Classic Country Albums
 

Perhaps the mother of all outlaw country music albums. Wanted! The Outlaws showed who was boss by selling a million copies, which had never been done before in country music history. This album was categorized as "Outlaw" because of the dislike that Jennings, Nelson, Colter and Glaser had for record producer Chet Adkins' newly softened and watered down Nashville country music sound. Instead of giving in to this latest trend, these musicians, along with others, took a jump and went out on thier own so that they could play their music the way they wanted to play it, raw and genuine.

Not only were these four musicans business parteners, but also very good friends, not to mention Jennings and Colter were even married. I think that these friendships added to the success of the album because of the great chemisty you hear and feel when these artists duet and jam together.

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys An acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and Waylons voice which is all you need. A pretty slow beat for being the first track of the album, but approprietly though, for the subject matter Waylon is singing about. This song is as good a description of the lives of these musicans and outlaws as any.

Honky Tonk Heroes Another description by Jennings of the lives that these men are leading, but alot more light-hearted and faster. And I have to mention those amazing harmonica wails.

Whats Happened To Blue Eyes I'm not the biggest fan of female country music singers and Jesse Colter is not my favorite, but I think the female presence she brings is nice among all this rough and tumble music. She does a pretty respectable job in this song, but its not my favorite track on the album by any means.

You Mean To Say Another by Colter and better than the last. She is a pretty good song writer, I will give her that. But I know why she is on the album, and its not because of her singing, haha.

Suspicious Minds A duet with Waylon and Jesse of the old Elvis song. I think the country twist is pretty interesting but a pretty yuppy song for this album. To be honest, I usually skip over this one.

Good Hearted Woman Now THIS is what I'm talkin about! Willie and Waylon singing and jamming it out live. That beginning classic rhythm is so full of anticipation. And that deep voice of Waylon just pulls you in to everything he is saying. Then Willie and his unique and contrasting trademark voice comes in and takes everything to a whole nother level. I, personally, adore the lyrics. I may be more apt to liking this song just because it is something that I have grown up listening to, but this hits home for so many people. My favorite lyric.

"He likes the bright lights and night life and good time friends
And when the party's all over she'll welcome him back home again
Lord knows she don't understand him but she does the best that she can
A-this good hearted woman, lovin' a good timin' man"

Heaven or Hell By far my favorite song on the album, and possible my favorite country song of all time. Everything is so simple in this song. The guitar riff, the lyrics, the vocals, and its only 1:41 seconds long. And who hasn't felt this before?

Sometimes it's heaven, sometimes it's hell
Sometimes I don't even know
Sometimes I take it as far as I can
Sometimes I don't even go

My front tracks are headed for a cold water well
My back tracks are covered with snow
Sometimes it's heaven,sometimes it's hell
Sometimes I don't even know

Heaven ain't walking a street paved with gold
Hell ain't a mountain of fire
Heaven is laying in my sweet baby's arms
Hell is when my baby's not there

My front tracks are headed for a cold water well
My back tracks are covered with snow
Sometimes it's heaven, sometimes it's hell
Sometimes I don't even know

Sometimes it's heaven,
Sometimes it's hell,
Sometimes I don't even know

Me and Paul Willie takes over and this song tells the humorous adventures of Willie Nelson and the drummer of his band, Paul English and all the trouble they have been getting into. And they add a little slam to Nashville while they're at it. I love the sound quality in this song, echoey and almost far away, it just reeks of old age. Great track.

Yesterday's Wine Classic Willie, this song. Much more of a poet than any of the guys on the album. This song is just another beauty by Willie, I can't really even say anything about this song, just because it is what it is. You'll just have to listen to it.

T For Texas On the complete other hand, Tompall Glaser is the rowdiest on the album and also the shallowest. Not that that is a bad thing though, it makes for a good change up. This song is just about a mixture of things. He throws in whatever he feels like singing. I rather like Tompall's mumbley trailing voice, though.

Put Another Log on the Fire I have a feeling Tompall might be like this in real life too because he calls out these orders like he's done it a million times. I would say this is my least favorite song on the album, but still its pretty entertaining.


Me And Paul

Despite my ice-cool, English-as-Yorkshire-pudding-in-gravy exterior, I actually do have quite a soft spot for classic country :D I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread.

I haven't come across the Outlaws before, but I do recognise a couple of the names attached to them, so I'll add that album to my swelling -to-listen-to list. I've been needing some more of this stuff to, so keep the reviews coming eh :)

Hahahaha, You just made my day, Bulldog. I really am surprised, no actually shocked you like classic country. I can't wait to pump your library full of it.

Okie From Muskogee

Okie From Muskogee was a live album in 1969 done no other place than in Muskogee, Oklahoma. It reached #1 on the Country Billboards in 1970. Merle picked Muskogee, Oklahoma of all places because of family ties to the town. This album being live is more special than any studio version he could have done because you get to hear the people of Muskogee reactions to the things he sang about. You get a much clearer vision of people beliefs and ways of living in this town of Muskogee and these people absolutely loved Merle for it. By far the most exciting thing that has ever happened to this town and they still talk about it to this day.

