A couple of weeks ago, about the same time as I resolved to get rid of my CDs, I set about another task I’d been meaning to do for some time: assembling a bunch of my favourite country-tinged tunes on Spotify. As they started to accumulate in the one playlist, I pondered: why not make it chronological, then I can easily add new songs when I hear them, and keep it current? Then I told myself: no need to be quite so anal, and executed a few tweaks which made it not strictly chronological but ensured that everything flows.
Further tinkering ensued when I realised that I had no idea what actually happened to country-rock between about 1977-1984, and figuring it might be jarring to go from the Eagles to, say, Green on Red, went down a rabbit hole to look for more tunes. I also noticed that my knowledge around the start was a bit lacking – didn’t Gene Clark invent this stuff? But he listened to Dylan – so I added some songs to the beginning, many of which, you’ll notice, come from two compilations: Bakersfield Rebels and Tuff’n’Stringy, both of which are a little short on release details – where were those CD inlay cards when I needed them? – but feature recordings dating from 1965-1968.
I also tried to stick to the iron rule of one song per artist, although true trainspotters will notice that Gram Parsons appears three times: with the Byrds, the Burritos and Emmylou. Because, as the young folk say, well, because Gram. It was hard also to avoid three different doses of Gene Clark.
In the absence of a good old country baptising down by the creek (or similar), the final step was to play the compilation all the way through, with friends and a few beers. We got as far as the 1990s before being beaten by the cold. Although it may now be some time until I can face hearing another pedal steel, do please let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed (like, were Poco ever any good?); I’d be happy to hear this stretch to the 10-hour mark, so long as we can keep the quality control up.
I’d say that Los Lobos and The Blasters were part of that “missing” period around 84 that you mention. John Prine became more obviously Country on Aimless Love and German Afternoons. Then we were into Dwight Yoakam’s Guitar, Cadillacs Ep. Followed by some worthy “hat” singers.
I’d also raise a glass to Dave Edmunds (Queen of Hearts) and Nick Lowe for flying the flag in the early 80s.
Great playlist btw.
For DE and NL, read Carlene Carter, married to NL for a while, with Rockpile backing her for her 1980 Musical Shapes albums. Great country-rock, even without any steel. And, if we are thinking Brits, I hole Elvis Cstello is there: Almost Blue, especially, and King of America fit the modus operandi.
POSTSCRIPT: Yup, you got EC.
Cheers KJWilly. I flirted a little with Yoakam in my youth but found him a bit too country. Was rushing a bit by the time I was getting to the 80s so sort-of disregarded him. I can’t believe I didn’t find space for Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds, though. Will get onto that, although my favourite NL songs, I Live on a Battlefield and Christmas at the Airport may not be regarded as the classics.
Reminds me of the country punk thing with Joe Ely touring with the Clash. Live Shots from 1980 recorded in the Hope and Anchor is good – Honky Tonkin’ has Carleen guesting on vocals.
Indeed: suddenly my musical side-preference was cool again. Briefly.
Nice playlist, I’ll give it a spin today. I reckon if you’re going to have the Eagles you should have Poco – Rose of Cimarron, maybe?
Other names that spring to mind are Stone Canyon Band-period Rick Nelson, Pure Prairie League, Loggins and Messina, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Commander Cody etc, Kentucky Headhunters, New Riders of the Purple Sage…and to avoid giving the impression that country rock sprang out of the brain of Bob Dylan, maybe stick some Buck Owens in at the beginning? Without him there’s no Gram Parsons, or Dwight Yoakam come to that.
Ooh, cheers. I knew I would be among people who knew more about this subject than me. Just checking out that lot will be another half-day’s listening, but I’m up for the task. Already found a few nuggets I was previously unaware of while doing this.
I don’t see anything off “Sweetheart of the rodeo”, a seminal country rock album if not patient zero.
There was at least one
The Notorious Byrd Brothers was their first step toward country-ness. The point where Croz-and-his-cape either flounced or was fired.
Hmm, not really: Chris Hillman was always sneaking in stuff. Old John Robertson etc. From the very start.
The original by Terry Fell featured Owens in his band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILTZsn5spxM
Why not add Hearts and Flowers from 1967?
I would certainly add Hayes Carrl She left me for Jesus and Tom Russell Guadalupe.
You should also find room for Alejandro Escovedo.A great list though and good to see Iain Matthew’s version of These Days which I believe to be the definitive one.
