Song: There’s No Me Without You

Artist: Glen Campbell, Delight, AR

Album: Ghost on the Canvas, 2011

Notes: Sensational swansong by one of the greats, written for his wife, Kim. Highly original four minutes of guest guitar solos after two minutes of Campbell's vocal honey, by Glen himself and then Billy Corgan, Brian Setzer, Rick Nielsen, & Marty Rifkin. Too good for prime time.

Song: I Need

Artist: Maverick Sabre, England

Album: Lonely Are The Brave, 2012

Notes: Such an original artist, a clever stew of sonic ideas, mixing R&B, folk, electronica, vintage blue-eyed soul, a hint of hip-hop. Anglo-Irish singer-songwriter Michael Stafford, just 21, debut album out soon.

Song: Mad World

Artist: Tears For Fears, England

Album: The Hurting, 1983

Notes: A pop-rock classic which never made the Billboard Hot 100 in its original form by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Subsequently covered to great success by both the pairing of Gary Jules and Michael Andrews, and more recently by the just (plain awful) Adam Lambert.

Song: Down To Zero

Artist: Joan Armatrading, St. Kitts

Album: Joan Armatrading, 1976

Notes: One of the early singles released by Joan and one of dozens of quality tracks by her which have flown under the radar over the years. It's not remotely Tracy Chapman's fault that Armatrading was getting it done decades before her.

Song: For You Now

Artist: Bruno Merz, New Zealand

Album: Departing From Crowds EP, 2009

Notes: Not a ('Mars') typo. Hushed , tender tune from now London-based singer-songwriter. Currently polishing off a sophomore set which should be out later this year. More on the real Bruno at his simple, stylish website www.brunomerz.com.

Song: New Age

Artist: Marlon Roudette, England/St. Vincent

Album: Matter Fixed, 2011

Notes: Catchy piano refrain, a cute chart-topper in Austria, Switzerland and Germany last year by the stepson of Neneh Cherry and son of Massive Attack producer, Cameron McVey.

Song: Better Off This Way

Artist: Left, Canada

Album: The Left, 2011

Notes: Female guest vocal by Sheree Plett graces this soothing and sweetly melodic gem by relatively unknown Canadian combo who deserve much wider notice. Fine debut album just issued.

Song: Koop Island Blues

Artist: Koop feat. Ane Brun, Sweden

Album: Koop Islands, 2006

Notes: Lovely languorous groove featuring an accordion, a clarinet and a vibraphone to great effect on this French chanson swinger by nostalgic Swedish trip-hoppish jazz duo of Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson. Super guest turn by Norwegian singer, Ane Brun.

Song: Sunlight

Artist: One AM Radio, Los Angeles

Album: Heaven Is Attached By A Slender Thread

Notes: One of the best lost synth-based cuts from last year, by a seriously talented folk/ambient electronic whiz kid, Herishikesh Hirway. Check out the album.

Song: And I Love You So

Artist: Don McLean, New Rochelle, NY

Album: Tapestry, 1970

Notes: It may not get any better than this divine ballad, lovely strings arrangement, pitch-perfect vocals from Don, simple acoustic guitar playing and a hit for other artists over the years - but not for him. Still getting it done in concert, still very popular in Europe where he performs most years - played the iconic Glastonbury Festival in England last summer to great reviews.

Song: Whatever’s On Your Mind

Artist: Gomez, England

Album: Whatever's On Your Mind, 2011

Notes: Superb title cut from their most recent album. Literate, consistent alt-rock band fronted by distinctive vocalist Ian Ball. Group has opened for Pearl Jam and the Dave Matthews band - and signed to Matthews' label, ATO Records.

Song: This Is The Stuff

Artist: Francesca Battistelli, New York

Album: Hundred More Years, 2011

Notes: Outstanding shuffler by 26-year old songstress now based in Nashville. Atypical cut from artiste who normally performs a more gospel-inspired brand of pop-rock: her 2009 single, 'Free To Be Me', nominated for Best Gospel Performance.

Song: Pretty Things

Artist: Tony Lucca, Jay Nash & Matt Duke, Los Angeles

Album: TFDI EP, 2009

Notes: Bittersweet acoustic number by solid trifecta of tunesmiths who toured together in 2009. Lucca was a child performer on the Mickey Mouse Club, Nash is a still unsigned, and Duke is on the excellent Rykodisc label.

