Song: Undiscovered
Artist: James Morrison, England
Album: Undiscovered, 2006
Notes: First class blue-eyed soul from singer-songwriter who has also recorded fab duets with Jason Mraz and Nelly Furtado.
Song: Loaded
Artist: Primal Scream, Scotland
Album: Screamadelica, 1991
Notes: Amazing musical stew, strong bass line hooks, piano rolls, loaded horns, gospel vocals, they really threw the kitchen sink at this one.
Song: Heard It All Before
Artist: Meiko, Roberta, GA
Album: Meiko, 2007
Notes: First discovered performing at the Sundance Film Festival, ironically titled gem from LA-based singer-songwriter.
Song: The Night I Heard Caruso Sing
Artist: Everything But The Girl, England
Album: Idlewild, 1988
Notes: Rare lead vocal by Ben Watt, serene musings on the state of the world, while listening to the great Italian opera singer, Enrico Caruso.
Song: Bittersweet
Artist: Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Denver, CO
Album: Sister Sweetly, 1993
Notes: They’ve never made the Billboard Hot 100 which is odd. This nugget gets some airplay and remains their only song even approaching a mainstream hit.
Song: Tennessee
Artist: Wreckers, Arizona/Kansas City
Album: Stand Still Look Pretty, 2006
Notes: First-rate duo of Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp , combining as the short-lived Wreckers with the sturdy, country-spiced southern ode.
Song: I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Artist: Melanie Doane, Canada
Album: Adam's Rib, 1998
Notes: Top slice of Americana ironically, from Canada. Her new album, 'Emerald City' also worth checking out.
Song: Why
Artist: Annie Lennox, Scotland
Album: Diva, 1992
Notes: First solo single after breakup of the Eurythmics. Desperately sad recording. Lennox recently awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II.
Song: Big Star Baby
Artist: Mojave 3, England
Album: Puzzles Like You, 2006
Notes: Dreamy-pop, jangly harmonies of underrated British trio mixing vintage west coast country sound with a splash of influence from Phil Spector.
Song: Step By Step
Artist: J.D. Souther, Detroit
Album: About Last Night (soundtrack), 1986
Notes: Slightly dated production, but lovely melodies and harmonies with guest singer, Karla Bonoff. Smooth West Coast sound from former Eagles sideman.
Song: Knife-Grey Sea
Artist: Pilot Speed, Canada
Album: Into The West, 2006
Notes: U2-recalling, alt-rock combo from Toronto, lead singer, Todd Clark sounds more like Bono than Bono.
Song: Epiphany
Artist: Angel Taylor, Los Angeles
Album: Love Travels, 2009
Notes: Weekly cut from the most under-appreciated, A+ female singer-songwriter of recent years.
Song: All I Have
Artist: Mat Kearney, Eugene, OR
Album: City of Black and White, 2009
Notes: So talented, he just writes one good melodic pop-rock nugget after another. Look out for his next album 'Young Love' soon.
Song: In My Arms
Artist: Plumb, Indianapolis, IN
Album: Blink, 2007
Notes: Melodramatic and anthemic lost gem from alternative electronica rock artiste, Tiffany Lee aka Plumb.
Song: Opportunity
Artist: Charlatans UK, England
Album: Some Friendly, 1990
Notes: Psychedelic Brit-Rock from largely overlooked combo fronted by Tim Burgess, tucked away on their very first album.
Song: Building A Mystery (live)
Artist: Sarah McLachlan, Canada
Album: Lilith Fair A Celebration of Women In Music, 1997
Notes: Great in the studio, great in concert - and you can’t say that about every artist: live version of her first big hit single recorded during her own Lilith Fair caravan.
Song: Sunlight
Artist: One AM Radio, Los Angeles
Album: Heaven Is Attached By A Slender Thread, 2011
Notes: Brand spanking new, One AM Radio is folk/ambient project, the vision of one very talented electronic whiz kid called Herishikesh Hirway.
Song: Charmed Life
Artist: Mick Jagger, England
Album: The Very Best of Mick Jagger, 2007
Notes: Winning choppy guitar refrain and unmistakably strong vocals. Song once used in Dell computers ad. Extremely mixed solo career, look out for Stones 50th anniversary reunion tour next year.
Song: That Year
Artist: Brandi Carlile, Ravensdale, WA
Album: Giving Up The Ghost, 2009
Notes: Delicious, reflective folk rock from singer-songwriter who scored with 'The Story'. Began her career as a backing singer for an Elvis impersonator.
Song: Long Nights
Artist: Eddie Vedder, Evanston, IL
Album: Into The Wild (soundtrack), 2007
Notes: From Pearl Jam front-man's first full-length solo set, which was also superb soundtrack to Sean Penn-directed movie.