I believe you’re right! I was also ashamed to notice when boxing up the CDs to sell that I already had – and had presumably heard once or twice – Valley Hi. Anyway it’s firmly in my Spotify collection now. And I’ll get round to considering all the above, too.
What an extraordinary labour of love! Nice work!
Delighted to see a lot of modern names like Courtney Marie Andrews, Camera Obscura, First Aid Kit and Phosphorescent in there.
Personally, I’d be flexible with your “one artist one song” rule. Someone like Emmylou Harris has had such a long varied career, I’d want both the Hotband and Spyboy eras included. At least!
Two words: Michael Nesmith
The three albums (Magnetic South, Loose Salute and Nevada Fighter) he made with his various National Bands in the early 70s are amongst the earliest (and finest) in the Country rock canon
Four words: he is there already.
Six words: Sorry, Mike, should’ve read your list
Not my list, Martin’s. He was in my list until I checked!
Damn right, @mikethep, all the guys you mention definitely warrant. Following the cue of latching on to originator bands and where members went next, room also to look at Desert Rose Band and Manassas. In the UK you got Rockingbirds and Redlands Palomino Company (hi, @eyesteel ) and the Hanging Stars. You got Son Volt and the other ‘No Depression’ acts on your list, and offshoots like Uncle Tupelo? Ryan Adams? Jayhawks? No time to be more exhaustive, but if you can lend me a couple of hours……
AGAIN: yup, some included right enough. Never scroll enough, do I?
As another poster who got an F in his Scrolling GCSE, I feel your pain
@retropath2 I’m glad you mentioned RPC, as it would have been unseemly… etc
Go north, young man! Lots more fine countryish artists from Canada.
Ian and Sylvia
Ian wrote this magnificent Judy Collins hit.
No to mention k d lang (covering Neil Young!)
Good man for reminding me of Someday Soon. Fantastic song, and I’ve added the album to my pile.
I first heard Someday soon on one of Peel’s afternoon shows and I was hooked for life.
It is a beautiful song and Judy does it so well.
Also vividly remember Heads, hands and feet from that era.
And Poco’s Rose of Cimmaron. What an exquisite song that is.
Great work, Martin! This thread is really cooking. So many great suggestions from the good ole boys and girls of the hivemind.
Emmylou’s take on Rose of Cimmaron a corker too.
I hadn’t heard that. Emmylou does it proud. Thanks Retro.
And new discoveries! I do like those British bands you mentioned. Let’s have at least one song from each of them!
Hanging Stars
Rockingbirds
Redlands Palomino Comany
And I think Hank Wangford deserves a mention too!
Where would the honky tonks of the Home Counties have been without him?
Not on that Spotifying Thingy, but here’s the coolest selection of (more or less) Country Rock:
https://www.bear-family.com/various-truckers-kickers-cowboy-angels/
@fatima-Xberg
The notes to that massive Bear release you linked to makes reference to artists not included due to refusal. They include Rig.
Who the fuck are Rig ?
Splinter group from Rip … and Panic?
No. Splinter group from Newcastle.
Lazy Scottish band.
Thanks a lot Fatima! That Bear Family compilation is staggering.
Someone has re-created it on Spotify.
Twelve and half hours of quality listening.
Looks like a great list there. This could be a grower. Kind of The Spotify List With No Name.
Coupla holes I spotted first off: no Commander Cody? Then there’s John Hiatt, and never mind Gene, what about Guy, oh, and Townes for that matter, and Buddy Miller?
And Poco did more than a few great songs.
Terrific list Martin. They may be there, but I didn’t spot them – Nanci Griffith (maybe Love at the Five and Dime), and Mary Chapin Carpenter (Stones in the Road) would certainly be any list I would do. And is Springsteen there? Songs like Wreck in the Highway are perfect songs in the country tradition.
Oh and then there’s the Beatles, particularly that seam of songs for Ringo.
And Stones
Great playlist. I couldn’t see Willie Nelson or Justin Townes Earle in there. A few newer artists for your consideration, Hiss Golden Messenger [Oh, Nathaniel],
Waxahatchee [covering Dolly – there’s another one missing…]
and Fruit Bats [The Balcony]
Lucinda Williams seems to be absent, too
No, she’s there, though I’d have gone for an earlier choice, possibly off Car Wheels.
Ah, yes. I was looking too far down the list!
When did country rock get started? Electric guitars were first used in the 1930s. So should we be looking in the 1950s?
