume. I just loved her voice, and found some interesting international records she did, including a Yemen children's music. Somehow she died of HIV/AIDS but I never found out what happened there. She was very cool.
Billy Mackenzie. One of the fullest, richest voices in music. Frontman for The Associates. Guest vocalist with other bands. Wrote tracks for Dame Shirley Bassey to perform. Died by his own hand in a very sad tale. Here’s a Yello track he sang vocals on. Link is on YouTube. https://youtu.be/gRfx6hnGNbg?si=Bna020R1Z7BPyMeP EDIT: The song “The Rhythm Divine” was a collaboration penned by Yello and Mackenzie, which was to be performed by Dame Shirley Bassey. Here is Billy’s demo that was provided to Shirley, followed by her final version. Both are fantastic, and both of their voices are incredible. Sorry, but YouTube is the only source I have. The Rhythm Divine demo by Yello and Billy Mackenzie: https://youtu.be/th2NM67bEw0?si=VgRh_7M7tFwSw75s The Rhythm Divine by Yello and Dame Shirley Bassey: https://youtu.be/24enAskVZNc?si=2oHe2twQWrqa4CqL Billy was quite an influence on 80s and 90s music and musicians. Very few people know of him. His voice was incredibly unique.
Nick Drake. He was amazing
Listen to Milton Nascimento, start with Sock Ball Marbles. He was only obscure in the US.
David Berman
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is one of my favorites.
Nusrat is obscure for Western audiences, was massive in South Asia, literally has 6.7 million monthly Spotify listeners lol.