Mama Tried is the first song of the concert and most definitely gets things moving. This song is about a rebellious kid who was going to do what he was going to do and wouldn't let anyone tell him any different. He came from a good humble family that did everything right and tried to turn him in the right direction, especially Mama, but as he says in his song "I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole, no one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried, Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied. That leaves only me to blame cause Mama tried"

No Hard Times is one that I really enjoy especially to sing along with. This song just makes you appreciate those ol boys who are poor as church mice, live off their land, and are just as happy as everybody else. Merle does a interesting vocal job in this one by adding some wild pitch changes.

Silver Wings is a very simple story line about Merle watching his woman fly away in an airplane. But its amazing how clear a picture he puts in your head and you can see the whole thing.

The next two tracks involve the mayor of Muskogee giving Merle a key to the city and so on. You can just hear in his voice the admiration and appreciation the mayor has for Merle.

Swingin Doors Many country bands have done a song of similar subject matter about hanging out at a bar for so long it has now become their home, but I think I like Merle's version the best. It is very catchy and has a great chorus that really makes you want to sing along, and what Ilike about it is that he never says the bar is his new home but he descibes everything in the bar that is now his. I just think it is a clever spin.

I'm A Lonesome Fugitive Another one of Merle's songs about prison and the life after.

Sing Me Back Home Probably one of Merle's best creations. A very emotional and helpless situation that tells of a man on death row that wants Merle to sing and a play a song that his mother used to sing for him so that the music can take him back to that moment in time.

Branded Man One of my favorites on this album. "No matter where I'm livin, I gotta tell them where I've been" is one of the best lyrics. He just can't get away from the "black mark" of prison no matter how hard he tries.

In the Arms of Love I don't have a lot to say about this one because I'm not real crazy about it. Probably the only weak song on the whole album though and Merle didn't even write it, Buck Owens did.

Workin Man Blues This song sums up so many lives of people around where I live its unbelievable. I would hate to think how many times my dad has played this song and sang along to every word, especially, "Hey, hey the workin man, workin man like me, ain't never been on welfare thats one place I won't be, cause I'll go back workin." Great guitar beat and rhythm on top of everything else. I think Crash Override reviewed this song wonderfully in his journal so you can go look at his.

Hobo Bill's Last Ride An interesting story that keeps you listening in this one. Merle slows her down a bit and reverts back to his old fashioned style that matches well with the old fashioned story.

Billy Overcame His Size Wow, two songs in a row about Bills. I just now noticed that. Anyway, a good message in this one. In fact they wrote it coming up to this concert in Muskogee. I feel that this song gives the message that no matter how big or small you are in size, its the things that you do that determine how big or small a person you are.

If I Had Left It Up To You Such a good one, my favorite on the album. And so sad, poor Merle. Reading the lyrics just does this no justice, mind you. This song is all in his voice.

You made plans to leave a thousand times I know
And a thousand times, I should have let you go
But each time I'll always beg you back somehow
If I'd left it up to you it'd all be over now

It'd all be over now cept the crying
I'd be used to spending all my nights alone
Wish I'd found the way to let you go somehow
If I'd left it up to you
it'd all be over now

White Line Fever Merle wrote this one for all the container drivers out there, and I bet this was certainly blaring on their radios in 1969 and 70 and if I was a truck driver (haha) I would still have it blaring. "The wrinkles in my forehead showthe miles I've put behind me. They continue to remind me how fast I'm growing old. Guess I'll die with this fever in my soul" You would think when Merle sings this song, he has been a truck driver for all his life it is so believable. And the song does make you wonder how those truck drivers do keep pushing on.

Okie From Muskogee It's worth listening to this song just to hear the rowdy Muskogee crown laugh and hoot and holler during the whole song. This song disapproves and makes fun of the hippie culture that was so big at that time (even some hippies found the song amusing and liked it anyway) and says they do everything the right way in Muskogee. Like this:

We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee;
We don't take our trips on LSD
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street;
We like livin' right, and bein' free.

I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all

We don't make a party out of lovin';
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo;
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy,
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do.

And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.

Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear;
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen.
Football's still the roughest thing on campus,
And the kids here still respect the college dean.

We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.

Not only did this song tell the other side of the story, but was an important mark in history in the eventful year of '69.



They didn't have what I wanted on Youtube so heres some actual
SONGS!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/imvyywzzxcn/ Mama Tried.m4a
http://www.mediafire.com/file/0itomwzymyz/ If I Had Left It Up to You.m4a

Ah, Merle Haggard, there's someone I've heard of but never actually done much about when it comes to getting albums. He's one of those country legends that I haven't got into simply as I don't have a clue where to start with him. I'll be having a look for that one as well then.

Basically, my road to classic country coolness started with Elvis Costello's Almost Blue - an album of c & w covers (he actually does a pretty good version of Haggard's own Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down as well). Took me a while to get into it, but it's led to me discovering some absolute gems down the years.

