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Anyone Into Country?

post #1 of 43
9/27/11 at 11:56am
Thread Starter 

I looked through some of the threads...and, am I the only one around here that's first choice in music (in truck, home, and with cans) is Country music?

 

I listen to almost any type of music at work, but prefer Country...just curious if I am the only one in the head-fi world?

 

I love Country, not just because I am "Country"...but I love many of their instruments used, along with vocals...a great genre (IMHO) to be able to tune in on different instruments while listening.

 

What say you?

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post #2 of 43
9/27/11 at 4:39pm
Me, too!

I grew up in LA and was mostly exposed to rock on the radio and classical through the school orchestra.

In the late 1990s, a friend recommended Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt and Wilco. Those sank in and I've been a country fan since. I mostly listen to alt.country and classic country; the overproduced stuff from Nashville sounds a lot more like rock to me. I love the small groups, steel guitar and stripped-down sound. Country also led me into bluegrass and folk.

Shame that country isn't more popular here. I don't know why. There's great music, great lyrics, great singers, and great musicians. And country is as rooted in America as jazz and rock are, but it's older and draws deeply on our old folk traditions.

Funny thing, I spent a week in Ireland a couple years ago. Of course, I went out to see live music. Several bands slipped in songs from Cash and Hank Williams Sr. - the audiences went wild. Not tourist places, either. A happy surprise.

I hope a few more country fans come out of the woodwork here.
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post #3 of 43
9/27/11 at 6:09pm
I'm a big fan of old time country, bluegrass, honky tonk, western swing, cowboy singers and citybilly. I've been trying to attend concerts by the remaining classic country artists as I can. So far I've seen George Jones, Ray Price (twice), Merle Haggard, Little Jimmy Dickens and Dolly Parton. I'm afraid classic country isn't going to be around too much longer.
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post #4 of 43
9/27/11 at 6:17pm

It's classic and I find it better than pop nowadays. Love it! Meaningful lyrics and sweet sounding instruments - It's one of the best genres out there. No, you're not alone. beerchug.gif

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post #5 of 43
9/27/11 at 6:29pm

Any of you guys who are into Bluegrass need to check out Jerry Garcia's collaborations with Dave Grisman and other Bluegrass musicians (if you haven't already).  Really good stuff.  Jerry's range was incredible.  Going from Bluegrass to his jazzy collaboration with Merl Saunders to the Dead -- all terrific and distinctive in their own right. I still am very much into a "hippie" country -- Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Commander Cody, etc.  Got to love Jerry Jeff Walker and Kinky Friedman, too.  Cannot forget David Allen Coe.  Good thread.


Edited by Il Mostro - 9/27/11 at 6:32pm
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post #6 of 43
9/28/11 at 1:41am
Thanks - I will have to check out more of Garcia's work!

One big thrill was seeing Porter Wagoner at the Opry a few years back. Great experience and I'd love to go again. Actually, I'd love tomfind work in Nashville, just so I could hit the Opry week and spend weekends rolling up and down the Natchez Trace with an old car or motorcycle.

I did see Willie Nelson at the Greek last summer. A little rusty for the first couple of songs and then he locked in and gave a tremendous performance.
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post #7 of 43
9/28/11 at 1:50am

I'd say 90% of what I listen to these days is either country, bluegrass, or folk.  Some of the best vocalists in modern history have been in the country genre imo, its sort of a shame that its sort of disregarded by most people these days unfairly.

 

 

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post #8 of 43
9/28/11 at 3:20am

So what would be a few must-listen albums that you guys would suggest for someone new to Country? Preferably a few you all could agree on so I'm not flooded with recommendations.tongue_smile.gif

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post #9 of 43
9/28/11 at 3:39am
I would suggest DVDs. You can get them from Netfix.

Bluegrass Country Soul
Any of the Time Life Grand Ol Opry DVDs
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post #10 of 43
9/28/11 at 7:42am
Thread Starter 

Great responses here ti my thread...I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised...somewhat! By that, I live in Texas...always have (except for a 9 mo. brain lapse while living in Lawrence, KS) and tho there are many types of music around here...we are "Country Strong" down here! On the other side of the coin however, American Idol (not every-ones' favorite...but you have to admit it is a HUGE show) has produced some great country music singers, as well as having this past years top two...in the country only genre. Also, "The Voice" produced a bit of country in it's first season this year. Who knows what "The X Factor" will produce as it is still early on in the game.

 

When I referred to Country music, I intended to also mention (as I feel they fall within this genre...or at least close to it) Bluegrass, Gospel Bluegrass, Country Swing, Country & Western (the good stuff rarely played over the past 20+ years...but on a come back, I believe), Folk, Honky Tonk, and one of my favorites...Texas Country (yes, now considered a sub-genre!). You will find some of the best "sounds" for headphones, IMHO in Bluegrass and Live Texas Country music.

 

Now, "Country-Pop"...I pretty much dislike all of it...but thankfully, it is becoming more extinct and will continue to do so as more Americans look to our roots for inspiration to continue on during our weak economy.

 

There have been some awesome bands and musicians already mentioned here. There are many today (and from the past) that would be great for "getting an introduction to country music".

 

Here is a very short list of a few bands that I believe everyone should check out with their cans: (no particular order)

 

The Band Perry

Chuck Wagon Gang

Colt Ford

Cross Canadian Ragweed

Dolly Parton

Hickory Hill Band

Josh Abbott Band

 

If you need any more info on any from the list, or you liked/hated it...PM me and let me know...


Edited by quo155 - 9/28/11 at 1:39pm
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post #11 of 43
9/28/11 at 11:31am

I'd recommend Iris DeMent pretty strongly as she is easily my favorite contemporary vocalist.  A clip with her and John Prine, skip to 1:33.

 

Other contemporary recommendations: Neko Case, Gillian Welch, Laura Cantrell, Nickel Creek, Chris Thile/ Punch Brothers, Joanna Newsom.

 

Classics: Anything Carter family & Johnny Cash related, Bill Monroe, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson.

 

I'd also definitely giving the Oh Brother Where Art Thou OST a listen if you haven't already.

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post #12 of 43
9/28/11 at 1:35pm

nice topic, subscribed (for the recommendations)

 

I'm not very experienced with country orientated music but I do like it, I should get to know more.

 

I like the Levon Helm solo cd's a lot, also a more recent one called 'The Guitar Song' from Jamey Johnson

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post #13 of 43
9/28/11 at 2:19pm

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll check them out when I get time, etc.

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post #14 of 43
9/28/11 at 3:40pm
Another country music lover here. I listen to all types of music (except hip-hop/rap), but country is on the top of my list. I love the lyrics and the little stories in the songs..
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post #15 of 43
9/28/11 at 7:13pm

I like bluegrass and folk :D

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