Country Music, from a Foreign View

Post by **balon!** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:40 am

I personally loathe country music, but it could be that I am constantly surrounded by it. I seem to always be blasted from some guy that lives in suburbia, but ches tobacco, wears a cowboy hat and thinks hes "Southern" because he listens to southern Pop.

I DO like folk music. But not country.

Anyway, It sort of struck me today, in the USofA country music is in the top listened to with rock and pop. What about in Europe? Asia? What do you guys think of US Country music?

Post by **sgt.null** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:59 pm

from Texas. top 40 country music is actually pop music, and crappy pop music at that. planty of Americana, alt country, no depression music is great and fits your folk leanings much more.

Post by **A Gunslinger** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:03 pm

Nashville ain't "country", Balon. It wants to sell itself as if it were... but true "country" (NOT the top 40 CMT crap)music must be found elsewhere as Null suggests.

Unforunately, popular culture around the world marries america and americans I fear...to the vapid top 40 stuff which is tied too closely with unsavory cliches (jingosim, redneckery, etc.).

The rich tradation of "country" music and the musicianship in its craft is lost to the world, I am afraid.

Post by **sgt.null** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:17 pm

there are plenty of country musicians still making great music. I saw one SUnday night, James Hand. I just saw Kelly Willis last night and her husband Bruce Robison last month. Josh Ritter, Drive By Truckers, Neko Case, Dumptruck, the Silos, Maria McKee, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Raul Malo, John Doe, Charlie Robison, Son Volt, Wilco and tons more...

www.pastemagazine.com/

sign up for a sample issue, comes with a cd.

Post by **A Gunslinger** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:19 pm

Add Reckless Kelly, Robbie Fulks & BR549!

Post by **stonemaybe** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 4:29 pm

Can someone post some youtube links of what is considered 'country' music?

(Is it like the music on 'O Brother Where Art Thou' - I love that stuff!)

Post by **dlbpharmd** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 4:41 pm

The rich tradation of "country" music and the musicianship in its craft is lost to the world, I am afraid.

Sadly, I agree. Even bluegrass is trying to become more like Top 40 Country .

Post by **lucimay** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:05 pm

Stonemaybe wrote:Can someone post some youtube links of what is considered 'country' music?

(Is it like the music on 'O Brother Where Art Thou' - I love that stuff!)

kevinswatch.ihugny.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... 320#501320

hereya go stone...i like this one!!

(john prine is one of my favs, i've seen him live many times and even got some great photos at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival a couple of years ago)

Post by **Trapper** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:22 pm

In and of itself country music (we have a country scene here in Australia as well) totally bites (IMHO). Sentimental and over-produced are two terms that spring to mind. Kinda like Christian rock.

But, (like pretty much any form of music) it has some talented practitioners, and the influence it has on other musicians can have very cool results, so I'm prepared to let it pass.

The only music I've ever spent money on that I would consider country is Chris Whitley. But I love such collaborations as Tammy Wynette/KLF and Johnny Cash/U2. And Country has contributed a lot to guitar music (eg Eric Johnson).

Garth Brooks setting records for album sales, though?! I don't get that.

*mutters something truly obscene about Billy Ray Cyrus*

Post by **stonemaybe** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:06 am

kevinswatch.ihugny.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=501320#501320

hereya go stone...i like this one!!

(john prine is one of my favs, i've seen him live many times and even got some great photos at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival a couple of years ago)

Thanks Luci!

Hmm, I'd have to be in a certain mood to enjoy that

!

Post by **A Gunslinger** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:38 pm

Stonemaybe wrote:Can someone post some youtube links of what is considered 'country' music?

(Is it like the music on 'O Brother Where Art Thou' - I love that stuff!)

Check this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlylarCRayI

Post by **A Gunslinger** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:46 pm

and this:

youtube.com/watch?v=YsyyBbxtyAE&mode=related&search=

And:

youtube.com/watch?v=FtEFUF16hqs&mode=related&search=

Post by **stonemaybe** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:19 pm

Check this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlylarCRayI

dammit where have I seen this before, or something very like it....?
(1952 Vincent Black Lightning)

I do like Copperhead Road! So would John Cougar Mellencamp be country?

Post by **lucimay** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:04 pm

A Gunslinger wrote:
Stonemaybe wrote:Can someone post some youtube links of what is considered 'country' music?

(Is it like the music on 'O Brother Where Art Thou' - I love that stuff!)
Check this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlylarCRayI

WOOOOO HOOOO!!!! WHAT A GREAT THOMPSON COVER!!!! Reckless Kelly TOTALLY did that justice!!!

(i'm a huge Richard Thompson fan and saw HIM at the Hardly Strictly BG Fest too!!)

and Steve Earle!!! yeah! awesome video for copperhead road!

i learned a thang 'er two from charlie dontcha know
you better stay away from copperhead road!

Post by **A Gunslinger** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:02 am

Lucimay wrote:
A Gunslinger wrote:
Stonemaybe wrote:Can someone post some youtube links of what is considered 'country' music?