Song: More Of You
Artist: MoZella, Detroit
Album: Belle Isle, 2009
Notes: Percolating, soul-folkish artistry of sorely unnoticed performer. Released two albums and two EPS to date - each of them top-drawer.
Song: Cowboys and Angels
Artist: George Michael, England
Album: Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1, 1990
Notes: Beautifully constructed and executed album cut with lovely 'Thomas Crown Affair' soundtrack (1968 original) jazzy overtones.
Song: Country Mile
Artist: Camera Obscura, Scotland
Album: Let’s Get Out of This Country
Notes: Delightful, ethereal alternative rock from one of the best Scottish bands of recent years, led by the distinctive and fragile vocals of Tracyanne Campbell.
Song: Just Say Yes
Artist: Snow Patrol, Scotland
Album: Up To Now, 2009
Notes: The one that got away - also check out wonderful spacey, dreamy video to accompany this sturdy rock number.
Song: Oh Cumberland
Artist: Matraca Berg, Nashville
Album: The Dreaming Fields, 2011
Notes: Her first new music in 13 years, worth the wait. Top country singer-songwriter returns with splendid Americana-tinged album.
Song: Jungle Trail
Artist: Steven Delopoulos, New Jersey
Album: Me Dies Blue, 2000
Notes: Sorely overlooked, thoughtful acoustic ballad from unknown tunesmith (who should change his last name to get more airplay).
Song: The Book I Write
Artist: Spoon, Austin, TX
Album: Stranger Than Fiction (soundtrack), 2006
Notes: Quirky, short alternative rock nugget from the Will Farrell-starring movie album. Spoon front-man, Britt Daniel co-write entire film soundtrack.
Song: Desert Rose
Artist: Sting featuring Cheb Mami, England/Algeria
Album: Brand New Day, 1999
Notes: The World Music cut which saved Sting's otherwise tanking sixth solo album, featuring exceptional Rai singer, Mami.
Song: Generator (First Floor)
Artist: Freelance Whales, Queens, NY
Album: Weathervanes, 2009
Notes: Excellent indie-Americana from inventive five-piece combo who deserve more exposure.
Song: I’m Restless
Artist: Jennifer Warnes, Anaheim, CA
Album: Shot Through The Heart, 1979
Notes: Simple melody, wonderful piano accompaniment, plaintive lyrics, exquisite execution, the saddest song of all time.
Song: 6:00 AM
Artist: Holidays, Australia
Album: Post Paradise, 2010
Notes: Breezy and delightful new music from unknown Aussie quintet. Check out more at www.theholidaysband.com.
Song: Holiday Road
Artist: Lindsey Buckingham, Palo Alto, CA
Album: National Lampoon's Vacation (soundtrack), 1983
Notes: Ridiculously catchy and rather cheesey but great fun, Fleetwood Mac member's memorable theme from classic 'Vacation' film series starring hapless Chevy Chase.
Song: Falling In Love
Artist: Lisa Loeb, Bethesda, MD
Album: Firecracker, 1997
Notes: Never again reached the heights of her break-out chart-topper 'Stay' in 1994, one of many front-Loeb tracks to fly under the radar.
Song: Rapture Riders
Artist: Blondie vs. The Doors, NY/CA
Album: Mashed, 2007
Notes: Sacrilegious but superb mash-up of two classic cuts, 'Rapture' and 'Riders On The Storm', with similar beats per minute by uber-clever British specialist remixer, Mark Vidler.
Song: Gold In Them Hills
Artist: Ron Sexsmith featuring Chris Martin, Canada/England
Album: Cobblestone Runway, 2002
Notes: A slow, lost but golden nugget from Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Song: Hello Mr. Sun
Artist: Joe Brooks, England
Album: Constellation Me, 2010
Notes: Just 23 years old, but already a mature writer/performer who recently left gloomy London for sunnier climes in Los Angeles.
Song: I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You
Artist: Tom Waits, Pomona, CA
Album: Closing Time, 1973
Notes: Recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, utterly original ballad from his groundbreaking debut album.
Song: My Love
Artist: The Bird & The Bee, Los Angeles
Album: Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future, 2009
Notes: Charming and creative lost pearl from indie-pop duo of singer Inara George and producer/keyboardist, Greg Kurston.
Song: I’m Alive
Artist: Jackson Browne & David Lindley, Germany
Album: Love Is Strange, 2010/I'm Alive, 1993
Notes: Acoustic live treatment he recorded in 2006 in Spain with talented sideman and guitarist, David Lindley, segued into original studio cut from the '90s.
