Bored browsing Spotify a few months back and started listening to Jason Isbell, who has fast become one of my favourite lyricists and song writers. This snowballed in to Sturgil Simpson’s first couple of albums (already aware of later stuff) and then Colter Wall and Tyler Childers. Other than the older stuff like Cash, Van Zandt et al does anyone have recommendations for artists in a similar vein?
I suppose it is almost the folk music/Americana side of country. Some great live performances.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hCebq5lLgos
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_QzcrflqDCg
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H7cOtDMJL2MThe
Hank Williams III
Thanks, but already got Guy and the Hanks and most of the classic older stuff. Wondering if there are any other modern artist of a similar ilk.
Not American but Australian and not really country but I really like Wil Thomas. This is The Lawley:
https://m.soundcloud.com/wil-thomas-music/wil-thomas-provenance-11-the-lawley
Eric Church... getting me coat....
I'm no avid listener but quite enjoy the Bob Harris country show on radio 2
I know you've asked for modern country but any excuse to shoehorn in the Godfather of Country Rock:
Gene Clark
Could never get into Flying Burrito Brothers but Genes ouvre is a thing of beauty. One of the greatest songbooks of anyone
Angel Olsen? Sat me down hard when I chanced upon her music a few months back. Hard to categorise. Spooky folk country rock. Needs a dark place and turned up. Lyrics are captioned.
Steve Earle goes with Guy and Townes.
Blaze Foley and Kris Kritofferson too.
Robbue Faulks, Slaid Cleeves and Todd Snider for current stuff.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=erdlUyllNhU
That first track you posted, @funkmasterp, is excellent. I will be listening more.
I agree about the folk aspect of country, but having spent a fair bit of time in the Deep South, would say that there is more to the culture than the grotesque stuff we imagine. In my experience, that stuff is there, but so are other, interesting, facets of culture rooted in history and a different way of seeing the world that - when country music is at its best - gets reflected in the sound.
You'll be line dancing next.
Bit more American folky but are you familiar with Willy Mason and Joe Pug? Or some of White Buffalo's earlier stuff is good.
That first track you posted, @funkmasterp, is excellent. I will be listening more.
He’s one of yours too 😀 talented Canadian man. Just released a new album. Some covers and originals too.
Bit more American folky but are you familiar with Willy Mason and Joe Pug?
Big fan of Willy Mason. The man’s records are few and far between. Will check out Joe Pug. White Buffalo has some great songs. The Whistler is a very haunting song.
Angel Olsen?
Have to be in the right mood, but she’s great when I am.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BBydsvJX8vM
And John Prine dont forget him
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbEFTv9zr0
Eric Church… getting me coat….
No need, you’ve pulled. ❤️
Anyway, I love country. Because, everything is country. Except jazz.
Give Midland a go for a throwback to a seventies vibe but with a sense of humour.
Parker McCollum, another Texan, has some great one-guy-and-his-guitar songs. And if you heard Khruaingbin’s Texas Sun being played a lot on 6Records a while back, it’s worth checking out the vocalist’s Leon Bridge’s stuff.
John Prine was great. Huge influence on Isbell too. Think I’ve gone through pretty much all the old classic guys and gals. Can’t keep on playing Isbell, Wall and Childers on repeat so need some more 😀 definitely keep he recommendations coming
Gangsta Grass should be a novelty, but are actually pretty great.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cCEHQ_nhxOA
Will check out Joe Pug.
I thought he was a bit of a Bob Dylan soundalike at first but he grew on me.
Bookmarked.
I like Corb Lund. Try his album Cabin Fever. Quite varied.
Welcome along 🤠
TVZ,? You might like Jason Isbell
Also Hayes Carll
Just read the OP, missed the Isbell reference 🥴
Ooooh I LOVE country music. Big fan.
But then I even watch Pro Bull riding as well 🙂
Try Blackberry smoke if you need an easy in.
Just read the OP, missed the Isbell reference 🥴
Can’t get enough of him. Honestly think Elephant is one of the finest songs ever written. Love pretty much everything he’s done.
Gene Clark
In case you hadn't heard it, a really interesting cover of Polly
Travis tritt a great day to be alive is an old Angola favourite of mine.....
Used to work with alot of good old boys. Country featured high on Saturday night bbqs
Introducing the wife to many of above via Spotify hah. Not her idea of good music I think
Last 3 of his albums anyone would have been proud to have written one of them let alone all of them.