(Is it like the music on 'O Brother Where Art Thou' - I love that stuff!)
Check this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlylarCRayI
WOOOOO HOOOO!!!! WHAT A GREAT THOMPSON COVER!!!! Reckless Kelly TOTALLY did that justice!!!

(i'm a huge Richard Thompson fan and saw HIM at the Hardly Strictly BG Fest too!!)

and Steve Earle!!! yeah! awesome video for copperhead road!

i learned a thang 'er two from charlie dontcha know
you better stay away from copperhead road!

I have been hot for Reckless Kelly for a few years now. Great band!

The Video for Copperhead Road is a fun, freakin' classic!

Post by **Cheval** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:48 am

Is country considered to be more bluegrass? (Loretta Lynn, Tennessee Ford)
Or the top 40 sound? (Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks)
How about .38 Special or the Outlaws?

Is there much of a difference between George Thorogood and Hank Williams?

I'm a rocker, so I am confused about this.

Post by **sgt.null** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:42 am

Cheval: Bluegrass is a subset of country.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluegrass_music

some examples...

Bill Monroe - My Sweet Blue Eyed Darlin'
youtube.com/watch?v=urXGWf9vBKY

Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Mama Carter - You are my flower
youtube.com/watch?v=u3Itz0rTiMU

Johnny Cash & John Hartford, Bluegrass medley
youtube.com/watch?v=USGAvfxfmvU

Chris Thile - Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground
youtube.com/watch?v=BCENitDd3Ko

Alison Krauss, Doc Watson, Taj Mahal and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band : Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
youtube.com/watch?v=HnBtEW2C_No

most top 40 country nowadays is really pop music in the crassest sense. Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson embody a water-downed honkey tonk. but they lack soul. Thorogood is rock. Hank Williams jr would be close. Hank the first is the true country wellspring. and remember that Country and Western started as two separate things. Western swing was popularized by Bob Wills. some examples of western swing....

Bob Wills : Sitting on top of the world
youtube.com/watch?v=5sS5jSbV0Vg

Smokey Montgomery & the Light Crust Doughboys : Tiger Rag
youtube.com/watch?v=vy4hoZdrHqU

old time country...

Carter Family : Wildwood Flower
youtube.com/watch?v=ENS4nD0vRKI

Jimmie Rodgers - Blue Yodel No 1 (T For Texas)
youtube.com/watch?v=qEIBmGZxAhg

Hank Williams: Lovesick Blues
youtube.com/watch?v=-Xu71i89xvs&mode=related&search=

Post by **bloodguard bob** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:44 am

the term bluegrass music was coined from the kentuky folk style of Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys. this style of music became very popular in the 50's. Bluegrass is not country music and hasn't been on any charts in almost fifty years. it's deepest roots are the irish, scottish melodies brought by immigrants and indentured people.

Stonemaybe wrote: (Is it like the music on 'O Brother Where Art Thou' - I love that stuff!)

if you really want to hear some great, mind blowing American folk music look for the Lomax label. Allen Lomax worked for the Library of Congress and realized that music was born and died in this country before anybody ever had a chance to hear it so he went out and recorded all over this country and eventually the world. many of those recordings you hear on "Oh, Brother Where Art Thou" were recorded by him, and many musicians became rather famous because of him.

Post by **sgt.null** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:26 am

for Stone...

bright eyes: we are nowhere
youtube.com/watch?v=j65CfEACSss

Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton - Always, Always
youtube.com/watch?v=oyH2wFbRimA&mode=related&search=

BR549-Too Lazy To Work, Too Nervous To Steal
youtube.com/watch?v=NgibPw2c4uU

Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On
youtube.com/watch?v=50dzxkJa1NE

Josh Ritter - Wolves
youtube.com/watch?v=PVU7S9TKe8E

Kelly Willis : I Don't Want To Love You
youtube.com/watch?v=WvZ4kA9z1iQ

Robert Earl Keen : Shades of Gray
youtube.com/watch?v=RArZGbD9k-M&mode=related&search=

Charlie Robison - El Cerrito Place
youtube.com/watch?v=ZX5-xyJL8qI

Bruce Robison : Travellin' Soldier
youtube.com/watch?v=y2oVLsAcMqw

Dixie Chicks - Truth No. 2
youtube.com/watch?v=Oz_NO3OdEK8

Butch Hancock & Jimmie Dale Gilmore : If you were a Bluebird
youtube.com/watch?v=CZWTnqbIlNU

The Flatlanders : Dallas
youtube.com/watch?v=Wh-tyM0ApRI&mode=related&search=

Texas Tornados : Hey Baby Que Paso
youtube.com/watch?v=ySNON249yes&mode=related&search=

Drive-By Truckers : Gravity's Gone
youtube.com/watch?v=BHnbiiPoMSU&mode=related&search=

Explosions in the Sky - First Breath After Coma
youtube.com/watch?v=3h-wB8BzaXE

Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens
youtube.com/watch?v=_RTfzPewXyw

Post by **Mithyaat Vam** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:47 am

yeah sarge...what bloodguard bob said. bluegrass ain't a subset of country music. it IS country music.

everthang else is pop with a twang.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Country Music, from a Foreign View

Country Music, from a Foreign View