Les Paul and Mary Ford might be candidates.
Too jazzy perhaps? But wonderful anyway.
How about Riff Cliché &; the Rebel Trouser. (Feat Adolf Hitler on vibes)
Or indeed Duane Eddy?
What a showman!
Still sounds great all these years later, even if it does not perhaps fit here.
I think Les ‘n’ Mary are a bit of a stretch, KFD…I refer my honourable friend to my post up there ↑ where I mentioned Buck Owens. That’s when you first hear the chicken pickin’ Telecasters and the rocking’ beat that leads straight to Gram and co. You could also make a case for Hank Williams, perhaps.
I won’t argue with that, Mike. I knew I was pushing my luck there.
The Buck Owens song is splendid and wonderfully post-modern. He is singing in character as truck-driving man who goes into a truck stop and asks the waiter to play that song about the truck-driving man on the jukebox. The very song he is performing!
Maybe the question I should have asked is: when did Hawaiian steel guitar first get used in country music and how did it become almost synonymous with the genre?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_guitar#Country_music
Here are a couple of fine musicians to help us answer the question.
Leon McAuliffe from Bob Willis’s band.
Bashful Brother Oswald (Pete Kirby)
He’s a joy to listen to!
If ever there was music to sob into your beer to!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uDKI8i1dSI
Country/Rock ‘n’ Roll, fits just fine!
Sun, and anything on Ace with Rockabilly in the title.
Great list. But — pedant alert — you also have Ryan Adams in there twice.
No Fannies!
This is the first track on the new album. The album version is much longer [and better]
Iron & Wine.
They lean toward folk at times, but this fits right in with the theme, IMO
Calexico
Jason Isbell
A few more nominations
Crooked Still
Laura Cantrell
Ballboy and Laura Cantrell – Nashville meets Glasgow
Susanna and the Magic Orchestra – Norway’s finest!
Not sure I’d include the Still as country-ROCK. There are a lot who err on the wrong side of electric for that, however damn fine they still are.
If Hank too country, maybe Hank Jr and Hank Williams III.
Did I miss Sturgill Simpson in my bad scrolling?
Charlie Daniels is worth a shout. And, whilst we are at it, a lot of the South Will Rise Again Bands, basically anything on the Capricorn label in the 70s through 90s., hit the biscuit. As do many of the Jamband movement, who, sorta, carry that same sort of flag. Here’s a band I discovered only last week, Leftover Salmon
https://youtu.be/Jfp85WjHauA
I found this other day& it made me smile.
This thread is as good a place as any to post it – I can’t see it fitting anywhere else!
That’s great! For a moment there, when the singer appeared, I thought it was Roy from IT Crowd hiding behind a big beard.
More nominations.
Nina Persson and A Camp serve up some Cardy and Western. Gorgeous tune.
Country girl? Kasey Chambers grew up in the Outback
Kitty Wells telling it like like it is.
Elizabet Cook likewise but in slightly more casual togs,
Not a truck driver in sight – but here are Element Of Crime:
Bringing us sort of bang up to date: Kacey Musgraves, from the end of year (2018) bothering “Golden Hour” LP
I am sure I already saw Kacey on the playlist
Isn’t this country rather than country rock? Like many of the other nominees.
Kasey Chambers would be good place to start the aussie linkage.
Joe Ely, Rodney Crowell, Buddy (&Julie) Miller, Some Bonnie Prince Billy and his various alter egos, especially Palace Music), a fair bit of Drive By Truckers, BR-549, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Neko Case (especially with the Sadies), the Sadies, Old 97s, Jason & the Scorchers, Blue Rodeo, Kathleen Edwards (both Canada), the Gourds, Shovels and Rope, Willard Grant Conspiracy, Dylan LeBlanc, Cass McCombs, Ben Kweller, Darden Smith, Coalporters, Robbie Fulks, Dave Alvin…
Jeez, forgot the Delines and, more importantly, Richmond Fontaine!!
More Brits, Los Pistoleros, Hank Wangford, Chilli willi & the Red Hot Peppers,
Once they emigrated, the Mekons.
Going to stop now, as I am barely scratching the surface of my i-tunes library. I have also stack of country country, bluegrass, western swing, even country& western, trying to avoid those for this list.
As you may tell, country is my second favourite genre…..
Fair comment, @retropath2. I’m probably going to get done for Trades Descriptions if I describe Crooked Still as “Rock”. But they are/were a wonderful band.