Song: Mama Sail To Me

Artist: Amos Lee, Philadelphia

Album: As The Crow Flies EP, 2012

Notes: A typically restrained, poised and rewarding standout track from the upcoming EP due out Valentine's Day. He gets better with each release.

Song: Baby Your Lovin’

Artist: Electric Empire, Australia

Album: Electric Empire, 2010

Notes: Impossible to believe this vintage-inspired R&B gem is only two years old given its truly authentic Al Green 1970s soul vibe. Even more surprising, they're a trio from Australia (perhaps a change in band name in order?)

Song: Can Love Stand The Test

Artist: Don Henley & Bonnie Raitt, Gilmer, TX/Burbank, CA

Album: Country Bears Original Soundtrack, 2002

Notes: Neat ballad duet which completely flew under the radar after these legends recorded it specifically for the 'Country Bears' film in 2002 - which was helmed by the always underrated John Hiatt. CD now a collectors item.

Song: Beautiful Day

Artist: India.Arie, Denver

Album: Testimony: Vol 2, Love & Politics, 2009

Notes: Why wasn't this released as a single? Solid pop-soul roller by 2001 hitmaker of 'Video'.

Song: The Beginning of the End

Artist: Steve Moakler, Pittsburgh

Album: Watching Time Run, 2011

Notes: Outstanding, self-released top drawer A+ unknown ballad by Pittsburg-based tunesmith. Been playing solo since the age of 18, DIY all the way - more at www.stevemoakler.com.

Song: Superman’s Song

Artist: Crash Test Dummies, Canada

Album: The Ghosts That Haunt Me, 1991

Notes: Band's very first single which you rarely hear on the radio these days. Cool contrast between the bizarre cartoonish lyrics about the life of Clark Kent and the mournful delivery by distinctive deep bass baritone of lead singer, Brad Roberts.

Song: Enough Time

Artist: Ghosts, England

Album: Enough Time (digital single) 2012

Notes: Tasty new synth pop-rock which shouldn't be lost in the first place. British indietronica combo founded last year by ex-Ou Est Le Swimming Pool members, Alex Starling and drummer Ian Palmer. Fab video for this new cut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX_TzU9dg_Q.

Song: If You Were Here

Artist: Cary Brothers, Los Angeles

Album: Who You Are, 2007

Notes: Too good for prime time, a superbly constructed melodic cracker - and a first-rate cover of an old Thompson Twins number. Terrific in concert, you might catch him at the seminal Hotel Cafe the next time you're in Los Angeles.

Song: Remember Me

Artist: Little Willies, New York

Album: For The Good Times, 2012

Notes: A yester-year-tinged delight from Norah Jones and her ad-hoc combo, the Little Willies. Album is a mostly quiet and charming collection of covers including a restrained version of the K. Kristofferson title cut and their take on Dolly's 'Jolene'. Norah is so cool because she makes absolutely no attempt to be cool.

Song: Guilty

Artist: Leddra Chapman, England

Album: A Trick or Two EP, 2011

Notes: An electro-pop departure from an otherwise mostly nu-folk songstress from promising London-based newcomer (real name Anna Chapman). Already worked with L&F preferred vendor, Ed Sheeran.

Song: Come Home To Me

Artist: Ernie Halter, Los Angeles

Album: Franklin & Vermont, 2010

Notes: Stripped down, breathy, romantic acoustic ditty from West Coast singer-songwriter. Justin Bieber of Planet Bieber has recorded a remarkably faithful and not-too-bad cover version - proving once again, there are no rules in music.

Song: Nothing Rhymed

Artist: Gilbert O'Sullivan, Ireland

Album: Himself, 1971

Notes: Completely over the top old-school strings arrangement but an absolute corker lurking underneath by clever Irish wordsmith/pianist. Not a love song, more a stab at the unfairness and iniquity of the world in which we live. Fab.

Song: In My Veins

Artist: Andrew Belle feat. Erin McCarley, Wheaton, IL

Album: In My Veins, digital single, 2010

Notes: Cracking melodic duet once featured in the 2010 season finale of 'Grey's Anatomy' but otherwise entirely overlooked. Check out anything by either artist.