Big fan of Tyler childs too, especially Live on Red Barn Radio seasion.
Also Ashley McBride is worth a listen and Andrew combs
Am partial to a bit of Austin Lucas:
I was coming to post some White Buffalo, but I've been beaten to it.
I'm also a bit partial to Monte Montgomery. Not what you specifically asked for, but.
Thanks all. A good few to add to the playlist.
Isbell is outstanding in some songs, a bit bland in others. Flagship of the Fleet is one of the most moving songs I've heard.
I randomly came across the Dead South recently. They are great.
I randomly came across the Dead South recently. They are great.
Saw them live in Brizzle last year. They were awesome.
The Devil Makes Three
The Builders and the Butchers
Chris Stapleton, soul, blues and rock, dressed in country swag.
John Moreland is in they same vein
Jason Isbell is sooo good. Have you checked out his old band, the Drive By Truckers? I can also recommend Brad Paisley for a poppier approach, or the underrated Slobberbone or Seven Mary Three for a darker, rockier edge...
They’re a little bit dated but here are a couple of compilation albums that’ll introduce you to some more Alt Country/Americana type bands:
Check-out The Shivers “Gentle” for a tune!
Also see the Willard Grant Conspiracy, Lullaby for the Working Class and Lambchop.
Bit of Abe Partridge for you
I couldn't decide what Jarrod Dickenson song to link so here's an effectively random one
And on sort of the same theme, some David Ford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gobiBHKgci8
it's such a wide genre to define as country almost tells me nothing. Some of these are ace, some do nothing for me and others are horrific.
Not as horrific as when I accidentally went back past the end of the sports channels on my sky box and happened on
A few from me as another country/Americana fan:
John Moreland (someone mentioned above)
Jeffrey Foucault
William Elliott Whitmore
https://youtu.be/VQ8gHt9pUoM
Heard Steve Earl on Radio 3 and been my ear worm ever since.
It is a bit like Tom Waits country cousin.
Have a listen to The Shires (Bedfordshire’s finest)
for those of us with daughters.
I generally don't like country (would rather stick to UK folk) but Steve Earle is the real deal.
Junior Brown
If we are doinf=g home grown then how about Cambridge's Ezio?
Most of their stuff is much less country than this!
Oh and the Avett Brothers are really good too
Been into country my whole life. But my definition of country I guess.
Id not really class Angel as country (I do love her though):
First Aid Kit being the antithesis of all this broody testosterone:
Gillian’s Boot album is worth checking out (I need to get the three new ones):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnJkYe33sAs
I still love Courtney’s version of Everything is free now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_n3E8vnAfE
Bill Callahan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ur9CaCi-Jg
Bonnie Princ3 Billy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzF09GHuDt0
Some proper old school though:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS5PgYPrB5I
More on the folk side, Meg Baird:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghl-ujyfHC0
Liked Colter Wall, I’ll need to check him out...
Id not really class Angel as country (I do love her though):
Likewise. I find that she is and isn’t depending on song/album. Definitely ploughing her own furro but variously puts me in mind of a wide cast of classic genre-rippers such as Stevie Nicks, Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Kate Bush, maybe Hope Sandoval at times? But quite a few songs certainly have a dark country undertow (especially on latter albums). ‘Alternative country/folk’? She’s great with Bonnie Prince Billy too IME. Had a read of her Pitchfork interview recently and she described herself as ‘this sad cartoon country girl singer’. It’s not often (hardly ever) that I hear new stuff that makes me shut up and listen quite so intently (and then become an immediate fan!j 🙃
She’s great with Bonnie Prince Billy too IME.
Yeah, that’s where I first happened upon her. Wolfroy was probably the last BPB album I truly loved...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1InDxt2Fddk
And that reminds me, Joan Shelley:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iTGQDWTa9Cc
Country Got Soul - Vol 1 is on Spotify
Lyrics in this one are special
Like most normal people I always hated country music with a passion. I then remember the day, back when we still used to buy CD’s, hearing something on 6 music that forced me to don a disguise and walk into HMV on Market Street and in hushed tones ask them where the country section was
Still absolutely love this
Few more?
Kacey Chambers
Lone Justice (Maria McKee)
Brilliant thread, cheers everyone!