Back to Canada for two more artists who both put on a great live show.
First, Fred Eaglesmith who is singing a sng about truckers, so it must be country music!
Hilarious raconteur and a fine songwriter. Try and catch him live.
Next up Basia Bulat. Once again, a singer with fine songs, a gorgeous voice and oodles of charisma.
I’ve seen her twice, once with a band, once solo. The second time, I had a chat with her at the merch table. What a thoroughly charming friendly lass.
Head Hands And Feet – Country Boy
Albert Lee picking away like an absolute plucker
Oh to be a tambourine player in a country-rock band!
Great call. Chas Hodges there plonking away on the bass.
What, no Chris Stapleton?
(Assuming I’ve not scrolled past him…)
Some great choices already, I’d pitch in “Ramblin’ Man” by the Allman Bros from 1973, my gateway drug into country rock along with Neil’s “Lookin’ for a love” off “Zuma”. Another for me was “I’m ready” by Jackson Browne, always that way inclined buy David Lindsey’s fiddle makes it jest purrfecky.
More recently Jonathan Wilson’s “Love to love” off fanfare or even better “El Camino Real ” off Dixie Blur featuring fiddle maestro Mark O’Connor would fit nicely.
Hi @Twang
“I’m ready” by Jackson Browne: I need to hear everything that the mighty Mr Browne has recorded but I can’t find this track . . . am I missing a song or is it a typo for “Ready Or Not”? (Apologies for being pedantic if it is, but I’m hoping it’s a new-to-me track.)
Sadly not a new track, posted in haste. The track I meant is of course “Ready or not”. Sorry!
Actually my recommendation would be this one:
For your honky-tonkin’ badass music, you can’t beat Sarah Shook and her gang:
She is already on the list. I plan to see her on her upcoming UK tour.
Well this is doing better than the hip-hop thread…. who’d a think it….?
Well I for one had nothing to contribute to that…
Hip hop? Surprised we’ve not had this mega hit yet!
Of course you should have some Little Feat, either version of “Willin'” is great, “Truck Stop Girl” or “I’ve been the one” are country tinged, Six feet of snow” is country rock heaven or maybe the best is “Rock n roll doctor” which asks if you like country with a boogie beat. We do, we do.
Eagles. Just saying….
I was thinking “Midnight flyer” off the same album!
Another scrolling offence – Lying Eyes is on Martin’s list.
Scrollin’, scrollin’ scrollin’
Rawhide!
Here’s a few more for the list.
Gotta have some Arlo Guthrie – City of New Orleans
Maria Muldaur – Midnight At The Oasis
The Band – The Weight
America – Ventura Highway
If the Eagles, I’d plump for Tequila Sunrise
Manassas – It Doesn’t Matter
apols if they’re already there.
Blimey you lot are good. Just a note to say I’ll be investigating all these avenues and anyone who’s subscribed already will see the playlist expand. Today’s big find courtesy of an old friend and colleague was the album Grandma’s Roadhouse by Riley, an early enterprise of Gary Stewart’s. It sounds like some made cross of the Burritos, Jim Ford and Creedence. Works for me!
There are some excellent country musicians. One thing you can also be sure of is some fine story telling…
A few new names here, a few that have already been mentioned.
Dusty Boxcar Wall – Eileen Jewell
Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight – Rodney Crowell
He thinks he’ll keep her – Mary Chapin Carpenter
Church – Lyle Lovett
Drag Queens in Limousines – Mary Gautier
The Girls from Texas – Ry Cooder
Little Sparrow – Dolly Parton
Ruby don’t take your love to town – Kenny Rogers
Lubbock calling to the faraway towns.
You might find this interesting @Twang.
Joe Ely reminisces about working with The Clash.
https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2000-05-19/77249/
Rather amusing to hear about the towns they wanted to play in Texas.
Joe even did a Clash cover.
I can’t help but be impressed by The Clash and the broadness of their musical interest. Dub reggae down at Hammy Palais. And then inviting Ely to support them on their tour.
This article covers The Clash’s many musical influences.
https://consequence.net/2017/04/how-the-clash-can-lead-to-a-great-record-collection/
They were a damn sight broader in their taste than many of their fans.
Now, there’s a suprise!
Joe Ely is from Lubbock. As is Terry Allen.
And I knew nothing about their home town….
“it is also a city with more churches per capita than any other in the country, one in which you couldn’t buy alcohol until 1972 and still can’t buy a beer in a grocery store.”