Anyway, top thread, top reviews. Both of those albums are now on my hitlist, so thanks for that :D

I had classic country shoved down my throat at a young age, so some of these names are familiar for me. :D

Good luck with this!

Great thread, can't wait to see more.

Although I would have gone with 'Swingin' Doors and The Bottle Let Me Down' for best Merle album, that album = me getting drunk by myself everytime.

Good, good, good. Interesting about Costello.
I hope you downloaded those two little sampler songs right up there in the Merle review. The links look screwed up but they work.

Well we try to get you guys when you're young and vunerable haha. Anyway, I'm glad this thread has perked your interest. Keep checking in!

Hahaha, I think that's what it was made for! Who knows maybe I throw those albums in there too when I run out of other material. :p: Feel welcome to put your own reviews in here, Crash.

No Other - Gene Clark (1974)

In my top 25 of all time.

Classic

I will say with all sincerity that Country music has always been associated with a certain image and in Britain especially it barely gets the time of day. This is probably because that if Country does make it's way through the musical barriers then it will ostensibly be watered down 2 nd rate crap A la Garth Brooks or Dolly Partons tits!

However, I have been doing my own digging into the genre over the past year or so and have found a rich and diverse genre of music that while it's not neccessarily conducive to myself, I have still come to appreciate many artists and albums.

Some of my picks may not even fall into the category, for which I apologise:

Alison Krauss & Union Station-Lonely Runs Both Ways
Dixie Chicks-Home
Dwight Yoakam- Best Of
Great Lake Swimmers-Lost Channels
Jim White-Wrong Eyed Jesus
Lambchop-OH(ohio)
Lucero-Tennesee
William Eliott Whitmore-Animals In The Dark

Personally, I couldn't recommend the Byrds' Sweetheart Of the Rodeo enough to anyone who's yet to get into classic country - it's the first such album that truly clicked with me anyway.

Had a listen to Mama Tried the other day FC - I liked what I heard but I can't find this album anywhere though (as I'd expected), so I got some best of other I found instead.

Looking forward to your next review :)

Classic Country music is easily one of the most overlooked genres within these boards.

I'm certain this thread will be a wonderful edition to the site, I always loved the complete lack of expression on the faces of classic country artists like Haggard, Conway Twitty or George Jones.

I spent a lot of time listening to Country Music in the early ninties and still have a little affection left for it.

Oh really, I had never heard of Gene Clark before but I'll look into it, thanks.

I see what you mean, Jackhammer. Well, I will try to do my best to get you into some of these old classic country boys so you can spread the good word around Britain for me! I hope I havent scared you off with Johnny Paycheck though! haha. I recognize the first three on your list, though, honestly, I'm not crazy about them. Still need to look into the others, you have me very curious about them.


Feel free to do a review over the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo if you want to. I absolutly love the Byrds, but actually much more familiar with their hippie-er albums. Thanks for mentioning it because after I get off here, I'm gonna go check it out.

hahaha! I know! Boy they aren't the easiest to look at either. Especially George Jones. Did you know he had the nickname "possum"? I heard on the news the other day that Conway Twitty broke his hip when he was performing on stage in Branson. I didn't even know the poor guy was still alive. But anyway, glad to hear you have an interest in this type of music. I've been racking my brain as to which album I'm going to review next.

I love your reviews. I don't have much to say about them, but I enjoy reading them. :)

Good, glad your diggin it WWWP :thumb:

Might do that sometime soon actually (in a seperate thread of course :)). It's an album made mostly of covers and the only Byrds album to feature Gram Parsons as a member. Definitely worth a shot.

I'm just going start this off by saying Willie and Family Live is by far my FAVORITE classic country album. I have always leaned toward Willie because of pure superior talent he has compared to all the other outlaws and classic country artists. Guys like Willie Nelson don't come around too often. He really has the whole package. Amazing guitar skills with a very distinct Willie sound. Unique vocals, almost to a fault because many people dislike his voice. Emotional, heartfelt, and imaginative songwriting that cannot be touched by any other in this genre. And finally, a perfect band to complete his sound. I would say that you could not make any opinions about Willie Nelson's music unless you have listened to this album from beginning to end.

Willie and Family Live was a live concert in '78 performed by Willie and his band in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. His band consisted of his sister Bobbie Nelson on piano, Paul English on drums with help from Rex Ludwig, Mickey Raphael on harmonica (who I think is one of the best harmonica players out there), Jody Payne on guitar, and Chris Ethridge on bass. Most of these band members are still in Willie's band to this day. Also there are guest appearances from Johnny Paycheck and Emmylou Harris.

This album makes very minimal pauses. Its very interesting because Willie likes to go from one song and transition it right into the next so there is very little slowing down. Willie goes from sweet lyrical love songs on this album to ripping up his guitar and singing his voice hoarse with songs about whiskey and drugs. Its quite an experience, this album is, and I think its Willie Nelson at his best.

I could probably write a novel about every one of these songs, but I'll keep it as short as I can because there are 29 tracks.....Yeah, I know.

