C&W (yes, really) recommendations

[evenflow]

Looking for recommendations for a specific genre - I *think* it would be classed as Country and Western.

Not looking for the more blues-oriented stuff ("My woman left me and even my dog's a bh") - more in the upbeat, uptempo style of Jerry Read's Cannonball RUn theme tune, theme of the Dukes of Hazzard, "East Bound and Down", that type of thing...

Cheers.

[tenohfive]

I'm not sure if it fits the criteria (I don't really listen to the genre) but I really like this song and keep meaning to listen to some more of his stuff:

Toby Keith - Beer For My Horses ft. Willie Nelson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1JOFhfoAD4&ob=...

Skip to 0.54 if you want to get straight to the music.

[2volvos]

Check out any Gram Parsons or his stuff with The Flying Burrito Brothers and The Byrds (Sweetheart of the Rodeo).

Had the spirit of West Coast 60s rock with a real country sensibility to make some amazing music that pretty much kicked the country rock genre - although his stuff definitely sounds far more country than rock. But the great thing about him is that you can listen with a complete absence of guilt or irony...it's just brilliant music performed in a heartfelt way. His duets with Emmylou Harris are to die for.

[vetrof]

Maybe doesn't fit the bill, but any excuse for Johnny Cash.

http://vimeo.com/1663961?pg=embed&sec=1663961

[2volvos]

2volvos said:

Check out any Gram Parsons or his stuff with The Flying Burrito Brothers and The Byrds (Sweetheart of the Rodeo).

Had the spirit of West Coast 60s rock with a real country sensibility to make some amazing music that pretty much kicked off the country rock genre - although his stuff definitely sounds far more country than rock. But the great thing about him is that you can listen with a complete absence of guilt or irony...it's just brilliant music performed in a heartfelt way. His duets with Emmylou Harris are to die for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCqxq6xqoXI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BITiY8M_oDo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePGJDYDbsdA

Here you go had chance to look some stuff up now. Great to harmonise and play your guitar to as well...

That last one was one of my Your Desert Island Discs a few months ago.

20 thousands roads I went down, down, down and they all led me straight back home to you...Classy stuff.

[davepoth]

What you're looking for is known as "Outlaw Country".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaw_Country

Waylon is a good place to start, just start digging from there. Loads of good stuff to be found.

[TheMighty]

Yup, it depends how "Outlaw" Outlaw Country you want to get and just how redneck your sensibilities will allow. From Waylon and Willie right through to David Alan Coe. You might find some of the younger outlaws worth a listen too including Hank Williams III, Kevin Fowler and maybe Shooter Jennings, Waylons only son.

Of the more modern stuff, Mickey and the Motorcars I think are pretty cool as were Cross Canadian Ragweed. The "Red Dirt" sound is the Oklahoma equivalent of the Texas "Outlaw Country". Going back in time but further east there's the more Nashville/Southern sound of Charlie Daniels and bands like Confederate Railroad. Back over to Texas and I quite like Two Tons of Steel(more rockabilly) and Asleep at the Wheel for something different.

Of the modern commercial stuff worth a listen, I'd head for Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Joe Nichols, Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, and bands like Rascal Flatts. For something different try the Zac Brown Band.

[evenflow]

Cheers all!

Looks like I need to do some digging around based on the suggestions. At least now I have a name for the genre as well

[Gaspode]

You could give bluegrass a go, while you're at it. It's where C&W originated.

[Pothole]

Brad Paisley might fit the bill too...by the way, hardly anyone uses the 'and Western' bit these days, it's just Country.

Edited by Pothole on Saturday 26th November 23:07

[rlw]

A bit off beam maybe but also try

Robert Earl Keen
Lyle Lovett
Dwight Yoakam

and Asleep at the Wheel too

which will then get you into Bob Wills

[Foofighter]

Seen both Brad Paisley and Toby Keith this year, both amazing performers, Brad brought his American style show over to the O2 in July, including huge screens with all the videos and stuff on in the background.

I think the borders with Country and Pop have become more and more blurring, for example, Taylor Swift is classed as Country, but all her music is very Poppy.

But to get you started with the more commercial style of Country, Brad Paisley - American Saturday Night the album, definitely worth a buy, along with his last one, This is Country Music.

Toby Keith is much more 'red neck' in terms of his patriotism in his songs. Check out Courtesy of the Red White and Blue (Angry American) on youtube, you'll see what I mean. He has been producing songs for ages though and has about 14 albums, and there are some great songs in there.

Carrie Underwood is worth a spin too, her album 'Play On' is a very nice listen.

Some Videos...

Brad Paisley - American Saturday Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvdoKvHYxcA

Toby Keith - American Ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNDcAWNscg8

Carrie Underwod - Mama's Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpFW4Yhy08k

Taylor Swift - Mean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYa1eI1hpDE

Lady Antebellum - Our Kind of Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaOKbvpxnTo

[uk_vette]

Here are some really great tunes.

Clay Walker = 'Fore She was Mama
Alan Jackson = Chattahoochee
Alan Jackson = It's 5 o'clock some where
Alan Jackson = Laid back in Low key
Alan Jackson = Here in The Real World
Alan Jackson = She's Gone Country
Josh Turner = Your Man
Nick Shelton = Some Beach

vette

[GetCarter]

Lynyrd Skynyrd are about as C&W as I ever got... some of their stuff *was* great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Du-CWASm20

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 19th November 13:23

[crofty1984]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TSaqMyPwBM&fea...
James McMurtry and the heartless bds - Choctaw bingo

[Apache]

was blown away by these, she's a looker too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-DB2btV2oQ

[sticks090460]

Sean Mullins.

[suthol]

Rhythm Angels "If I Had a Gun" here or the writer Diana Jones version here

You could dig into Will The Circle Be Unbroken by the Nitty Ditty Dirt Band and a heap of huge names from the past.

What about Dolly's album " The Grass Is Blue ", anything by Doc Watson

Tis a very rich vein you are looking to tap.

For an open mine head on over to this thread on TDPRI and spend a month or so trawling through the posts and the Youtube links contained therein.

Edited by suthol on Monday 28th November 08:37

[Pothole]

suthol said:

Rhythm Angels "If I Had a Gun" here or the writer Diana Jones version here

You could dig into Will The Circle Be Unbroken by the Nitty Ditty Dirt Band and a heap of huge names from the past.

What about Dolly's album " The Grass Is Blue ", anything by Doc Watson

Tis a very rich vein you are looking to tap.

For an open mine head on over to this thread on TDPRI and spend a month or so trawling through the posts and the Youtube links contained therein.

Edited by suthol on Monday 28th November 08:37

or even the Nitty GRITTY Dirt Band?

[suthol]

Pothole said:

or even the Nitty GRITTY Dirt Band?

Far cough, you.