Whether you love or hate C&W, this thread is for you. Post something you love, or something you hate, and tell us why...or don’t.
I am one of those grumpy old geezers who thinks the last great country song was “Amarillo by Morning”. I know there is great country music out there, I just don’t hear it when I turn on the radio.
I love this song:
------------------ "Ain't no rest for the whiskers."
There is plenty of current bluegrass music, but pure bluegrass is considered more "folk" or "Americana" music than "country".
One of my favorite CDs is "Flatt and Scruggs at Vanderbilt". It was recorded back in the 60's when Vanderbilt was trying very hard to separate itself from the "country" side of Nashville. So all the formal introduction is about Flatt and Scruggs "American Folk" music. I am sure the crowd was dressed much nicer than the usual crowd across town at the Rynman Auditorium, but they still cheered just as loud for the genius on stage.
There is plenty of current bluegrass music, but pure bluegrass is considered more "folk" or "Americana" music than "country".
One of my favorite CDs is "Flatt and Scruggs at Vanderbilt". It was recorded back in the 60's when Vanderbilt was trying very hard to separate itself from the "country" side of Nashville. So all the formal introduction is about Flatt and Scruggs "American Folk" music. I am sure the crowd was dressed much nicer than the usual crowd across town at the Rynman Auditorium, but they still cheered just as loud for the genius on stage.
I am glad they decided not to tear down the Ryman.
I am not a fan of country or Western music but....Here is Ken Curtis dressed as Festus singing Tumbling Tumbleweeds.....(Note; I never watched Gunsmoke before...but recently got hooked- And I found out that Ken Curtis (Character Festus) was the most talented actor on that show- he actually had a big singing career with the Tommy Dorsey band and the Sons of the Pioneers)
I am glad they decided not to tear down the Ryman.
Sorry to take this thread completely off the tracks, but I am a big Bela Fleck fan, and I have to tell this story.
I knew a famous sports writer named Davis Miller. He knew Bruce Lee and wrote a book called "The Tao of Bruce Lee". In it he describes how before Bruce came along all martial arts were about strict form. Form was actually more important than function. But Bruces said that his form was "no form". Basically it was about adapting and adjusting to whatever the opponent does. In his description he talks about Bela Fleck and about how he plays in so many different forms that he really has no form. He has mastered so may different forms that he can mix parts of all of them together to get whatever sound he likes.
I have always felt that was a great description of what Bela tries to do. He is a master of classical, bluegrass, funk, jazz, and country. He uses all of them and will even throw in some Tuvan Throat Singers and crazy stuff like that.
I love you all, I mean that... but other than Jerry Reed, I absolutely cannot stand country music. I am sorry... if that makes me a horrible person, I will take it. I go into a violent rage whenever I hear it. So I've avoided anything with this small town song stuff.
Please don't hate me.
The Mavericks (founded in Miami, Florida, in 1989) may not be accepted by all as purveyors of "country" music, but check them out if you're unfamiliar with this group. Lead singer, Raul Malo (Cuban-American), has an absolutely golden voice. Here's one of their many hits with an old time country feel to it, complete with fiddle.
And ya gotta love the accordion!
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-28-2023).]
There is plenty of current bluegrass music, but pure bluegrass is considered more "folk" or "Americana" music than "country".
One of my favorite CDs is "Flatt and Scruggs at Vanderbilt". It was recorded back in the 60's when Vanderbilt was trying very hard to separate itself from the "country" side of Nashville. So all the formal introduction is about Flatt and Scruggs "American Folk" music. I am sure the crowd was dressed much nicer than the usual crowd across town at the Rynman Auditorium, but they still cheered just as loud for the genius on stage.
Check out some of the music released by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman in their "Old and in the Way" recordings.
The Mavericks (founded in Miami, Florida, in 1989) may not be accepted by all as purveyors of "country" music, but check them out if you're unfamiliar with this group. Lead singer, Raul Malo (Cuban-American), has an absolutely golden voice. Here's one of their many hits with an old time country feel to it, complete with fiddle.
I tried... I got through 55 seconds... because I like Hispanic-influenced music... but I immediately had to go to this in order to calm myself down...
I can even do Charlie Daniels:
... and, not country, but if we're talking Cubans:
I tried... I got through 55 seconds... because I like Hispanic-influenced music... but I immediately had to go to this in order to calm myself down...
You wouldn't even had made it to the first chorus.
I like moldy-oldy familiar stuff as well... but I also enjoy seeing/hearing something new, something un-familiar. Sometimes it takes more than one listen, or maybe a different song by the same artist strikes a chord.
There is a lot of Mexican influence in American Country music. You just have to listen for it.
Here's some of that Mexican influence in one of Marty Robbin's biggest hits, tho it was actually written by a Russian born Jewish composer and an American born lyricist.....
Must have been '53 when the neighbors played this on their 45 phonograph, high summer at the lake, a mountain rising out of the water, topped by a bald granite dome. We would lie on our backs to watch the stars transit, meteorites whizzing, warmed by the smooth curved rock. 300' above the lake, we could see for miles around, a panoramic view of our Galaxy, infinity. ' That is the Andromeda Galaxy, 220 light years in diameter. ' ' The silence of a falling star Lights up a purple sky... '
I don't know if any of you remember Songman from here, from a while back. He pretty much has zero use for "modern" country music, but is a follower and sometimes creator/performer of "old school" style country music. He was close friends with Merle Haggard, and talks about him and his family frequently.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 08-07-2023).]
A scene right out of the ' Blues Brothers ' movie, ' Bob's Country Bunker ', '72, Windsor Hotel. Big bar brawl, a rolly-polly local constable, totaled the three arched stained glass windows out front. The band, ' King City Slickers' played on 'til closing time.
Had to look it up... released in '76, so.. it was this version : Manfred Mann '68
I did catch the Good Brothers in London, Ontario, around '77, college venue downtown, a memorable night with a sweetheart right into rodeo, the fashion, the riding, horses, bikes. Yee Haw !
[This message has been edited by Valkrie9 (edited 08-09-2023).]
I don't care one bit for 'bro country' music or C&W 'singers' that can't carry a tune in a 5 gal bucket. Too many nowadays just 'talk' a song instead of actually singing.
Still like Toby Keith tho. At least he TRIES to hit some notes outside his comfort zone.
But, That's what ya'll said about Justin Beiber and Celine Dion too..... But, big Props to Canuck Shania Twain, and especially to Leonard Cohen for Hallelujah
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 08-09-2023).]