Whiskey River One Willie's trademark songs and he always starts and ends with this song at his concerts no matter what. Those first few guitar chords and and Mickey's harmonica gets the energy flowing and tell you right off that this is going to be a great album.

Stay A Little Longer Willie packs this concert with little one, two or three minute songs. This is one of those little songs. Some overwhelmingly good guitar playing in this one.

Funny How Time Slips Away Now this is what I'm talking about when I say he has some beautifully written songs. One of my favorites on the album.

Crazy This is a song that Willie wrote for Patsy Cline and it was one of the songs that made her famous. I still think Willie sings it better

Night Life Willie loves jazz and it has influenced his music in a huge way. This song is one that really incoorperates that jazz influence in there. This song goes from huge wild jams to a complete stop with Wilie throwing out a soft little lyric then continuing on with that massive jam of instruments.

If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time This is a fun carefree song that just cracks me up.

Mamma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys Good, but just not the same without Waylon

I Can Get Off On You I think the lyrics say it all in this one. I don't know if its 100% true though haha.

If You Can Touch Her at All This is one of those sweet lyrical love songs I was talking about. My favorite song on the album. I want to post the lyrics but they just reading the lyrics does this song no justice because its the way Willie sings them that makes them so special. A jewel of a song that really heats up the album.

Good Hearted Woman Good, but not the same without Waylon

Red Headed Stranger ATTENTION!! A must listen song. Actually, this is not a song, but more a like a story and a journey Willie takes you on. I think this song deserves some sort of genius award because it is truely a 14 minute musical masterpiece. I cannot really descibe this song very well because it is like nothing I have ever heard before.

Under The Double Eagle An great fast paced instrumental that has each musician take their turn and do a solo and show off what they can do.

Till I Gain Control Again Beautifully performed by the band and this song features Emmylou Harris doing the female vocals.

Bloody Mary Morning A very fast paced song and the beginning is great. Alot of Willie Nelson's songs have to do with this subject it seems haha.

I'm A Memory Only a 1:52 long, but packs a punch with its lyrics. And the band plays in great harmony, in this one especially.

Mr. Record Man Another real short one but this one is so sad. I have to go back and listen to this one a few times when I play this album, just because this song is so good, but its so short.

Hello Walls Mr. Record Man blends right into this one and you hardy notice the change of song. And I just can't get over the clever songwriting by Willie. Just look at these lyrics and tell me that they don't break your heart.

Hello walls,
How'd things go for you today?
Don't you miss her.
Since she up and walked away?
And I'll bet you dread to spend another lonely night with me,
But lonely walls, I'll keep you company.

Hello window,
Well, I see that you're still here.
Aren't you lonely,
Since our darlin disappeared?
Well look here, is that a teardrop in the corner of your pane?
Now don't you try to tell me that's it's rain.

She went away and left us all alone the way she planned.
Guess we'll have to learn to get along without her if we can.

Hello ceiling,
I'm gonna stare at you a while.
You know I can't sleep,
So won't you bear with me a while?
We gotta all stick together or else I'll lose my mind.
I gotta feelin' she'll be gone a long, long time.

I Live One Day At a Time Well, this is just another great one what can I say. So simple but so thought provoking, just like his others.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken These both kinda suck though. Not because of the band or anything, just because they are boring.
Amazing Grace

Take This Job and Shove It Heres where Johnny Paycheck makes his appearance. This song just cracks me up, especially since this is the live version and Johnny doesn't hold back on any cussing, he just singing the way he wants too. He even changes the lyrics halfway through and bellows "Take this job and stick it!!!!" And the crowd just roars.

Uncloudy Day Back to the real talent, Willie just shreds his guitar with the beginning of this song and is one of my favorite jams that is on this album.

The Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line Mickey Raphael, the harmonica player, absolutely shines in this one. I don't know where the band would be without this guy, he is really skilled with that harmonica and he adds little effects in there that make such a impact with the atmosphere of the song. He also helps give the band that recognizable Willie Nelson sound.

A Song For You Willie's guitar pretty much speaks in this one. When he sings "listen to the melody for my love is in their hiding" and then plays that amazing little guitar solo, it gives me goosebumps. And he sings the lyrics spot on, never overcooking them.

Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms This song is a complete switch in mood and it makes for a good change, though the song itself is nothing special

Georgia On My Mind A very nice rendition of this beautiful song. Soft, simple and just what it is supposed to sound like. But as you can hear in the audience, it is all they can do to sit through this sweet mushy stuff.

Gotta Get Drunk On the other hand, this song is just what the crowd was waiting to hear. A rowdy song about Willie's poor ol habits that about everyone could relate to. The song is actually pretty hilarious.

