"I hate country music."

[Dedalus]

Oh, how could we forget Chet Atkins? When I started playing guitar, I wanted to be him but never tried. I just assumed I'd never have that kind of finesse. A bassline, a melody, and accompanying parts, simultaneously!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later. I AGREE

TIP: to embed Youtube clips, put only the encoded part of the Youtube URL, e.g. eBGIQ7ZuuiU between the tags.

 

[Brad]

Do we consider Carl Perkins country or rockabilly, or both?

 

[romafan]

Originally Posted by Dedalus

Oh, how could we forget Chet Atkins? When I started playing guitar, I wanted to be him but never tried. I just assumed I'd never have that kind of finesse. A bassline, a melody, and accompanying parts, simultaneously!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later. I AGREE

TIP: to embed Youtube clips, put only the encoded part of the Youtube URL, e.g. eBGIQ7ZuuiU between the tags.

I'll raise you Merle Travis, Jimmy Bryant and Joe Maphis....

 

[romafan]

Originally Posted by Brad

Do we consider Carl Perkins country or rockabilly, or both?

CP started out country, but ended up rockabilly. That being said, "rockabilly was just country souped up the way you'd soup up an ordinary '55 Ford, then take it to the local drag strip - or some lonesome back road."*

* Dana Jennings "Sing Back Home - Love, Death and Country Music"

srry 4 dbl post

 

[Dedalus]

Originally Posted by romafan

I'll raise you Merle Travis, Jimmy Bryant and Joe Maphis....

Well, you done bought the pot, I reckon.

 

[bryce330]

I can understand why some people have such a visceral negative reaction to country music when the main faces of "modern" country music are talentless hacks like Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and Big and Rich.

I consider myself a big fan of country music, but the only current artists I like are Robbie Fulks and Hayes Carll, not counting 'alt-country' acts like the Old 97's, Wilco, and Steve Earle (all of whom I would consider a lot more rock/alternative than country).

Otherwise, give me Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, George Jones, the Louvin Brothers, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams any day.

 

[4Mica]

Originally Posted by Dedalus

Oh, how could we forget Chet Atkins? When I started playing guitar, I wanted to be him but never tried. I just assumed I'd never have that kind of finesse. A bassline, a melody, and accompanying parts, simultaneously!

Chet as a performer, absolutely. Chet as a producer, abomination. Many would argue that his producing is what has lead to the insipidedness that now is much of radio played country music. George Strait and Alan Jackson's "Murder on Music Row" says is better than I can.

Nobody saw them running
From 16th Avenue
They never found the fingerprints
Or the weapon that was used
But someone killed country music
Cut out its heart and soul
They got away with murder
Down on music row

The almight dollar
And the lust for worldwide fame
Slowly killed tradition
And for that, someone shouldhang ("Ahh, you tell 'em Alan")
They all say "Not Guilty!"
But the evidence will show
That murder was committed
Down on music row

For the steel guitars no longer cry
And the fiddles barely play
But drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Are mixed up in your face
Ol' Hank wouldn't have a chance
On today's radio
Since they committed murder
Down on music row

They thought no one would miss it
Once it was dead and gone
They said no one would buy them ol'
Drinkin' and cheatin' songs ("Oh, but I still buy 'em")
Well there ain't no justice in it
And the hard facts are cold
Murder's been committed
Down on music row

For the steel guitars no longer cry
And you can't hear fiddles play
With drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Mixed right up in your face
Why the Hag wouldn't have a chance
On today's radio
Since they committed murder
Down on music row

Why they even tell the Possum
To pack up and go back home
There's been an awful murder
Down on music row

 

[chronoaug]

I love listening to the playlist i created dedicated to country songs about cocaine and alcohol (every song right?

)

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by romafan

CP started out country, but ended up rockabilly. That being said, "rockabilly was just country souped up the way you'd soup up an ordinary '55 Ford, then take it to the local drag strip - or some lonesome back road."* * Dana Jennings "Sing Back Home - Love, Death and Country Music" srry 4 dbl post
Sadly, a lot of people don't realize Perkins wrote Blue Suede Shoes. They think it was Elvis.

 

[Artisan Fan]

I used to hate country music until I discovered Alison Krauss and Union Station. They are superb and have broadened my horizons from bluegrass to country.

 

[dusty]

Originally Posted by chronoaug

I love listening to the playlist i created dedicated to country songs about cocaine and alcohol (every song right?

)

Can you post that?

 

[chronoaug]

I wish. Ipod crashed awhile back. I don't think i still have it saved on itunes on my other computer. Sorry

 

[PresidentBush]

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

I said write, not perform.

And why is it ironic? If you are good at marketing you could easily write country, rap, Christian.

it's ironic because the stereotypical fans of these genres tend to be bigoted assholes, not very supportive of "alternative lifestyles" (a very PC term in and of itself)

 

[PresidentBush]

Originally Posted by Magician

Great posts on old-school decent country, especially by Label King. But one name is conspicously absent: Townes Van Zandt.

Townes is one of the most incredible singer/songwriter's I've ever heard. From what I understand he was ghostwriting a lot of the hit's by big name country acts in the 70's and 80's, but his own stuff is brilliant.

Download "Quicksilver Daydreams of Maria" or "Waiting Around to Die" for some of the msot melancholy profound, quintessentially American music around.

+1, not sure I'd call him "country," but one of the greats nonetheless

 

[FLMountainMan]

Rap and country are pretty similar - simple lyrics, play to racial stereotypes, lots of slang.

I love some country and bluegrass though - early Cory Morrow, Buck Owens, Hank, Monroe, Garth, Brad Paisley, Yonder Mountain, Emmylou, Sam Bush, Nickel Creek, could go on and on