Lucinda Wiiliams:
Emmylou Harris:
Flying burrito bros:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma94UIw-CKY
Dan Hicks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkvcunUZXsI
Gillian & OCMS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS2oygw_MTg
Jeffrey Foucault
Never seen Jeffrey play, sadly, but I’ve seen, and met, his missus a number of times, and she’s a wonderful singer and songwriter - I first saw her supporting Erin McEown in Bristol, and she made a big impression on me. Here’s Kris and Jeffrey together...
And Kris sort of on her own...
She mentions her three year old daughter, I saw her in Bristol and London a month before she had the baby! Sadly, she seldom gets to tour over here, she self-funds or crowd-funds her albums, with a label to distribute them, so there’s little money to fund U.K. or European tours. 🙁
Oh, and great to see Emmylou and Maria McKee/Lone Justice here as well.
Chris Country digital radio station is good mix of modern country for background house noise.
Lets not forget The Wonderstuff invented country and western way back in 1989. His is where country started for me, North Bromsgrove High School, in Mr Carricks physics lesson, Georgia played me this tune by her cousins band on her very cool sony walkmen
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CbGDhIprpCY
God help me! I’ve been listening to Country music
God can't reach where you've gone. You're on your own now.
Early Son Volt or Uncle Tupelo might be up your street too..
CountZero - sorry to say I've seen both Jeffrey and Kris twice now, best was up in Edinburgh at Cabaret Voltaire, where they both did halves of each of their respective sets alone and the other half backing each other!
For another one of his, 'One Part Love' always amuses me, an American singing about Newcastle, Gateshead and Durham:
I'm a bit young to have heard any of Lone Justice's stuff when it first came out, first I knew of Maria McKee was the bloody awful 'Show Me Heaven', then a mate put me onto the LJ stuff and I felt much better.
Thought of some more this afternoon; Longbranch Pennywhistle, which was John David Souther and Glenn Frey, the Souther Hillman Furay Band, and JD Souther. Some of those names may be familiar...
Glenn Frey went on to form the Eagles, Richie Furay was in Buffalo Springfield and Poco, Chris Hillman was in The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Manassas, and JD Souther wrote or co-wrote several of The Eagles most popular songs. He also wrote hits for Linda Ronstadt, another country-flavoured singer with a stunning voice. He has also recorded a number of solo albums, Black Rose is a particularly good album, I’ve got the original vinyl from 1976, and the more recent CD. I was lucky enough to see him play at St Bonaventure’s in Bristol, about 200 capacity, and he was just a delight, a really lovely man; when I produced my vinyl copy of Black Rose after the gig, his face lit up, he was chuffed to bits that someone actually owned a copy!
@Pyro - lucky git! I think I’ve seen Kris four or five times, twice on one tour, but for one reason or another I’ve not managed to get to see Jeffrey, and as for the both of them together, well that opportunity has just never happened, sadly, so I’m really jealous!
Adding another one. My Dad listened to both types of music* when I was a kid, and as I got a little older, I thought most of that old stuff was cheesy and rubbish. Then I realised my tastes were gravitating towards more modern versions of the same as I grew up, and I got the chance to see people like Dolly Parton (twice) and Kenny Rogers play live, and realised I was similarly doomed, but that was okay.
The 2013 re-recording of Rhinestone Cowboy confirmed that the old stuff wasn't cheesy, it was just of it's time. Whatever it was written about, the 1975 version sounded to me like a young man paying his dues and dreaming of hitting the big time. The 2013 version sounds like an old man at the end of his career hoping for just one more hit. I know which I prefer, but same song, same artist, totally different meaning, a bit like Johnny Cash and 'Hurt'.
*Country and Western. Thank you Blues Brothers for that gag...
A country thread without Brad paisley, Vince Gill or Keith Urban. A bit like a pop music thread without the Beatles, Madonna or Lady Gaga.
Bookmarked thread. My suggestions Ryan Bingham, Lucinda Williams and Iris Dement
One I hadn't heard of but after it came up on Spotify from the suggestions on here....turnpike troubadours
Agee with those who said the Deep South are great.
For more Americana/Folk Rock/Indie Folk, try The Bottle Rockets, Bruce Cockburn, Thom Chacon, the Handsome Family, Dave Alvin, Jake Xerxes Fussell and Mary Gauthier.