Well I gotta get drunk and I sure do dread it cause I know just what I'm gonna do
I'll start to spend my money call everybody honey and wind up singing the blues
I'll spend my whole paycheck on some old wreck
brother I can name you a few
But I gotta get drunk and I sure do dread it cause I know just what I'm gonna do

I gotta get drunk I just can't stay sober there's a lot of good people in town
Who'd like to hear me holler see me spend my dollars
And I wouldn't think of lettin' 'em down
There's a lot of doctors that tell me
that I'd better start slowin' it down
But there's more old drunkers than there are old doctors
So I guess we'd better have another round

Whiskey River Gotta Get Drunk warmed the band up pretty good so this version of Whiskey River is a little wilder and all over the place than at the beginning. The crowd is yelling and screaming and going crazy during this one I might add.

The Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line They blend Whiskey River right into this one and it makes for a great ending to a great album.

You guys better download these cause they took me forever to upload, haha. I loaded a few of my personal favorites, and Whiskey River of course.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/w2fzyqnwgef/11 Red Headed Stranger.m4a

http://www.mediafire.com/file/tydqjyxz2uj/05 Hello Walls.m4a

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nxzmuynnwoi/2-11 The Only Daddy That'll Walk The.m4a

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mdnozzjegy3/12 Whiskey River.m4a

http://www.mediafire.com/file/tyne0xniecy/09 If You Could Touch Her At All.m4a

Haven't been here in a while, good thread. I'd enjoy reading reviews on:

Buck Owens - Discography
Townes Van Zandt - Discography
Waylon Jennings - The Taker/Tulsa or Lonesome, On'ry And Mean
Guy Clark - Old No. 1
David Allan Coe - Once Upon A Rhyme
Emmylou Harris - Elite Hotel

As for recent material, the genre's mainstream branch has essentially become a blend of pop-rock and overly polished country. Far too glossy and soulless for me personally, so the real gems lie in alt-country with acts such as Richard Buckner, Whiskeytown, 16 Horsepower, and so on leading the way.

I'll see what I can do good buddy



Man, it seems my Willie and Family Live album went over like a screen door on a submarine :( , but don't give up on me guys I'm working on my next review

This album right here is classic classic country music. Simple lyrics, strong bluegrass roots, rough sound quality, and old fashioned vocal style are all factors that give away the age of this album. When I listen to this album I feel like I am hearing an ancient artifact of country music history. And those things let me overlook the pretty outdated dorkiness of it :)

Hank Williams was one of his era's music giants and influenced so many of the up and coming artists. Don't let his innocent outward appearance fool you, he was a wild man, especially for his time. A few of his songs on this album give you a little idea while keeping it pretty PG.

I would also like to add that, the album I am reviewing was released in LP form, but was later redone and called "Greatest Hits" in 1981. Its the same songs just different order. I picked this album because it is not missing any good songs, and if I were to recommend one, it would be this.

Your Cheatin Heart A pretty slow one, basic blugrass instruments, basic beat, but I love the lyrics. One of Hanks biggest hits and one of my favorites.

Jambalaya
Homesick Blues
Half As Much
Cold Cold Heart

Hey Good Lookin This song really is a window into the lives of the people of these times. I have to laugh when I hear this just because it didn't take much to entertain them and the lyrics really show it. I would hate to think how many time some guy sand this to his wife back in the day cause my grandpa used to sing it to my grandma all the time.

Hey, hey, good lookin',
Whatcha got cookin'?
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me?
Hey, sweet baby,
Don't you think maybe
We could find us a brand new recipe?
I got a hot-rod Ford and a two-dollar bill
And I know a spot right over the hill.
There's soda pop and the dancin's free,
So if you wanna have fun come along with me.
Hey, good lookin',
Whatcha got cookin'?
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me?

I'm free and ready,
So we can go steady.
How's about savin' all your time for me?
No more lookin',
I know I've been tooken [sic].
How's about keepin' steady company?

I'm gonna throw my date-book over the fence
And find me one for five or ten cents.
I'll keep it 'til it's covered with age
'Cause I'm writin' your name down on every page.
Hey, good lookin',
Whatcha got cookin'?
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me?


Why Don't You Love Me
Weddin Bells
Kaw Liga
So Lonesome I Could Cry
Ramblin Man

Honky Tonkin My favorite off the album. Its got great, great rhythm and I think it really gives you the best feel of his Hank's music in general. His vocals crack me up in this song. He is on the edge of yodeling at times.

Overall, I wanted to review this Hank Williams Sr. album just so you guys can check it out and experience it a couple times, not necessarily fall in love with it, because I doubt that will be the case.

I love the scene in Shawshank Redemption when Andy gets the money for the Library's expansion and they show the other con (Who'd post-requested Hank after the courtyard Opera scene) listening finally to his Hank Williams.

This thread is coming along nicely.

JayJamJah, I too love that scene and thank you


Hank Williams Jr. followed in his father's footsteps and became a country music singer with just as much, if even more, success. But he had quite a different story. At first he tried to stay in the same traditional style as Hank Sr. but that only got him mild success, and he was often called his fathers clone. Then he changed musical direction and put his own spin on things which put him on the road of his fame. But with all that fame came the drugs and crap that goes with it. Then he tried to commit suicide in 1973. He even sings in one of his biggest hits, "Family Tradition" the line

"I have loved some ladies,
and I have loved Jim Beam.
And they both tried to kill me
in 1973"

After that he joined his buddies, Waylon Jennings the boys and went a little more in the outlaw direction. Just when he started getting straightened out and getting his career back together, he was climbing a mountain in Montana and fell down it, splitting his skull open and mangling his face. He barely survived and he had to have all sorts of reconstructive surgery on his face.
After he recovered he just kept on making albums and eventually became a huge icon of Monday Night Football.