It sounds like Sweden! With cattle instead of reindeer!
https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/gotta-lubbock/
Another son of Lubbock was the Rave on Hitmaker who now has a concert hall named after him.
Terry Allen has even done an album dedicated to his old home town.
Here’s the opening track from Lubbock (on everything)
Suicide supported the Clash on one of their UK tours and they received a very hostile reaction. Grandmaster Flash supported them in the US and did not go down well. One of the things that thrilled me at the early punk gigs that I went to was punks dancing to reggae.
For a scene which welcomed new and different things, there was certainly plenty of narrow minded people who just wanted meat and potatoes rock ‘n’ roll. Punks weren’t unique in this. I still know rock fans who hate soul and reggae – their loss.
Lee Dorsey too. The Disco Sucks crowd didn’t like him. Wazzocks.
I don’t think Bananarama went down a bundle when they supported The Jam.
So true @Alias. Hats off to the Clash for choosing Suicide as their support act.
This narrow-mindedness among the fans is definitely something that peeved The Venerable Peel. There he was, doing these wonderfully eclectic radio shows which embraced such a broad range of different styles.
But when it came to voting for his Festive Fifty, the voting was embarassingly predictable.
A big cheer of approval to all those who drag me out of my comfort zone.
David Byrne’s Brazilian and Cuban compilations on Luaka Bop are magic!
Here is country music from the North East of Brazil. This song is a national anthem up there.
Cheers KFD will watch. I liked Joe Ely a whole lot more than the Clash back then.
A NEW ONE & AN OLD ONE
“The Long Road Home” Danny Worsnop – New
“Country Music For City Folk” Jerry Lee Lewis – Old
How about considering “Driving On Bald Headed Mountain” The Kinks
Or – The Guess Who ??
Here’s the new one from The Lone Bellow
Another “Never To Be Forgotten” Eddie Cochran – started out as The Cochran Brothers – Eddie & Hank -NOT related, doing country style Rock in the ’50’s.
Rockstar Label put out an EP in the UK by Eddie Cochran “Country Style”.
A little surprised he has NOT got a mention (until now).
Was thinking something similar while waiting for my tablets at the pharmacy.
Chuck Berry’s Maybellene was based on the country fiddle tune Ida Red.
I don’t think Margo Price has been mentioned yet.
Here she is doing a Tiny Desk. On the morning of November 28 2016. She was in tears before doing the set. Read Bob Boilen’s comment!
A couple of days ago @retropath2 posted a track by Leftover Salmon, a band I’d never heard of.
I enjoyed it so much, I am posting an encore. These guys can play.
Lovely stuff. Checking them out on Spotify. Thanks.
Smashing, aren’t they?
I suspect that Deadheads would enjoy this. More than a smidgeon of Garcia and Co at their best there. But these guys have far better voices!
Just been rummaging around to make Celtic connections and I remembered the Chieftains have recorded in Nashville: Down the Old the Old Plank Road vols 1 & 2.
Emmylou
John Hiatt and Tim O’Brien
And indeed with Ry Cooder.
Let’s get a bit of Jenny Lewis in here too…
Ms Lewis was a great choice, Very quirky!
I’m going to be quite shameless and post this shamelessly romantic ballad by Tift Merritt. Perfect listening for when you and your cowgirl or cowboy ride out to the desert and have a snog admiring the Grand Canyon.
I have a lot of time for those big honky tonk combos wth more than smidgeon of Western Swing.
Commander Cody
Asleep at the Wheel
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0Pz2kL8Ec
Lyle was definitely the artist that got me -re-interested in country affer a few punky, proggy, rocky years.
With Randy Newman
Hamper!!!
(Forgot these guys)
Good call, meant to add them earlier. We play that first album regularly, especially whilst driving.
Classy, Retro!!
What an insanely catchy song!
Can I just say thanks for all the recommendations here? I think Countryphile has gone from 125 songs to about 160, and I’ve found many new avenues to go down. I especially can’t believe I’d never encountered that Carlene Carter album before. Dodgy synthpop cover of Ring of Fire aside, it’s a beauty. Obviously I’d heard of the likes of His Golden Messenger and Son Volt but I’d never got round to listening to them, something I intend to rectify. Will doubtless be adding more to this whenever I stumble upon a great country rock song of whatever vintage. But in the meantime, thanks Afterworders. More playlists will follow. We’ll finish Spotify eventually.