I grew up on country music so naturally as a young teenager I hated it and opted for Nirvana and Gangster Rap, everyone hates the cops at some point in their life. Anyway, my mom listened to country and it was prevalent at school dances and whatnot. My first concert ever was Ricky Van Shelton at the Phelps County Fair, he sang "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox When I Die". I didn't come back to it until my freshman year of college when heard Uncle Tupelo a perfect mix of country, folk, and distorted rock. Country can be cool. I took all of the old vinyl from my mom's house and got back into the greats, Willy, Merle, Hank Williams, Cash and so on. Its hard to find good new country. The radio is the worst place to look.
Here are some of the songs and albums I like.
Classics I come back to:
Dolly Parton Jolene (my all time favorite)
Marty Robins Big Iron
Roger Miller Dang Me
Townes Van Zandt Any song is good but Live at the Quarter is a great Album
Bettye LaVette What Condition My Condition Is In
Dwight Yokam Guitars and Cadillacs
Lyle Lovett Cowboy Man
Woody Gutherie Hobo's Lullaby (sing it to my kids at bedtime)
Newer Stuff I like:
Ryan Adams Easy Tiger
Justin Townes Earle Lone Pine Hill
Mofro and JJ Grey Dirtyfloorcracker
Jayhawks Tampa to Tulsa
Ween Piss Up a Rope
Plant/Krauss Rissing Sand is amazing
Jason Aldean Big Green Tractor (love the lyrics, hilarious)
I am no expert on the genre and don't really know what qualifies as country, country western, folk ect. I think the way to tell if its country is play it for any 15 year old in a large town, and if they hate it, it's probably county.
If you have others please post them in the comments.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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4 comments:
Enjoying your list... Checking out some of your "newer stuff."
I was a little surprised Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson didn't make your classics list. Maybe too predictable?
I couldn't list all the classics and everyone knows Willie, Merle, Hank Williams and Cash are awesome. Especially Johnny Cash's American Recordings.
Waylon Jennings - Dreaming My Dreams album (esp. Are you Sure Hank done it this way) and you have to give up country props to Willis Allen Ramsey and Jerry Jeff Walker. C'mon now Merrick. You done lived in Texas long enuff to know better son.
Ah, and what about Tom Waits.... good stuff!
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