Hank Williams Jr. had more of a reputation in performance than anything, though. He was announed Entertainer of the Year three years in a row, 1986, 1987, 1988. My dad told me that he went to one of his concerts one time and he said that Hank Jr. was firing blanks out into the audience, so that tells you something about how wild his concerts are.

Hank Jr. is no great poet, he doesn't have a lot of class, and he's no guitar wizard. But this man has alot of charisma and personality that shines through in his music that makes it something personal and special.


Old Habits A pretty soft one for Hank, but good nonetheless.

"Well I kicked the habit, of smoking back sometime ago.
And I tried the hard stuff, but I had to let all that go.
But the toughest thing I ever gave up was today.
Cause old habits like you are hard to break."

Dinosaur This shows Hanks true colors a little more. In this one he talks about how he can't keep up with all this craziness and changes that are going on in the world (while at the same time expressing his low tolerance for disco and *** people), which makes him a dinosaur.

Kaw Liga Classic tune of his fathers but I do beileve his version is better. The beginning guitar riff reminds me of the beginning of "Trampled Underfoot" by Zeppelin ALOT. But anyway a cute, high energy song. He sings of a wooden Indian statue in a store and he uses some personification that makes you look at the Indian like a real person.

Here I Am Falling Of the slow songs on the album, I would say this is the best.

The Blues Man I, personally, am not huge on this one. A little bit on the boring side.

All In Alabama This song refers to his mountain accident in Montana and how he wanted to be back in his homeland of Alabama.

The American Way This song is a little more rough and tumble. He sings about his experiences in America and how he is learning "as he gains a little age, about the power of the dollar and people with white collars and the good old American way" In other words, he doesn't like the way the upper class looks at his cowboy boots and such because the good old American way is with the people without all the money.

Move It On Over His cover of this song is not bad I must say. He's got the attitude it takes to pull this song off.

Won't It Be Nice Another song about his troubles with his women. He seems to sing about this subject quite a bit :)

If You Don't Like Hank Williams Hank is pretty blunt in this song. You are no friend of his, if you don't like his father pretty much. He also mentions his strong friendships with all his fellow outlaws.

A true epic tale of the American working man in the early 1900's, and one of Johnny Cash's best themed concept albums. It tells the tale of an American railroad worker in the beginning of the century, and does a great job of doing so. Covering everything from the legend of John Henry to the details of hardships faced by the American working class during the time. Johnny Cash delivers a powerful performance on this record, showing his two best sides, sympathetic emotions, and working man frustration. A major turning point in Cash's career as his biggest hit since he released 8 albums on Columbia records before striking big with this album, which was to be followed up by the next year's 'I Walk the Line' one of the best selling country albums of the 60's. This album shows the true nature of country music more real than any other, and is why it has been chosen by me as a Classic Country Album.

Great review crash! Nice choice with the Johnny Cash. I love that almost train chugging beat they went with in Nine Pound Hammer. I'm going to look more into this album, but from what I've heard, it makes me thankful I didn't have to work on the railroad. Sounded like some hellacious hard work and its good that Johnny Cash did an album like this so we don't forget all that hard work that these Americans put into the railroad.

Feel free to do more man, love reading them.

A great bunch of albums you folks have mentioned since I last checked on this thread. Again, a bunch of names I've been meaning to look into for some time but for various reasons have simply never got round to them. The Johnny Cash album there's definitely the one that's just been pushed high up my list of musical priorities - I had a box set of best ofs about 2 years ago, lent them to a flatmate and never got them back, and I've been wanting to re-Cashify my library ever since.

Thanks for reviews :)

Now Johnny Paycheck's talent cannot even closely be compared to that of Willie Nelson or Waylon Jennings or even Merle Haggard but this ol boy has more attitute and guts than all of them combined. Willie Nelson once said in reference to Paycheck "Talk about an outlaw! I ain't got a chance!". And he was right. Unlike other outlaws that added outer influences such as jazz into their music, Johnny Paycheck was 100% country outlaw.

When you want to listen to Johnny, you want to hear him wail out about his time in prison (which he was in and out of constantly) and his rants about U.S. Government taking all the workin man's money. Unfortunately, Johnny Paycheck tried his hand at a few lovey dovey songs which came off almost hilarious and completely unbelievable, a few of which are on this album. ;)

I know what you're thinking. Why is Flower Child reviewing a greatest hits album? Well, I'll tell you. To be frank, Johnny Paycheck is the most inconsistent man in the country music business. Never, in his whole career, did he put out an album that had more than one worthwhile song on it. And since most of the people on this forum are not very familiar with Johnny Paycheck, I would just like to let you guys in on his best music without complicating it. But if you guys end up liking this cat then I will delve further in and review some of his actual albums. Since I doubt that will be the case, I'm just gonna get ol' Johnny done in one thorough sweep.