Song: What Good Is Love

Artist: Schuyler Fisk, Los Angeles

Album: Blue Ribbon Winner, 2011

Notes: Graduate from the University of Virginia with an enchanting highlight from her second album. Schuyler was taught to play guitar by her wonderful mum - Oscar-winning actress Sissy Spaceck. Done a bit acting herself, appearing in last year's Gus Van Zant film, 'Restless'.

Song: All This Time

Artist: Boom Circuits, Los Angeles

Album: The Boom Circuits EP, 2010

Notes: The duo of Vega Shank and Andy Ellison on a sturdy, catchy electro/rock-pop nugget. More at myspace.com/theboomcircuits.

Song: Take A Bow

Artist: Greg Laswell, San Diego

Album: Take A Bow, 2010

Notes: Typically marvelous outing from top-of-the-class singer-songwriter, producer Laswell. Never disappoints. Recorded all the tracks from this 2010 CD in a makeshift studio in a cabin near Flagstaff Arizona.

Song: Evermore

Artist: Neil Diamond, New York

Album: 12 Songs, 2005

Notes: Clearly the Saddest Song of All-Time, an absolute lost diamond from veteran, Neil - made all the more authentic and rich by the presence of uber-producer, Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, Adele, everyone). Extraordinary.

Song: Outside

Artist: Fairchild Republic, Australia

Album: Outside (digital single), 2011

Notes: Lovely light guitar work flickering throughout this cut, a new single from down under by promising new troupe which is causing a bit of a stir at the other end of the world. More at www.fairchildrepublic.com.au.

Song: Little Heart

Artist: Delaney Davidson, New Zealand

Album: Self Decapitation, 2010

Notes: Dark mid-winter rumbler from his disturbingly named 2010 long-player. A fairly sardonic figure, Davidson describes his music as "voodoo rhythm" and himself as 'part man, part wheel, a wandering minstrel and a travelling salesman".

Song: That’s Just What You Are

Artist: Aimee Mann, Richmond, VA

Album: I'm With Stupid, 1995

Notes: First-rate lost gem by one of the brightest and best singer-songwriters ever to emerge from Virginia. Former lead singer with Til Tuesday in the '80s, Aimee went solo in 1993 , one of the first artists to (wisely) turn her back on the major label distribution system, forming her own SuperEgo Records in 1999.

Song: Michael You’ve Got A Lot To Answer For

Artist: Duran Duran, England

Album: Medazzaland, 1997

Notes: Fabulous unknown ballad from one of most enduring British synth-rock bands. Congrats to Simon le Bon who's now been married to his lovely wife, Yasmin, for more than 25 years.

Song: Cut

Artist: Plumb, Nashville

Album: Chaotic Resolve, 2006

Notes: Standout track from melodramatic album by Tiffany Arbuckle Lee who goes by the performing name, Plumb. Better and more consistent than Evanescence.

Song: Watching You Watching Him

Artist: Eric Hutchinson, Takoma Park, MD

Album: Moving Up, Moving Down, 2012

Notes: The first single from an excellent new album due out next month by 'Rock and Roll' (2008) hitmaker. Whole CD and is brimming with intelligent, easy-rolling pop rock nuggets like this.

Song: Skyline Pigeon

Artist: Elton John, England

Album: Rare Masters, 1992

Notes: Regarded by Elton himself as one of the first great songs he and lyricist Bernie Taupin wrote, but was only the B-side on the hit single, 'Daniel'. One of his most popular tunes when he performs in Brazil.

Song: Standing In The Rain

Artist: Jamie Scott & The Town, England

Album: Park Bench Theories, 2007

Notes: Before he teamed up with Tommy D in Graffiti6 (which is finally having some success after L&F began playing their music a year ago) - Jamie cut one lovely, lost solo album.

Song: Boys Don’t Cry

Artist: Grant Lee Phillips/Cure, Stockton, CA/England

Album: Friends With Benefits Original Soundtrack, 2011

Notes: Clever stripped-down update of Cure classic by veteran tunesmith, Phillips segued into the bouncy original by Robert Smith and his chums.