With four hungry children and a crop in the field

[Guest]

I need to know more about country music. I want to separate out the wheat from the sheep and the chaff from the goats.

Some time ago, we attempted a list of the best ever world music albums. A brave idea which led to some informative discussion.

So what do you think? I thought perhaps we could do "50 great country music tracks across all of the decades". I've already got a few dubious selections at the ready.

[Norfolk Born]

"50 great country music tracks...".

Sounds like a contradiction in terms, but good luck. Having said that, I've always quite liked Billie Gentry's 'Ode to Billy Joe', Marty Robbins's 'El Paso' and Glen Campbell's 'Wichita Lineman'. I must admit I prefer artists who incorporate(d) elements of C&W into songs other formats - such as The Eagles and The Everly Brothers. Do you not find a lot of C&W songs unbearably mawkish ('Big John', 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and of course D.I.V.O.R.C.E)?

[MrGongGong]

I would go for
Mustt Mustt by Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan

unless its Country and Western you are after ?
rather than Country and Eastern

[johncorrigan]

Sounds like a contradiction in terms, but good luck. Having said that, I've always quite liked Billie Gentry's 'Ode to Billy Joe', Marty Robbins's 'El Paso' and Glen Campbell's 'Wichita Lineman'. I must admit I prefer artists who incorporate(d) elements of C&W into songs other formats - such as The Eagles and The Everly Brothers. Do you not find a lot of C&W songs unbearably mawkish ('Big John', 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and of course D.I.V.O.R.C.E)?

I love 'Big John '
Yours sincerely
Wee John

P.S. Wait till PS gets a sniff of this - doubt he'll stick at 50.

[Paul Sherratt]

>>>>50 great country music tracks...".
Sounds like a contradiction in terms, but good luck<<<


Ofca, I think people may just be simply scared of country music's approach to home truths


And along with Dr Jonathan Miller, I reckon Tammy Wynette's separation song is an all-time great piece !

[amateur51]

Sounds like a contradiction in terms, but good luck. Having said that, I've always quite liked Billie Gentry's 'Ode to Billy Joe', Marty Robbins's 'El Paso' and Glen Campbell's 'Wichita Lineman'. I must admit I prefer artists who incorporate(d) elements of C&W into songs other formats - such as The Eagles and The Everly Brothers. Do you not find a lot of C&W songs unbearably mawkish ('Big John', 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and of course D.I.V.O.R.C.E)?

I always felt there was at least a PhD for the grabbing in deconstructing Bobbie Gentry's Ode to Billie Joe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZt5Q-u4crc

I wonder, was Ofca thinking perhaps of Billy Dainty?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrghBJilwUM

[MrGongGong]

Jolene (not in the shower with Sid/Kenton)
has to be on your list methinks !

[amateur51]

Jolene (not in the shower with Sid/Kenton)
has to be on your list methinks !

[Mandryka]

Anyone seeking an entree into country should probably start with Hank Williams: he was a seriously great songwriter. It takes a huge talent to write songs as simple but heartfelt as his.

You might then like to proceed to Johnny/June Carter Cash, George Jones and/or Tammy Wynette. All made very credible albums in the sixties.

Kris Kristofferson was Cash's chief disciple; he couldn't sing, but he had some serious writing chops.

But perhaps a more suitable next stop would be the 'new country' of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, which was very much frowned on by the Opry Establishment in the 70s, as these 'hippies' were supposed to lack the salt of the earth mentality. They almost certainly did, but that was probably a good thing, imo. Check out Gram Parsons' Grievous Angel album (on which E.H. prominently guests) and if you like the opening track, you'll probably like new country.

[PatrickOD]

Looking forward to this Lt. I'm a bit out of date though. I always liked the directness of C&W, the yarns, the heartbreak, the anger and the love, not to mention the skill of the writing and the playing. One man's wheat is another man's goat, as seen already!, but I'll go along with Paul and John, and I'll throw my hat in the ring with one of my own - The City of New Orleans - I'm partial to Judy Collins' version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDGSb5NxtJY

[Rumbaba]

The Rubber Room - Porter Wagoner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbaCokEdNz0

[MrGongGong]

I know this has appeared in another thread
and its not the great Cash
but no Country collection is complete without

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ILfCzJiWQ

[Paul Sherratt]

Rumbaba,

There's only one Porter Wagoner ...
And when this work turns up at random from the several thousand items on the ipod
it will always be accompanied a small, discreet cheer !

Three versions of ' The Cold Hard Facts Of Life '
The first off record with lyrics followed by two live performances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9uUDNJaVSo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaC7W12N1ic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl4yjGzWOvI

[johncorrigan]

Anyone seeking an entree into country should probably start with Hank Williams: he was a seriously great songwriter. It takes a huge talent to write songs as simple but heartfelt as his.

I'm with you there M - the first song I ever heard that I loved that I thought 'that's country' was Hank's 'Honky Tonk Blues'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pHlSX_zbwY&feature=related

- it was on a juke box in a pub I frequented frequently and I must have driven everyone daft as I played it endlessly with this other rather crackin' country beaut by Hank Thompson. A celebration and a cautionary tale, all in one go, about the inevitability of the 'one for the road' - ain't that just country?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abQcAC01bpg

[johncorrigan]

I would go for
Mustt Mustt by Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan

unless its Country and Western you are after ?
rather than Country and Eastern

Or you could plump for C&N (Northern), MrGG like these fine fellows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pNf771GtKI

Where's the high tide when you need it?