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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
 Posted - 12/02/2003 : 05:36:36
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Hey y'all
I think I'm starting to like country music. Frank is guilty for that, but not only him. I've always been a fan of the Geraldine Fibbers, and last month I bought Carla Bozulich's solo album, which is a cover of Willie Nelson's album Red Headed Stranger. And it's awesome. Willie himself sings on 2 tracks and plays guitar on another one, and the rest is Carla, Nels Cline and some other guys playing in a very eerie, jazzy, intimistic way. It sounds like if everyone gathered one night, drank waaay too much, and at 5am, when they regained conscience, grabbed their instruments and decided to cover Red Headed Stranger while they were still half asleep and half drunk; and the result is amazing.
So this album made me realise that I don't know anything at all about country music besides a couple of alt.country bands. How's Nelson's original Red Headed Stranger record? Is it good? Which other country band would you recommend me? Hey, I have never ever heard Garth Brooks and all the guys everyone seems to hate here, so I need your help to discover the great bands and avoid the others.
Last question: I saw Rough Trade Shops just released an alt.country compilation (cleverly called "Rough Trade Shops Country"), is it worth buying it?
Thanks for your advice
Denis
 "In the Cult of Frank/You don't even get backstage passes" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 07:00:25
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Please look into the roots while you're there - looks like that Rough Trade Shops Country is a good start down the path of Hank Williams Sr.'s and Johnny Cash's "disciples". I've seen some other folks on this forum goin gaa gaa over Steve Earle, and he's on there (I need to check him out myself)- I would imagine that's good. You still should check into the beginnings of country and maybe you'll even start liking Bluegrass (you'll want to avoid the fake crap :)) and even further into the old mountain music...who knows? That album you speak of is a bunch of 80's 90's stuff that's influenced by all that, but it still looks like a great compilation. Here's a review I found:
http://www.adequacy.net/reviews/va/roughtradeshops.shtml
If you like a country flavor these days, I highly highly recommend Calexico. They also seem to have quite a following internationally, and tour heavily in France, etc. - very good music!
The mainstream but still classic and very good: Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, The Carter Family, Johnny Cash.......
I have completely forgotten what else - there is so much! Therefore I will shut up and let somebody else help you out. I'll try to remember more and get back to you. |
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Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 07:30:04
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I totally agree on Hank Williams Sr. Great songwriting and emotion in the songs. Dont bother with anything that can be described as "new country" or "young Country". Garth Brooks is not worth your time or money. There have already been a couple new 'Garth Brooks' over the last couple of years and they are all so generic.
If you like FB's take on country music I recommend Doug Sahm. He is the guy who wrote Sunday Sunny Mill Valley Groove Day. It isnt technically country, but, it definitely leans that way. The Atlantic Sessions CD is great and includes Bob Dylan on one cut.
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WolfManMikeLonely
= Cult of Ray =
USA
936 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 07:36:41
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Hank Williams III is pretty cool. I like him at least.
"Hey fuck you if you don't like it."
-Johnny Thunders |
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Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 07:43:21
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| HWIII comes through Dallas pretty often and I always intend to check him out but never quite get it done. Any particular CD you recommend? |
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Frog in the Sand
-+ Le premiere frog +-
France
2715 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 07:55:00
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I only own 6 country albums but they're all f***ingly good:
- Johnny Cash: American Recordings I-IV
- Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson: Storytellers
- Neil Young: Old Ways
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WolfManMikeLonely
= Cult of Ray =
USA
936 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 08:06:38
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Don't really know his albums at all, just heard random songs and they tend to be pretty good, haven't got big into him yet but I do like him.
"Hey fuck you if you don't like it."
-Johnny Thunders |
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Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
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WolfManMikeLonely
= Cult of Ray =
USA
936 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 08:14:39
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Cool. Thanks much.
"Hey fuck you if you don't like it."
-Johnny Thunders |
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Frog in the Sand
-+ Le premiere frog +-
France
2715 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 08:23:53
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I fully agree with Apl4eris about Calexico, but I'd say that most of their songs sound more like experimental folk than country music.
In the same (?) vein, the Walkabouts do a very good job. I love all their albums, especially "Satisfied Mind" and "Night Town".
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 08:31:08
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Well I don't like Calexico at all, for the wrong reasons: the only album I've ever heard by them is Hot Rail, wchich I've been told is their weakest. But I hate it.
Denis
"In the Cult of Frank/You don't even get backstage passes" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 08:51:11
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quote:
Originally posted by vilainde
Well I don't like Calexico at all, for the wrong reasons: the only album I've ever heard by them is Hot Rail, wchich I've been told is their weakest. But I hate it.
Denis
"In the Cult of Frank/You don't even get backstage passes"
It may also be a mood and/or a contextual thing - I can imagine that if I had heard that album (Hot Rail) first and I had not gone down the same path of discovery, I might have easily dismissed them. I don't know if you'd ever even want to spend time reconsidering, but I know that many bands can be much like Frank Black - not digestible at first, but over time and maybe with some struggle, you end up loving it. But then again, it could just be utter crap - and I just happen to love crap, which is not at all a long shot! heheh. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 08:58:11
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I've actually only heard one song of theirs (Calexico's) which I love... LOVE. I was actually thinking of featuring it since my turn is coming up in the ring, but now I don't know...
Minas De Cobres or something like that. Just a beautiful Spanish riff resplendant with horns and strings and acoustic guitar.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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Frog in the Sand
-+ Le premiere frog +-
France
2715 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2003 : 11:30:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
I've actually only heard one song of theirs (Calexico's) which I love... LOVE. I was actually thinking of featuring it since my turn is coming up in the ring, but now I don't know...
