Richard Thompson

This founding member of Fairport Convention -- much acclaimed for his classic Shoot Out the Lights LP, recorded with then-wife Linda Thompson -- plays Folk-Rock with a heavy dose of British flavor. His scornful songs have gained high praise from critics everywhere, and his fan base is serious and dedicated. His music is complex and exploits almost every avenue of guitar playing -- Thompson's up-tempo songs seem schizophrenic and disturbingly catchy, while his slower songs are perfect for staring out of your bedroom window on a rainy day. He is clearly one of the most underrated songwriters of our time, creating cerebral musings for cerebral listeners.