Which country albums should I explore?

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This post was inspired by reading through K-Barn’s recent thread on country music.

Which country albums would you advise a relative newbie to the country music genre to pick up… you know, the MUST HAVE country classics, as well as the really good contemporary performers?

If you can make some general comparisons to other singers and styles within the genre, that would be helpful, i.e., “if you like Willie Nelson (I do!) then check out this guy…”

Some guidelines to help. I said I’m a relative newbie… I have been picking up some stuff over the past couple of years and have a bit of background, but am always on the lookout for interesting new stuff, or older stuff I haven’t discovered yet.

I like virtually all kinds of musical styles, so no fears there. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s “straight-ahead, old-fashioned country” or if it’s a crossover style.

Artists I alreadly like and have a few things by (mostly “greatest hits” and “essentials” compilations) include: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam (I *really, really * like Dwight, so more suggestions in this style are very welcome!!), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosanne Cash, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris.

That’s probably a pretty “classic” list, so… any younger, more contemporary singers I should give a listen to?

P.S. No country radio stations where I live. I’m not from the U.S.!! That’s why I need the suggestions, since I’m not likely to hear anything new or different. :irish2:

Thanks! 👍
 
I am not a country fan, but if I had the money I would buy the Time-Life Series because it is both a compendium and a history of country music. I am a history buff, and I think music reflects history. With this, and a similar jazz collection, (which I pretty much have already) I think I would have a pretty good history book of our country’s culture.
 
sounds like yhou have a good foundations, i was gonna say “anything Johnny Cash” 🙂
 
Rodney Aktins and Lonestar are two of the contempory artist that I really like. I also really like the Texas Country Music Scene. To me a lot of it sounds like the older country and not the mainstream country of today.
 
Moneo said:
This post was inspired by reading through K-Barn’s recent thread on country music.

Which country albums would you advise a relative newbie to the country music genre to pick up… you know, the MUST HAVE country classics, as well as the really good contemporary performers?

If you can make some general comparisons to other singers and styles within the genre, that would be helpful, i.e., “if you like Willie Nelson (I do!) then check out this guy…”

Some guidelines to help. I said I’m a relative newbie… I have been picking up some stuff over the past couple of years and have a bit of background, but am always on the lookout for interesting new stuff, or older stuff I haven’t discovered yet.

I like virtually all kinds of musical styles, so no fears there. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s “straight-ahead, old-fashioned country” or if it’s a crossover style.

Artists I alreadly like and have a few things by (mostly “greatest hits” and “essentials” compilations) include: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam (I *really, really * like Dwight, so more suggestions in this style are very welcome!!), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosanne Cash, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris.

That’s probably a pretty “classic” list, so… any younger, more contemporary singers I should give a listen to?

P.S. No country radio stations where I live. I’m not from the U.S.!! That’s why I need the suggestions, since I’m not likely to hear anything new or different. :irish2:

Thanks! 👍
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How about the classics Hank Williams Sr., The Carter family, Flatt and Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Little Jimmy Dickins, Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, Buck Owens, Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline, Dn Gibson, Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride. Most of these probably preceed most posters, but there are the true classics of country music. While I like much of today’s country, it has a rock and roll tempo much of the time and IMO leaves the classic country music category.
 
Good, good, good…

Thanks very much for the suggestions so far. Keep 'em coming! 👍

Puzzleannie: that sounds like a good idea. I’ve seen it advertised on TV, and it looks good! By the way, speaking of history and jazz, have you seen the Ken Burns documentary “The History of Jazz”? It’s out on DVD, and there are accompanying CDs that can be bought to dig deeper into the music of the artists you want to listen to more of.
Very cool, and very worthwhile :cool: ; I recommend it highly.

The Garg: Yes, I think I do, but I always want to dig deeper where I can. 😃 I forgot to mention that I discovered some quality bluegrass too in Alison Krauss + Union Station and Rhonda Vincent. I bought DVDs of their concerts. Man! Pretty girls, beautiful voices, great playing and very witty too!! I also recently picked up the posthumous Johnny Cash album and a re-mastered UK edition of his Live at Folsom Prison album from the 60s. Great stuff.

