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Seeing as we've got a couple of music threads going……I think I may be the only country fan on here but Beyonce has a country album out which newspaper critics are wetting themselves over. The Times had a little list of essential country records which surprise, surprise, would not appeal to real country fans. Anyone heard her album? I expect I'll find it on youtube eventually.
I really like Ryan Bingham and went to see him in 2019. Not sure if you would call that country though but he did write a few tracks for Crazy Heart starring Jeff Bridges.
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (LP) was the gateway there for me. Doc Watson in particular. Highly recommended.
Yes, it was in a way for me too. Guys like Jimmy Martin. Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Merle Travis...I hadn't known much of before. The mix of old and new with the Nitty Gritty guys made for a classic album.
Ralph Stanley and the Stanley Brothers are at the top of the genre for me. Later on guys like John Hartford.
"a diseased bunch of mofos if there ever was one, their beauty is so awesome that listening to them at their best is like being in some vast dream cathedral decorated with a thousand gleaming American pop culture icons."
- Lester Bangs on The Beach Boys
Ah I love a bit of country though I’m more metal and hip hop really.
Check out Charley Crockett for more traditional country and Johnny Cash of course. Satan Is Real by The Louvin Brothers mainly for the brilliant album sleeve.
Recent stuff I like by Carly Pearce, Margo Price, Old Dominion, and Kacey Musgraves who I’m seeing at the Roundhouse soon.
Best country artist for me was the awesome Gram Parsons: two amazing solo albums but before that Sweetheart Of the Rodeo with The Byrds and The Gilded Palace of Sin with the Flying Burrito Brothers.
A big shout out for Rodney Crowell. Saw him live 20 years ago and was blown away. Never considered myself a country fan but he is fantastic. Fates right hand and the outsider are two fantastic albums. He was also married to Rosanne Cash (daughter of the legend) so great Gene's.
This might not count as country. I don't know. But I heard it the other day in a restaurant and had to Shazam it because it was good. Turns out it's a Sheryl Crow song. Hmm.
Stefan Moore, Stefan Moore running down the wing. Stefan Moore, Stefan Moore running down the wing. He runs like a cheetah, his crosses couldn't be sweeter. Stefan Moore. Stefan Moore. Stefan Moore.
Never been much of a Country fan. I didn't even like the New Riders of the Purple Sage or the Grateful Dead, which didn't go down well back in the day.
I was listening to Zoe Ball on Radio 2 this morning and she played a song from the new Jonny Cash album,which was put together by his son and if that is the standard I think they would’ve been better to bury the master copy with him. I love the Jonny Cash classics,but this certainly isn’t one of them.I think it’s called “It’s alright” It was about meeting a bird in the laundromat and him asking if he could carry her washing basket for her.A real pile of garbage in my opinion.
I was listening to Zoe Ball on Radio 2 this morning and she played a song from the new Jonny Cash album,which was put together by his son and if that is the standard I think they would’ve been better to bury the master copy with him. I love the Jonny Cash classics,but this certainly isn’t one of them.I think it’s called “It’s alright” It was about meeting a bird in the laundromat and him asking if he could carry her washing basket for her.A real pile of garbage in my opinion.
It's called 'Well Alright'. And I think if you listen to it again you realise it's not really about asking to carry her washing.
Then I opened up the dryer and I set it on soft and light. She said be gentle with my silk and lace, and I said, well alright.
I still listen to a lot of country music, along with Bluegrass, Cajun and Americana folk. There's no such thing, essentially, as bad music just music you don't like. I love listening to Dolly Parton just as much as I love listening to Pink Floyd, The Who, Infected Mushroom, System Of A Down or Wu Tang Clan. I am currently sat at my PC listening to Ozric Tentacles but may feel in the mood for some KLF later in the day or Ani DiFranco. IMO, limiting your musical experience to a favourite genre greatly reduces your chances of stumbling across something you wouldn't normally listen to but discover that you love it. Recent stuff for me would be Destroy Boys, Pierce The Veil and Christine and the Queens. A lot of what Punter posts here is not to my taste but even then I still enjoy odd tunes from Apache Indian and General Levy... if you like it, you like it.
What a great post. Love a bit of country. Love classical music at times. Love punk. Love new romance. Love rap. Love metal. Sometimes I even love spice girls if I'm in the mood at the time. What I don't Love is people saying e.g. they're crap about any band or artist. I hate music bashing.
Sorry Beyoncé doing country is right up there with Karen Carpenter doing death metal. Being born north of the Mason Dixon line, country was never included within my musical sphere. This guy is one of the few exceptions, he never got the credit he deserved, but I think he never craved it. Short but sweet to the extreme;
Surely you're not saying JJ Cale never got the credit he deserved?
Sure, he tended to avoid the limelight, but he is undoubtedly one of the all time greats and widely revered by musicians and music fans alike.
Don't Go to Strangers is one of my faves.
Here's a nice tribute from a couple of reasonably well-know fans..
I like the “outlaw” side of country music - none more so than Johnny Paycheck. Apparently not the nicest chap on the planet but songs full of boozing, villainy, trouble heartache and all the things that make up country. Not with us anymore but one of his last songs was “ol' Pay aint checked out yet” Another was DOA (Drunk On Arrival)
This thread just can't go on any longer without a mention of Johnny Cash. I grew up living blues and rock, Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, Graham Parker etc. I didn't really like country (& western) but I always liked Johnny Cash. Then cames the American Records Series. The stripped down sound of Cash country produced by Rick Rubin and featuring such classics as 'Hurt' and 'The Beast in Me'. All of a sudden I was learning and listening to more country. I discovered the amazing Rodney Crowell, John Hiatt, Whiskeytown, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Calexico, Albert Lee and many more. Among radio shows I now listen too is Ralph McClean Country from Northern Ireland and available on BBC sounds. He plays some great music. I still don't like big hats and hyped up hoo ha ha or whatever, but when the artist is a little different like Margo Cilker or Iris de Ment it's up there with the best in blues and rock for me.
Good post - totally with you regarding Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt. Also - Richmond Fontaine are/were excellent
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