Country Music

Steve O,

I wasn't accusing you of being narrow/small-minded. I was picking up on your thread and commenting upon the fact that certain comments in the rest of the thread were completely dismissive of an entire genre. Thus the sentence that started "Then again, how about you ALL".

In retrospect I shouldn't have addressed my comments to you so I grovel before you, however, perhaps that sentence should have been "Then again, how about y'all..."!!!

I actually disagree with little you say, including your experience of Nanci. Far better to go with the reccomendations of Roy T. re: Nanci e.g. Last Of The True Believers. Recent output has been well below the standard of her early stuff.

Mike H.

My opinion, which I've stated before in a similar thread, is that those who dismiss an entire genre of human musical expression out of hand (sometimes accompanied by insulting attempts at humor) are guilty of musical bigotry, which is not unlike, and sometimes even directly associated with, racism and classism. There is good and bad in every human, in every human group, in every human endeavor, and certainly in all human artistic creation.

If it isn't your cup of tea, that's fine, but I've always felt that it was crucial to keep distinct one's personal taste and critical assessment of artistic value. For instance, I don't particularly care for the traditional conventions of operatic singing, but I don't elevate my own opinion to the level of pronouncing all opera as crap ... clearly there are many great achievements in the genre, whether I like them or not.

With all due respect to everyone here, and I'm not singling anyone out, but it's always seemed to me a childish and closed minded attitude that only what one likes is of any overall worth. Just something to think about.

Now it seems that "Western" has crept into the conversation ("Yeah we have all types of music here - Country and Western").
What is the difference? 'Cos it's right that there really is one, isn't there?
I think some of the stuff mentioned - Neil Young, Fly Burrito Bros, The Band, Eagles, cannot really be considered Country - maybe crossover Country, but they wouldn't have a Country audience (?).
It seems that we have here a thread to discuss a genre of music that barring a couple of forum members, no-one knows anything about! Why is that!
I am sure that there is some good stuff and now I'm very interested to find it.

Fred Simon,

I agree with you entirely about the attitude expressed by some forum members who belong to the "I don't like it, therefore it must be crap" brigade. Their sarcastic comments can be seen in Hi-fi Corner, and Padded Cell, as well as here in the Music Room.

Very sad, and an indicator as to why there is still so much prejudice of all kinds in the world.

Steve D

I'm afraid I must respectfully disagree with you chaps and feel you are taking the content and role of the forum way too seriously. It is quite apparent that those of us who make outlandish broad criticisms of music or artists, are quite aware that we are often completely and utterly wrongheaded. I for one don't feel competent and indeed have no wish to make any kind of serious critical judgement and simply give my opinion.
I think you would find that the forum would rather rapidly wilt on the vine without the controversialists, argument and occasionally the all out rabid nonsense.

John

Fred ...really enjoying John Taylor's Rosslyn on your recommendation

John C
IMHO Well said!

Gunnar

A couple of R2 playlists from Nick & Bob - to me they both sound good plus I enjoy most of the music played.

I could always expolre new areas by studying the extensive Folkways site and then move on to see what the CMA Awards site has to offer.

But is it country? Yes, but it all depends on who you ask.

Roy

[This message was edited by Roy T on TUESDAY 16 December 2003 at 14:43.]

Well said John C.
Those of us who have stated that we're uninspired by the genre have been roundly set upon.
I don't think the word "crap" is meant to condemn the music as worthless, it's merely an expression of the author's musical opinion.
IMHO any artist in any genre capable of obtaining a recording contract must have some merit and cannot therefore be "defined" as crap, regardless of how "crap" it may sound to some people. It's all subjective at the end of the day.
What a boring place it would be if we all liked the same thing.

Steve O.

I meant no offences, I should have said IMO country music is a bunch of poo.

I have some things to explore now, who knows my mind may change and very soon i'll be a member of some line dancing troupe.

Try the following Country artists as they are, IMO really good!

Maty Chapin Carpenter
Hal Ketchum
Tim McGraw
Keith Urban (Golden Road CD)
Reba McEntire
Sarah Evans (Restless CD)
Colin Raye
Phil Vassar
Brooks & Dunn (Particularly "Steers & Stripes" CD)
Lonestar

They all have produced some excellant material and are woth an audition.

As with most good music, it may take a few listens before it really grabs you.........

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......

I would have thought that the most perfect way to mount an attack on an allergy to country music would be via Alison Krauss. OK this is actually more your "bluegrass" but if you get "New Favorite" and listen to it enough you may eventually resist the impulse to fast forward through the Union Station tracks to get to the sweetly pretty songs (sung by sweet li'l Alison) that lie between and at that point you might actually find yourself tapping your toes to music featuring banjo, mandolin and fiddle, which could be the start of a whole new ballgame.

Another way in is via 2G alt.country like Wilco's "AM", Son-volt's "Trace", Jay Farrar's "Terrior blues". From there it's a short leap to Steve Earl, Julie and Buddy Miller and HEAPS of similarly amazing music.

Another option, The Handsome Family. A recent dicovery of mine, almost a conventional country style but rather subversive lyrics and an almost gothic mood that somehow works rather well.

One more artiste-Lyle Lovett. His output is pretty consistent quality-'I Love Everybody' or 'Joshua Judges Ruth' good starting places.

Bruce

Emmylou Harris: From A Deeper Well

Might be worth setting the video for this Emmylou offering on BBC4.

Roy