Techasin: Thanks for the tips, I’ll look 'em up. As for Texas, it’s one of the states in the U.S. I’d most like to visit, so that I could visit Austin. Is it as great a place for music as people make it out to be? I love Texas blues, by the way–Stevie Ray Vaughan!!

Marybobo: Yep, working my way through that list is a must-do. I recently picked up a Hank Williams collection, I only know two Patsy Cline songs so far, the most well-known I suppose: I Fall To Pieces and Crazy; and a friend just loaned me a Three Pickers album. So I’m on my way!! Thanks for the tips!!
 
For more contemporary, younger music:

Tim McGraw - his greatest hits albums are his best music
Faith Hill - esp. her earlier music
Martina McBride - LOVE her music!!!
Jessica Andrews
Kenny Chesney - some excellent songs
Josh Turner - esp. his newest album
Rascal Flatts
Brad Paisley
Nickelcreek - bluegrass

There’s more…my mind is drawing a blank right now. However, my favorites on this list are Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and Martina McBride. She has a phenomenal voice and her music is strong. 🙂
 
Since you have Johnny covered (of course, the “American Recordings” or the “God, Love, Murder” sets are essential Cash)…

Lyle Lovett
Robert Earl Keene
 
You may want to invest in some “greatest hits” cds from the following:

George Strait
Garth Brooks
Trisha Yearwood
Martina McBride
Patty Loveless
John Michael Montgomery
Collin Raye
Brooks & Dunn

My current favorite contemporary artists are:

Carrie Underwood
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban

Good luck in your search!
 
The Statler Brothers. They are the most awarded act in the history of country music.
 
Willie Nelson “Red Headed Stranger” is an excellent album. It’s not just a compilation of good songs. The album tells a story and each song stands on its own. Good old stuff.
 
Wow!!

Lots of names I’ve either only vaguely heard of, or not at all, This is great! Thanks for all the suggestions so far!!

🙂
 
Since you really like Dwight Yoakum as do I, then you may already this one, but if not, get his cd from a few years back “GONE” In my opinion, its the absolute peak of his career. An incredible album.

You may also like the sound track album to “O Brother Where Art Thou” from the movie of the same name

In case you werent aware, Garth Brooks has a 5 dvd set at Walmart which includes all his tv concerts and 15 music videos! All for $19.99! Its already on my XMAS list
 
Contemporary artists with the classic country sound:

Ricky Van Shelton
Clint Black
Mark Chesnutt
Alan Jackson (c’mon NO ONE mentioned Alan Jackson???)
Patty Loveless
Suzy Bogguss
Brad Paisley
Clay Walker
Of course, KING GEORGE (Strait, that is!)

According to CMT (Country Music Television) the all time greatest country song is “Stand by Your Man” by Tammy Wynette, but I personally prefer their number 2 choice: “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by the other King George (Jones)!

Other classic artists I love: Marty Robbins (he sang the anthem to my hometown “El Paso”), Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Bros. Band, Mel Tillis, and Mickey Gilley (in fact, get the soundtrack to “Urban Cowboy”!)

For fun, check out Tom T. Hall (known as “The Storyteller”), Roger Miller (no one ever had so much fun singing!), The OakRidge Boys (besides the Statler Bros. another classic/contemporary quartet), C.W. McCall (“mercy sakes’ alive, looks like we got us a CONVOY!”) and Michael Martin Murphy’s classic cowboy songs. And if you really want to have fun this Christmas, find his album “Cowboy Christmas: Cowboy Songs II”.

Whew! I’m done!
 
Moneo said:
This post was inspired by reading through K-Barn’s recent thread on country music.

Which country albums would you advise a relative newbie to the country music genre to pick up… you know, the MUST HAVE country classics, as well as the really good contemporary performers?