With all that being said, its time to review.

This album sums Johnny Paycheck up as best as I've seen. Complete with live rowdy performances, songs that showcased his softer side, a narrative about a "beer joint" incident, and the music that really told the world what Johnny Paycheck was all about.


Take This Job And Shove It Paycheck's most famous and recognized song that can relate to millions of people around the world saying what they wanted to say for many years- "Take this job and shove it!". In this song, Johnny moans and groans his frustrations about the nasty factory job he's had for many years and how sick he is of working there. He doesn't leave out his bosses either,

"Well that foreman, he's a regular dog
The line boss, he's a fool
Got a brand new flat-top haircut
Lord, he thinks he's cool"

This song just cracks me up, because of how many times I've heard this same threatening-to-leave gripe session from my family members. And its always the same:

One of these days, Im gonna blow my top
And that sucker, hes gonna pay
Lord I cant wait to see their faces
When I get up the nerve to say..

Take this job and shove it!

11 Months and 29 Days is about a subject Paycheck knows alot about- prison. This one has a classic beginning, with Johnny calling out "A-one, two, three, four" and on que the harmonicas start wailing out their lazy tune. He has a lyric in this song that I particularly like:

"Keep the Lonestar cold,
the dance floor hot when I'm gone
Keep your hands off my woman--
I ain't gonna be gone that long"

Only Hell (My Mama Ever Raised) In this quick number, Johnny tells of his more wilder days and how he wished he was back in the good times with his family when he wasn't getting in all of this trouble.

Slide Off of Your Satin Sheets Even though I think Paycheck is greatly over-flattering himself in this song, I do enjoy it. This one is about a rich woman who has turned Paycheck down many times because he wasn't rich enough and she didn't approve of his way of life. But every time her rich husband is out of town, Paycheck gets a call from her to come over.

She's All I Got
Ragged Old Truck

Colorado Kool-aid This in fact is not a song, but a big windy story about a knife fight narrated by none other than Johnny Paycheck himself. I do believe he was the first to coin the term "Colorado Kool-aid" because of this song
--
An' we was....what's that you say?
What's Colorado Kool-Aid?
Well, it's a can of Coors brewed from a mountain stream.
It'll set you head on fire an' make your kidneys scream

Fifteen Beers
I've Seen Better Days

Someone To Give My Love To I have never been a fan of Paycheck's songs about love, but this is definitely an exception. I find this one much more believable than the others, and it has a fantastic beat.

My Part of Forever
Yesterday's News Just Hit Home Today

(Stay Away) From the Cocaine Train (Live) The song is great in every way, really. The tinge of classic, classic country in its melody mixes well with the atmosphere and lyrics of the song. Paycheck's subject was one that troubled many county artists of that time, including himself, which he sternly warns against. I later found out an interesting tid bit. "The Fall" also did a cover of this song called "Stay Away (Old White Train)".

Me and the I.R.S. This song takes no time at all getting going. The beginning is mass of guitar and harmonica wailing and then Paycheck gets right to the point saying as the first line of the song "Well you can tell those boys at the I.R.S, this ol boy, hell I've had enough!". He pretty much says in this song what you will hear in discussions in small town bars throughout America.

Move The Feminine Touch
You Better On

I Did the Right Thing This was one of Johnny Paycheck attemps at an epically deep and thought provoking song. He failed miserably, and lets just leave it at that, haha.

When I Had a Home To Go To

Barstool Mountain On the other hand, this one is great. He goes back to what he knows a little about. The lyrics are terribly clever in this and it really is just a fun song to listen to.

I Can See Me Loving You Again
Old Violin
All Night Lady
The Outlaws Prayer

Johnny Paycheck samples

(Stay Away) The Cocaine Train
http://www.mediafire.com/file/tw2k24mmyqi/03 Cocain Train (Stay Away).m4a

Someone To Give My Love To

I just listened to Nanci Griffith's Last of the True Believers for the first time last night (kinda at random, wont get into that, lol). And I actually enjoyed a good portion of it. It's a very Stevie Nicks sheep-bahing/yodley voice she has, but it's also very pretty too. Some of the songs are also just a-grade, though there's a couple of MEHers. Your opinion of it? And if you're savvy to her material, does she have better stuff?

I know you're not asking me, but hey.

Other Voices Other Rooms is a top album, so I say you give that a try. I couldn't say if you'd think it's any better than the album you mentioned though as I've never come across that one myself. Still, I'd say it's worth the gamble.

Thanks for the recs, mate. I'll give 'em a go.

Also, anyone can respond if they're interested, lol. My country boots aren't well worn, and anyone's welcome to help me.

Though this album was released in 1999, it was actually all of Johnny Lee's live perfomances in Gilley's club from 1980-1988, but when Mickey Gilley and the co-owner of the club weren't getting along, Gilley hoarded the tapes for a while before releasing them. Its actually lucky he did this, because right after he took out the recordings, Gilley's burned down and all of the music would have been lost.

