Tag Archives: country

Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #425: Gram Parsons, Grievous Angel

#425

Gram Parsons, Grievous Angel

Release Date: 1974
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
This must be his flag design.
Impressions: I'm not a well-informed on country music. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs in the '70s, so country music was at the time the butt of many easy jokes (think of the "Bob's Country Bunker" scene in The Blues Brothers.) It also didn't help that most of my early exposure to country was from cheeseball TV variety shows like The Mandrell Sisters or Hee Haw and that lots of today's country is completely awful. Despite all … Continue Reading ››
Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #458: Elton John – Tumbleweed Connection

Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection
Piano men have always been kinda like gunslingers, right?
#458

Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection

Release Date: 1970 Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: Not well-versed in Sir Elton outside of the big hits. I considre myself a fan nor a hater. Let's give this a spin... Weird choice for only his third album: a very loose old-West-themed concept album by two guys (Elton John, lyricist Bernie Taupin) who had never been to the US at the time. Hubris (and drugs) can only be the reason they'd do this. Oddly, this fake country … Continue Reading ››
Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #477: Merle Haggard – All Time Greatest Hits

#477

Merle Haggard, All Time Greatest Hits

Release Date: 2004
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: Oh, man. A FOUR DISC BOX SET?!? Rolling Stone! GRRR, why are you busting my chops like this and, to top it all off, SPOTIFY doesn't have it! So, I could buy it ($40!) or just cobble it together track-by-track online. Ugh, time to get to cobbling. I'm sure most people who have tried listening to the entire list have crashed and burned here, but I'm determined to continue for some reason. Let's listen..."Skid Row" is a nice snappy opener. (CUT TO: 20 songs later) Okay, so far, these tunes are really … Continue Reading ››
Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #478: Loretta Lynn – All Time Greatest Hits

#478

Loretta Lynn, All Time Greatest Hits

Release Date: 1971
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Loretta Lynn, All-Time Greatest Hits
Her All-Time Greatest Hits of All-Time
Impressions:  As I've mentioned before, I'm not big on country music-- mostly because of modern commericalization of the country style-- but, when in the mood, this collection of cryin-in-your-beer, vintage country from Ms. Lynn is completely aggreable. "Wine, Women and Song" is a perfect introduction to her basic style. It's all there: tasty, classic countryfied instrumental backup, her straightforward, yet singular voice … Continue Reading ››
Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #482: Steve Earle – Guitar Town

#482

Steve Earle, Guitar Town

Release Date: 1986
Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes
Steve Earle, Guitar Town
Steve is going to go to town on that guitar.
Impressions:  Modern country isn't exactly my bag, but over the years I've grown to appreciate older country stars like Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline, and so-called alt-country artists like Uncle Tupelo, but the sheen of modern Nashville country still bores me. I guess lots of these newer country stars just seem to me like they are doing lame arena rock dressed up with a "country" packaging. Steve Earle seems … Continue Reading ››