I'm looking for some recommendations, people.

I've been on essentially a blues-only diet for three years, but now that I get cds at cost, I'm expanding my territory a bit. I'm looking for non-blues material now.

I like a lot of stuff: rock (PJ Harvey, Guns N Roses, Janis Joplin, Hendrix, etc.), country (Johnny Cash, Steve Earl - I'm 'twang'-impaired, though), folk (Stan Rogers,Nick Drake), Punk (well, 70s punk anyway) and so on.

I don't like hip-hop, electronica (though I do like some trip-hop), and most pop leaves me cold.

My all-time favorite non-bluesmen are Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

Oh, one more kicker - the cd has to have been released in 2004, and the peformers still have to be alive.

Hook me up, people. Expand my horizons.

Trevor, you should check out Los Lonely Boys. I picked up their CD this weekend and highly recommend it.

See a video at http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/los_lonely_boys/artist.jhtml?_requestid=132460.

Michael McDermott might be a possibility for you
http://www.michael-mcdermott.com/

I've been contemplating that Los Lonely Boys CD Mike mentioned. Only hear one song of theirs on the radio, but I like it.

Check out Norah Jones if you want something mellow.

I get waaaay too much Nora Jones already.... definately not my thing.

I like dirty, raspy and soaked in whiskey. She's ice wine poured over sugar.

I shall make a suggestion, as if Trevor and I could ever be on the same musical wavelength . . .

Finn Brothers, Everyone Is Here. Released less than a month ago, one of the best albums I've ever heard. It's pop, I know that's not your thing, but it's beautiful music, first and foremost. Clips should be available at any good music site.

-Comp

I do like some Billy Joel, Comp... just nothing from Glass Houses on (so far, anyway).

EDIT: Correction - there's some good stuff on Nylon Curtain.

http://www.theshazam.com

http://www.paulweller.com

http://www.oceancolourscene.com

Why the alive and 2004 stipulations? Are you doing a soundtrack?

Sorry Trev, I can't seem to... oh wait, here's a handy band right in my sig line...

Check out that Elvis guy. He's pretty good.

Andrew Bird is a master of violin and whistling...there are a couple of free downloads on the music section of his website... http://www.bowloffire.com/

since Andrew allows recording of his concerts, you can check out some live stuff on http://www.archive.org/ ... just search for Andrew Bird

if you have a good connection and don't mind downloading an hour long program, check out his appearance on The Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour... http://www.woodsongs.com/showlist.asp ...Andrew is on show #283 with Crash Test Dummies...its worth it to sit through CTD ( haven't enjoyed their stuff since they went out on their own...) and the host's songs to see and hear Andrew play...

as you can tell, this is a performer who i am rather passionate about...i guarentee enjoyment...

And those lads from Liddy-pool ain't half bad either!

HE SAID THEY HAVE TO BE ALIVE!!!!

Elvis is alive!
He just didn't release anything in 2004....

He had a #1 selling CD in 2002 however.

(Elvis' 30 #1's)

I've discovered that you can't come to Elvis from the blues. Maybe if I found him before I got into the blues artists prior to and during his day, I might have liked him. After? No chance.... even his early Sun stuff - the stuff that'd probably appeal to me most - sounds like a young hillbilly country singer trying to sedate blues for a teen audience. If you listen to Big Mama Thorton's Hound Dog and then play Elvis' version, you'll see what I mean. For early rockers, give me Chuck Berry and Bo Didley any day.

Nope ... just trying to get contemporary....

Half of the Beatles still are!

I highly recommend 23rd Street Lullaby by Patti Scialfa.

Some good stuff on there. My wife likes it too.......

In fact, now that I think about it, I have an extra copy and would be more than happy to send it to you, if you'd like.

And no, I have no financial interest in her at all, just happen to have two copies, and want to spread the joy.

Houston