The best Country albums...

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:26 pm

With the most unique voices singing?

I am addicted to "Almost Blue", "Nashville And More", and have been listening to some C&W Ray Charles and Gram Parson-- any suggestions would be nice.

invisible Pole · Post by **invisible Pole** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:47 pm

I am not that big expert on country, but I think The Byrds' "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" is excellent.

And as for more traditional country sound few things can beat Hank Williams. His "40 Greatest Hits" can be a good starting point.

Post by **BlueChair** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:11 pm

You're off to a good start with Gram Parsons. If you like his singing, definitely check out The Byrds' Sweetheart Of The Rodeo and The Flying Burrito Brothers (I recommend their first two albums, Gilded Palace Of Sin and Burrito Deluxe, which are both available on one CD.

Johnny Cash, to me, is the quintessential country artist. I think you'd like his more recent albums the best, my favourite of which is Unchained. His prison live albums from the late 60's are also great, especially Live At San Quentin.

Much of my country education came from albums by otherwise non-country artists, like Neil Young's Harvest album, which contains some great country songs.

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:52 pm

Off the top of my head, here are some great country albums
-Storms of Life,Randy Travis
-This Merle Haggard best of
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... 39-0007328
avoid later compilations of re-recordings
-Johnny Cash's American albums
-this great Charlie rich set
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... 39-0007328
Get his last album while your at it
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=music
Both albums contain his great version of Feel Like Going Home, which Elvis did an extraordinary version of during the KOA sessions, which should hopefully be on the re-issue.
And on it goes. Loads of great music, this excellent online station always plays good country music
http://www.kcuvradio.com/playa/index.as ... rigger.asx

bobster · Post by **bobster** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 12:11 am

I haven't listened to it in years, but Willie Nelson's "Red Headed Stranger" is pretty great.

marblefaun · Post by **marblefaun** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:19 pm

My faves:
Johnny Cash-Live at Folsom Prison
Almost anything by Townes Van Zandt
Loretta Lynn and Jack White just put out a pretty damn good record!

Boy With A Problem · Post by **Boy With A Problem** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:28 pm

Start with the early stuff -

The best place to start, in my opinion, are the first three discs in the Columbia Country Classics series. Most of the big names are in these (from the Carters, Roy Acuff, Gene Autry through Carl Smith, Lefty Frizzell up through Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins) -

Hank Williams - any hits package (the 2 disc 4o greatest on Polydor is perfect) -

Patsy Cline - same thing - go for the hits

Willie Nelson - The Essential Willie Nelson -

The above mentioned Johnny Cash at Folsom -

El Vez put together a list of his 55 favorite country records a few months back - I'm sure if you search his posts you'll find it.

Branst · Post by **Branst** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 3:23 pm

Though it's not too serious, check out Ween's country album.