I "cut my teeth" on Hank William Sr. and the first song on which I learned to play guitar was "You're Cheating Heart." In the 1970s Country became too pop and lost its distinctive sound, and thus its unique contribution to American life and culture. Sorry, but I just couldn't related to "Rhinestone Cowboy" as "typical country music." Randy Travis, Dwight Yokam, Reba McIntyre, and even Garth awakened those who felt as I did, bringing us out of hibernation to buy records. However, soon Country was flooded with one hit wonders and "cookie cutter" songs that sounded more like pop than country. Today country sounds like a mixture of soft rock and laid back Jimmy Buffet tunes. Country doesn't relate well when it sings of beaches and blue ocean waters. Country was birthed in the dark soil of agriculture and fishing holes. Am I the only one who is starting to go to sleep again?
Boy, you got to carry that weight a long time!
Posts: 401 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 14 October 2005
You're right. Loretta's album was not just one of her best; she has the right to claim recording one of the best albums of the year covering all genre! Also, I forgot about Johnny Cash's last recording. Few songs touch the human spirit like "I Hurt Myself Today." The "man in black" certainly brought a lot of light into the world.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rev. Rikard,
Boy, you got to carry that weight a long time!
Posts: 401 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 14 October 2005
It's true that there is no more great country/folk albums. "Van Lear Rose" is a great album, but is it normal to just talk about one country album for one year? And yeah, I hurt myself today is one of the best "country" song I ever heard.
I think that country and pop are again getting a little too comfortable with each other, with artists like Shania, Rascal Flatts, Big and Rich (Big Kenny was a real estate developer in my hometown; he's better suited to music) attempting to cross over, and succeeding. In my opinion, this is garbage, and Toby Keith as Superstar is embarrassing. Country's not my favorite genre but I like it as a separate entity from pop, in the form of people like Cash, Hank Jr., David Allan Coe, and Brooks & Dunn. I'd forgotten about country until Walk the Line and its amazing soundtrack. Side note raised by the movie: was there really a time and place in which you could see Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, and Johnny Cash in a high school gym?
It's true that there is no more great country/folk albums. "Van Lear Rose" is a great album, but is it normal to just talk about one country album for one year?
I'd like to hear what LinnTate has to say about this little nugget.
Posts: 1652 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 15 September 2004
I think Blues and Country are both suffering artistically in a major way. I find a big problem to be that lyrical topics in country music were once about the real, and have now shifted to pop fantasy, or just plain imitation. The art of storytelling was essential in the genre, and is fast becoming a lost art.
"If it were beneficial, their father would produce children already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become profitable in every respect." -Jesus, from the Gospel Of Thomas
Perhaps mainstream country music is now boring, but what about all those artists like Will Oldham, Bill Callahan, Sam Beam, Vic Chesnutt, Lyle Lovett, Jenny Lewis, and Lambchop, who have mixed country with soul and jazz. They have kept it relevant, both lyrically and musically, and made it a living, breathing, evolving thing, and not just sentimental nonsense trading off outdated myths about diners and purtty girls. People like Rosanne Cash and Loretta Lynn could be included in this also
Posts: 354 | Location: Havana, Cuba | Registered: 14 March 2006
Oh, thanks. I think it's true that those people I mentioned are the true heirs to Williams and Cash, because they have kept the central ideas of physical sensation and genuine emotion intact. It's the ones who are always referred to as country, like Randy this and Garth that, who pose beside enormous trucks on their album covers and wear pristine hats, that are actually no more country music than McDonalds is a restaurant. Right? So what are your favourite Lovett, Chesnutt, and Lambchop Albums
It's good to see that there are others that feel the same way. I remember growing up in the 80's listening to Bob Kingsley and the American Country Countdown. The last time I listened to it it was nothing but a countdown of the songs that I despise most.
Pop music sucks, and most stuff on country Radio is pop. I wish that the artists really cared about country music and not the fame of being a country singer. Nashville's only concern is reaching the largest number of wallets possible and you just can't do that with real country music. To do that you have to play with is most POPular, so screw the country fans of the world.
I have a very short list of artists that I have any respect for number one is Alan Jackson. He has stayed true to country music, when he stood up to Nashville in 99 and sang 'Choices' for George Jones I coudln't contain my enthusiasm.
Brad Paisley is a new artist that I have alot of respect for, here is a young guy who has more talent than all of the bubblegum pop singing idiots put togeather. It gives me hope to see him putting out good solid music.
I recently started listening to Dierks Bently and most of his music is good as well.
Aside from that I listen to all the classics, Merle, Hank, George... I just wish that there was more out there for country music fans.
Originally posted by Frank Valeron Esq.: Perhaps mainstream country music is now boring, but what about all those artists like Will Oldham, Bill Callahan, Sam Beam, Vic Chesnutt, Lyle Lovett, Jenny Lewis, and Lambchop, who have mixed country with soul and jazz. They have kept it relevant, both lyrically and musically, and made it a living, breathing, evolving thing, and not just sentimental nonsense trading off outdated myths about diners and purtty girls. People like Rosanne Cash and Loretta Lynn could be included in this also
That is so wrong! Music iis supposed to make you happy not want to commit suicide. Get some Shania on and cheer up!
Originally posted by Rev. Rikard: I "cut my teeth" on Hank William Sr. and the first song on which I learned to play guitar was "You're Cheating Heart." In the 1970s Country became too pop and lost its distinctive sound, and thus its unique contribution to American life and culture. Sorry, but I just couldn't related to "Rhinestone Cowboy" as "typical country music." Randy Travis, Dwight Yokam, Reba McIntyre, and even Garth awakened those who felt as I did, bringing us out of hibernation to buy records. However, soon Country was flooded with one hit wonders and "cookie cutter" songs that sounded more like pop than country. Today country sounds like a mixture of soft rock and laid back Jimmy Buffet tunes. Country doesn't relate well when it sings of beaches and blue ocean waters. Country was birthed in the dark soil of agriculture and fishing holes. Am I the only one who is starting to go to sleep again?
Maybe it's just me, but I'm really enjoying 'Straight to Hell' by Hank Williams III.
If anyone is bored with the current crop of auto tuned pop that masquerades as country you could do worse than check this album out. Be warned though - it's not for the faint hearted. Hank sings about getting loaded on drugs and alcohol and there's more than one reference to Satan. As far as country goes, it's pretty extreme but it's 100 times more exciting than the Dixie chicks.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm really enjoying 'Straight to Hell' by Hank Williams III.
I'm kind of surprised to find another Hank III fan here. Straight to Hell strikes a good middle ground between energetic psychobilly and traditional outlaw country for me. His songs are over the top and he self mythologizes more than Eminem, but I find the album compulsively listenable.
He also puts on a very unique live show. He comes out with an acoustic guitar, a stand up bass and a drum kit and plays a pure country set. Then he heads off stage, comes back with an electric guitar, electric bass, and then starts pounding out speed metal songs. I can't think of anybody else who plays a show like that.
That is so wrong! Music iis supposed to make you happy not want to commit suicide. Get some Shania on and cheer up! Wink
Shania Twain is not depressive, but it's not the kind of artist that can help you heal your depression. It's kind of useless music. It doesn't HEAL the soul, or mind or whatever.
