Rich Bongorno's Top 10 Musical Artists You've (Probably) Never Heard Of
1.
This is a two-member combo from France. Thanks to a song they did with Peter Gabriel ("While the Earth Sleeps" from the Strange Days movie soundtrack) I found out about these guys. It's mostly world beat stuff which I really like. But, they take it way beyond that with great melodies and an awesome "sound". You can listen to a clip of "Freedom Cry" here. Their latest release is Music.Detected_. It continues to explore new territory while staying true to their mission.
2.
A special thanks to Meg Babic (of Cohen & Company) for turning me on to these guys. They're from Newfoundland, Canada but sing both classic and original Irish/Celtic music. Very upbeat. Their latest is Sea of No Cares.
3.
I found this Irish band as a "sounds like" band when I was exploring the Great Big Sea (see above). I was hooked the minute I heard "Running to the Light" from their recent release -- The Stamping Ground. They're just out with Proterra.
4. 
His stuff is mostly new age but with a definite adrenaline raising feel. Steve has just released a new CD in collaboration with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra -- Music with Nature: Impressions of the Rocky Mountains. A little different for Steve but, as usual, oh so good.
5.
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Michael Stanley did one of their songs on his Live in Tangiers CD. The song was fantastic so I followed up (based on his liner notes) and got their first 2 CD's. The nationally-released Lost in America is my favorite CD from these guys. It's fantastic from start to finish. They're from Pittsburgh and their last was So Close to Home. Unfortunately, these guys have wandered their separate ways and aren't recoding together at this time. Bill Deasy, the front man and major song-writer, continues on and has released some quality stuff.
6. The Rippingtons (featuring Russ Freeman)
I've been following Russ and these guys since the early days. Check out Moonlighting (1986) for some of their early great stuff.. A light jazz feel. Almost all their stuff is top notch.
Here's the first CCM artist that I got hooked on. I went to a Billy Graham Crusade at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium and saw him for the first time. You might have heard his only real hit -- "A Place in This World" or his fan's favorite -- "Friends". Very thoughtful and inspiring music. I just saw him at the CSU Convocation Center -- an excellent show.
8. 
More of the jazzy/new age feel.
9.
These guys are in the category of Progressive Metal. I had not heard of them until I heard their "Big Medley" which includes tunes from Pink Floyd, Genesis, Queen and others. They are a cross between Black Sabbath and Yes (if you can imagine that). Their recent release, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (a 2-CD set) is one of their best ever. Check out the 42-minute title track which comprises all of disc 2. Their most recent release is Train of Thought. Not quite as good but certainly contains some quality stuff.
10. Craig Chaquico
I'm sounding like a broken CD but, here's another jazz-oriented new-age artist that defines his own style of guitar playing. He was formerly with the Jefferson Starship. His latest release is Four Corners and (as usual) it's excellent. I went to see him with the Rippingtons awhile back. This guy is great live! By the way, it's pronounced cha-key-so
Last update: March 03, 2007
