In no particular order:

1. Kirsty MacColl. If you've heard the Pogues' Christmas classic "Fairytale of New York," you've heard her sing. If you haven't heard her solo albums -- and most people haven't -- you're missing a wonderfully gifted singer and songwriter.

2. Sandy Denny. Usually called a "folksinger", which doesn't begin to do her justice. One of the greatest voices of the 20th century.

3. Fastball. Had one huge hit ("The Way"). Deserved to have many more -- brilliant songwriters with great pop hooks.

4. Screaming Blue Messiahs. "I Wanna be a Flintstone."

5. John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett. Actually had a hit in the UK with Otway's "Really Free." Sort of proto-folk-punk.

6. Pavlov's Dog. Came out of the St. Louis area in the mid-70s. Singer David Surkamp makes Geddy Lee sound like a baritone.

7. Salmon. My good friend Aaron Goodwin played guitar for this San Jose-area band. One album (Pablo, Drop the Chicken). Mined the same rap-rock vein as Rage Against the Machine.

8. Krenshaw. Another local San Jose band who released one self-produced album.

9. Syd Straw. Great singer, occasional actress, wrote a couple of my favorite songs.

10. Peter Blegvad. American expat in Britain, absolutely bloody brilliant songwriter.

11. Joan Osborne. Yeah, she had a huge hit with that folky "One of Us." What most people never realized is how atypical that song was for her; she's mostly a very soulful, bluesy singer who writes good tunes.

12. Toni Childs. Has an incredible voice and great songwriting chops.