Johnny Lee's two biggest hits (in my opinion) are on this album, "Lookin' for Love" and "Cherokee Fiddle". Both songs were made famous from publicity on the movie Urban Cowboy because of its setting at Gilley's. This album has someting special about it, and I think it is because the music is so genuine. It is this way because of the circumstances in which it was performed, played for everyone live at Gilley's the biggest honky tonk in the U.S at that time.

Johnny Lee's style is very low-key, smooth, and cool. Don't expect any wild wails, intense guitar solos, or anything like that. Johnny Lee keeps a solid beat and concentrates on the words he's singing. His music is actually pretty great to dance to.

1. Lookin' for Love In this song, Johnny simply tells of his struggle to find love and his constant search of someone looking for him.

"I spent a lifetime lookin' for you
Single bars and good time lovers were never true
Playing a fools game, hopin' to win
Tellin' those sweet lies and losin' again.

I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places
Lookin' for love in too many places
Searchin' her eyes, lookin' for traces
Of what I'm dreamin' of
Hoping to find a friend and a lover
I'll bless the day I discover,
You - lookin' for love.

I was alone then, no love in site
I did every thing I could to get me through the night
Don''t know where it started or where it might end
I'd turn to a stranger just like a friend."

2. Bet Your Heart on Me
3. Sometimes
4. Cherokee Fiddle I absolutely love this song. Johnny expresses his unsettling sadness about the changing times. In the beginning, he describes an old fiddle player with a love of music and how he would play for the miners just for whiskey. Then the times change:

"Now the Indians are dressing up like cowboys
And the cowboys are putting leather and turquoise on
And the music is sold by lawyers
And the fools who fiddled in the middle of the stations are gone"

and he fears that the good genuine music the man played is all but history.

5. Be There for Me Baby
6. One in a Million
7. Prisoner of Hope
8. Pickin' Up Strangers
9. Down and Dirty
10. Highways Run Forever
11. Red Sails in the Sunset
12. Sea Cruise


http://www.mediafire.com/file/e2myn2woojj/Cherokee Fiddle.m4a

This is a damn fine thread on country music. My favorites are Tammy Wynette, Steve Young, Johnny Cash, Jimmie Rodgers (the Yodeling Brakeman), Steve Earle, Townes Van Zant, George Jones, Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie and Roy Acuff. I don't listen to as much country music as I used to because Nashville has gone pop and country music doesn't sound like country music anymore.

Thanks Gavin. Not a bad list either. Tammy Wynette is pretty great. Staaaaaand by yourrr maaaan, give him two arrrrrrrrrms to cling tooooo. :D Your welcome to add your own reviews if you ever feel the desire. There is still a plethora of classic country artists out there that I have never heard of, and would like to. I've heard the name Woody Guthrie alot, but never knew where to start. Is he of any relation to Arlo Guthrie?

Everyone should listen to Gavin B, for he knows where it's at - Townes Van Zandt is definitely one of the most hideously overlooked singer-songwriters of all time. Which reminds me, I should post my review here sometime soon. I got half-way through finishing it and got distracted, so I'll see if I can finish tomorrow, if not a bit later tonight.

Haven't heard of Johnny Lee before, but from the sounds of your review he's from a similar kinda musical ballpark to Van Zandt and Gene Clark - another favourite of mine. Great review, looking forward to the next one.

Bugger it, I'll post it now...

A#1 review Bulldog! Townes Van Zandt makes an excellent, excellent addition to the thread. What a song writer and vocalist! "Kathleen" especially impresses me. His vocals have such a great masculinity about them, and I'm also keen on that empty ghost town-ish vibe I get from his music. I picture tumbleweeds blowing around when I listen to it, haha. I have to say his style has quite a different swing on things than my outlaws. Much more traditional Western cowboy music. And I'm really liking it. Great job, and thank you.

Great to hear you liked the review :) I was a little concerned Van Zandt would be a little too different from the rest of this thread. As you say, it doesn't exactly sound like the rest of the albums here - a lot more Dylanesque, with a lot of resemblance to early Cohen as well (and, by the way, if you haven't got a Leonard Cohen album yet, if you like the sound of Van Zandt, you'll probably love any one of his first three albums). I agree with the kind of ghost town-type vibe it all has to it - certainly gives it a different kind of edge to it.

Anyway, if you (or anyone else) needs help finding it, just shout!

Dwight Yokam
 

This is a pretty good country choice for someone from England who has trouble recognizing a true country piece. Grade A.

I'm sure I've heard that name before. Couldn't put a sound to it though. Cheers for the rec though, I'll give him a spin.

Speaking of an Englishman getting to grips with proper country, I might actually have another review I could do here. It's an album of country standards covered by a very famous English musician and, while not a classic, is certainly a great place to start for a beginner or someone who's just curious about the genre. With your permission Flower Child, I'll do a review of it here (and no, it's not an Elvis Costello album ;)).