I guess that depends on your definition of quality.  I find Steve Earle to be a producer of quality.  But everyone is different.  If one were to wade through my music collection, one would find lots of quality and lots of crap.  That's the beauty of music. Amongst the chaff and the thistle, you'll find manna.  And we'll all find it in the place where the last person looked before and found nothing but weeds and gravel. 

I get a real thrill out of finding something new that I like.  Most of the time, it's already been heard and the hip factor is on its way out.  But still, I get really excited when I find that "new to me" sound.  So, that's why although most corporate nu-perfect america radio tends to nausiate me, I've gotten to the point where I just don't worry about it anymore.  Because every now and again, even in the abyssal Fuhrs-cafeteria-style Record Industry, some lucky bastard picks up on something truly amazing.  Then 700 copycats dive on it and the glimmer is gone.  So...I'll just give you a list of the stuff that some folks think is total crap that I've been digging lately that I think is quality.

Sinead O'Conner's new record.  She says she's retired but like Frosty the Snowman or KDB, she'll be back again someday.  (honestly Kent, I'm glad you're still here)

Robbie Fulks: Twang!  He's great

Rufus Wainwright's new record Want One.  Cool stuff.  A really cute record store employee turned me on to his Dad back in 88.  When little Rufus put out a record, I checked it out and each new one gets better.

Ok...I'll shut up now.  I'm rambling.

PRH