If you can make some general comparisons to other singers and styles within the genre, that would be helpful, i.e., “if you like Willie Nelson (I do!) then check out this guy…”

Some guidelines to help. I said I’m a relative newbie… I have been picking up some stuff over the past couple of years and have a bit of background, but am always on the lookout for interesting new stuff, or older stuff I haven’t discovered yet.

I like virtually all kinds of musical styles, so no fears there. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s “straight-ahead, old-fashioned country” or if it’s a crossover style.

Artists I alreadly like and have a few things by (mostly “greatest hits” and “essentials” compilations) include: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam (I *really, really * like Dwight, so more suggestions in this style are very welcome!!), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosanne Cash, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris.

That’s probably a pretty “classic” list, so… any younger, more contemporary singers I should give a listen to?

P.S. No country radio stations where I live. I’m not from the U.S.!! That’s why I need the suggestions, since I’m not likely to hear anything new or different. :irish2:

Thanks! 👍
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First, here’s a link to Country radio stations broadcasting over the Internet!

You listed some artists that are either country-rock, or honky tonk styles. I would suggest Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Byrd, Randy Travis, Moe Bandy, Brad Paisley, Joe Nichols, Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker and Pam Tillis and her father Mel Tills.
 
CMA Awards Albums of the Year (In chronological order)

1967-There Goes My Everything - Jack Greene
1968-Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash
1969-Johnny Cash At San Quentin - Johnny Cash
1970-Okie From Muskogee - Merle Haggard
1971-I Won’t Mention It Again - Ray Price
1972-Let Me Tell You About a Song - Merle Haggard
1973-Behind Closed Doors - Charlie Rich
1974-A Very Special Love Song - Charlie Rich
1975-A Legend in My Time - Ronnie Milsap
1976-Wanted: The Outlaws - Willie Nelson
1977-Ronnie Milsap Live - Ronnie Milsap
1978-It Was Almost Like a Song - Ronnie Milsap
1979-The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
1980-Coal Miners Daughter - Original Soundtrack
1981-I Believe In You - Don Williams
1982-Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson
1983-The Closer You Get - Alabama
1984-A Little Good News - Anne Murray
1985-Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind - George Strait
1986-Lost In The Fifties Tonight - Ronnie Milsap
1987-Always And Forever - Randy Travis
1988-Born to Boogie - Hank Williams Jr.
1989-Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Pt…2) - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
1990-Pickin’ on Nashville - Various Artists
1991-No Fences - Garth Brooks
1992-Ropin’ the Wind - Garth Brooks
1993-I Still Believe in You - Vince Gill
1994-Common Threads: The Songs of The Eagles - Various Artists
1995-When Fallen Angels Fly - Patty Loveless
1996-Blue Clear Sky - George Strait
1997-Carrying Your Love With Me - George Strait
1998-Everywhere - Tim McGraw
1999-A Place in the Sun - Tim McGraw
2000-Fly - Dixie Chicks
2001-O Brother, Where Art Thou - Soundtrack
2002-Drive - Alan Jackson
2003-American IV: the Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash
2004-When the Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney
2005-There’s More Where That Came From - Lee Ann Womack
2006-Time Well Wasted - Brad Paisley

I hope this list helps you find what you want to look for. At least this will open up the possibilities for more artists. On my initial post I forgot to mention, Ronnie Milsap
 
clearcutkip said:
Willie Nelson “Red Headed Stranger” is an excellent album. It’s not just a compilation of good songs. The album tells a story and each song stands on its own. Good old stuff.
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Yes! 👍 I second that. It just may be Country music’s first “concept album”.

More of an example of the country-rock genre would be Mason Proffit-the band John Michael Talbot was in with his brother Terry before he went exclusively Christian. 1972’s ROCKFISH CROSSING is my favorite.

The seventies was my favorite decade for country music. Charlie Pride, Freddy Fender, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris (featuring a shredding Albert Lee on lead guitar). . .

I could go on and on but I’m at work now. I’ll try to give you some specific album names later.
 
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