Minas De Cobres or something like that. Just a beautiful Spanish riff resplendant with horns and strings and acoustic guitar.
Oh yeah!!! Minas de Cobre, from "The Black Light". Beautiful song indeed. |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2003 : 01:37:20
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Hey! I don't want my thread to turn in a Calexico appreciation topic. More Willie Nelson please! Which album of his should I get?
Denis
"In the Cult of Frank/You don't even get backstage passes" |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2003 : 02:02:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Frog in the Sand
I only own 6 country albums but they're all f***ingly good:
- Johnny Cash: American Recordings I-IV
- Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson: Storytellers
- Neil Young: Old Ways
I wouldn't call Neil Young purely country. He has been called, at times, the father of alternative music.
There are some anomolies of music that throw me into doubt, like Neil Young: the music sounds twangy sometimes, the content is alot of times about the country, and the accent is sometimes southern. What is it that separates Neil Young and Willie Nelson? Personally I don't ascribe to all the labels (at least, I've been trying not to.) It sounds really simplistic and obvious, but I just like what I like, and try not to worry about whether or not the music fits into a certain category or not.
BTW, though it may have been said on this forum before, I really believe that Frank Black and the Catholics transcend alot of boundaries...it's like Frank has a major interest in country, and some of the elements of country music, but doens't want to limit himself to strictly that, or rock, or any one genre. It amazes me because with the type of music that I'm used to (i.e. the "grunge" or alternative stuff) you don't often get that crossover.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.
Carl Sagan
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Grizwald
- FB Fan -
Canada
100 Posts |
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rockathon
- FB Fan -
241 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2003 : 07:40:46
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| certainly check out Uncle Tupelo |
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Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2003 : 07:42:15
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| Man I cant believe I didnt mention Uncle Tupelo. Good catch rockathon, great band. |
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rockathon
- FB Fan -
241 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2003 : 07:44:54
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| truly, one of my favorites |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
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JamesM
= Cult of Ray =
308 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2003 : 08:36:24
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Carla's great, and WOW - apl4eris - someone else who likes Souled American! You ever heard Granfaloon Bus? Great band (sort of) in the same vein as Souled American. I think everyone should be required to pick up Victor Krummenacher's "Bittersweet" from http://www.magneticmotorworks.com - there's a duet between he and Carla on the last track; forgot the damn name of it, it's a great song though. Victor is the bass player for Camper Van Beethoven.
-Jimmy M. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2003 : 08:57:50
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No I haven't heard of Granfaloon Bus, checking them out now on here http://www.epitonic.com/artists/granfaloonbus.html
So far I like them. Like a cross between Calexico and Souled American with Neil Youngish vocals and guitars vibrating over the desert horizon like his work on "Dead Man". Thank you, I like this!
vilainde, more stuff you may like there....looks like |
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Frog in the Sand
-+ Le premiere frog +-
France
2715 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2003 : 11:07:46
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quote:
Originally posted by glacial906
quote:
Originally posted by Frog in the Sand
I only own 6 country albums but they're all f***ingly good:
- Johnny Cash: American Recordings I-IV
- Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson: Storytellers
- Neil Young: Old Ways
I wouldn't call Neil Young purely country. He has been called, at times, the father of alternative music.
I didn't call Neil Young purely country, I just said that Old Ways is a country album, and a very good one, yeah.
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2003 : 11:21:33
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Nah, dude, I was just saying, collectively there are alot of people who know him to be country but IMO he kind of transcends that boundary.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.
Carl Sagan
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2003 : 12:47:40
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I was just chatting with Echo Park/Eric Potter of Manitoba fame (not to mention he and his wife's cover of So. Bay on You Ain't Me) and apparently he's going to be doing a duet with Neil Young. Just thought I'd pass on the good news since this sort of reminded me.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 03:16:16
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Awesome! Thanks everyone, I'll try to have a listen to what you mentioned. I know Uncle Tupelo did a song on the No Alternative compilation but I can't remember how it was.
Denis
"In the Cult of Frank/You don't even get backstage passes" |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 09:29:18
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| I assume people know the split up of Uncle Tupelo lead to Son Volt and Wilco. I haven't heard any of the more recent Son Volt, but one of their earlier records (Trace) is a good alt.country album. Wilco has moved away from country, but are still very good. Their first record, A.M., is pretty much country and I like it. |
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JamesM
= Cult of Ray =
308 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2003 : 06:36:27
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I remember Uncle Tupelo when they were from around these parts (St. Louis - Belleville, Illinois, specifically); I was quite young, but my dad always seemed to like them.
-Jimmy M. |
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Frog in the Sand
-+ Le premiere frog +-
France
2715 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 06:23:03
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quote:
Originally posted by glacial906
Nah, dude, I was just saying, collectively there are alot of people who know him to be country but IMO he kind of transcends that boundary.
Sure, this guy transcends ALL the boundaries, although IMO most of his non-country albums actually sound a bit country. Even his rockest, "grungest" albums like Freedom and Ragged Glory (my faves) sound a bit country - and I like that.
Denis, one more thing - if you like pure, classic country music, I recommend "The Nashville Sessions / Down the Old Plank Road", by the Chieftains. The last song, which blends almost all the Southern music styles, is absolutely amazing.
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 07:56:12
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| Anyone dig the Ween country album? It took my a while to get into, but I'm really liking it now. |
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