MetaFilter posts tagged with countrymusic

Bradley Walker

BitterOldPunk — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:17:05 -0800

Perhaps the greatest country baritone since George Jones is confined to a wheelchair by muscular dystrophy and has a day job at a nuclear power plant. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Bradley Walker. But it ain't all slow mournful stuff like "When I'm Hurtin'" -- Bradley can straight-up tear it up, too. Here's the video for the single "A Little Change" off Walker's excellent 2008 release "Highway of Dreams" (link goes to NPR audio review). Here's Bradley covering Merle Haggard's "Back to the Barrooms". And here's a somewhat mawkish video bio put together by his record company. WARNING: This post contains unapologetic, unironic, heartfelt country music that may contain sentiments about Jesus, patriotism, and other topics that may run counter to prevailing MetaFilter opinions. It also features poor audio quality, shaky amateur video, and blatant boosterism for a performing artist that I like. I am aware that almost everything I like does, in fact, suck.

"I'll be glad when I'm not still the only one."

ocherdraco — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:01:32 -0800

Alice Randall is best known, perhaps, for her novel The Wind Done Gone, a parody of Gone With the Wind that tackles the earlier book's treatment of race. But Randall, a Vanderbilt professor and Harvard graduate, isn't just a novelist: she's a country music songwriter, the first black woman to have a No. 1 song on the country music charts. Randall's work, whether it's her novels or her music, often explores the African-American experience in unexpected ways,* and is filled with copious literary allusions. Her second novel, Pushkin and the Queen of Spades, about an African-American professor of Russian literature whose son, Pushkin, disappoints her by becoming, of all things, a football player, echoes The Godfather with its opening line, "LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY BOY!" and her song "Many Mansions" is probably the only country music song to open with a line from a poem by Emily Dickinson. Another song is called "A Hundred Years of Solitude" after the novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Randall is a rarity in the world of country music, which has been called the de facto "soundtrack of white flight," both for who she is and for the subjects of her songs. She's written a song about a man who got lynched between his wedding and his reception ("The Ballad of Sally Anne"), and songs ("I'll Cry for Yours, Will You Cry for Mine?" and "Went for a Ride," respectively) about slave and Confederate dead in the Civil War and about black cowboys in the Old West (referenced in this bio). Beyond just writing songs, Randall teaches about the artform: she has a course called "Country Music Lyrics in American Culture" and co-wrote a book of playlists to guide listeners through the genre. *I'd just like to point out that this is my favorite link in the whole post, a meaty interview at identity theory.

The Opry Has Sinned

Knappster — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:57:32 -0800

"The Reinstate Hank campaign calls for the remittal of Opry star, and country music legend, Hank Williams." Booted for boozing in 1952, Hank died before he could be readmitted to the Grand Ole Opry. Grandson Hank III is leading the charge for his reinstatement, alleging that the Opry "ain't so grand anymore" (NSFW). 32,000 people have signed the petition. One problem: The Opry has only living members. Hank live at the Opry:

Pfft! You Was Gone

Knappster — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:44:29 -0800

What began as a gospel song became Archie Campbell's signature song on Hee Haw, with the help of Gordie Tapp and some surprise celebrity guests.

The day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA

flapjax at midnite — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:29:33 -0800

Sometimes, when you've had your fill of people basking in the golden light of their self-righteous indignation, you just wanna hear a song about somebody telling those holier-than-thou-ers where to get off. Something like, say, Harper Valley PTA. Here's Jeannie C. in another performance of the song, a stylish (very sixties) B&W version, from a TV spot. Here's the lyrics. Too young to remember Peyton Place, referenced in the last verse? See here, here and here. And how 'bout those gold boots and matching minidress Jeannie C. was sporting in that live clip, eh? Couldn't help but remind me of Nancy Sinatra in similar attire, performing (what else?) These Boots Are Made for Walking, from 1966. When Harper Valley PTA (written by Tom T. Hall) was released in 1968, it hit #1 on both the Billboard country AND pop charts, which was an historical first. Read all about it! Jeannie C. Riley Wikipedia page and her official website. Dolly Parton's cover version. Country great Loretta Lynn has covered this song as well, but I couldn't find her version on the web. Here she is with Jeannie C. Riley, though, doing Don't Come Home a'Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind) . The Riley Wikipedia page mentions her battles with depression. There's a bit more on that here. NOTE: FPP wording lifted wholesale from flashboy's MeTa comment here. Thanks, flashboy!

4 a.m. Jump

1f2frfbf — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:33:56 -0800

It's 3 a.m., on some date in 1975, the white line is wavering in front of your amphetamine bleached eyes, your rig is barreling through the high plains north of nowhere and you won't see your woman for three more days, what 8-track do you need to get you through the night? Why, Country Porn, of course.
Linked page is mostly safe for work, but NSFW audio files, and some text Why is this notable? Chinga Chavin only released this one record, and it was released on Penthouse Records (NSFW), no less. Raunchy trucker country from when country wasn't necessarily pretty.

Grievous Angel

madamjujujive — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:56:37 -0800

Gram Parsons fans take note - there's a recent new biography and a release of 90 minutes of vintage Flying Burrito Brothers. Some rare footage has also recently surfaced online: performing with FBB and duets with Emmylou Harris 1, 2, 3. Other items of note: Emmylou talks about Gram in 2000; British biographical sketch; Keith Richards on Gram in Rolling Stone; an interview with Manuel, the designer of the famous Nudie suit. Prior mefi post by transient with much biographical info. Obit post by keswick for Sneaky Pete Kleinow - Flying Burrito Brothers steel guitarist extraordinaire who died last year Trailer for Fallen Angel, documentary about Gram's life. Emmylou's career after Gram's death 1962 Gram singing Rip It Up with the Legends - sound and photo only Free Parsons downloads offered by Amoeba NYT review of the new Gram biography Prior mefi post on Manolo by IndigoJones - the man who tailored Gram's famous suit Hickory Wind - 1975, performed by Emmylou Harris Hickory Wind - performed by Keith Richards at the Gram Parsons Tribute Concert

You Can't Go Wrong With Chimps on a Burro.

Bookhouse — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:12:04 -0800

El Paso. The lovely ballad of love and murder on the Mexican border won the very first Grammy for Country & Western for Marty Robbins in 1960. But for some it will never feel complete without Steve Martin's video, in which he recreates the lyrics with some non-union actors. If Steve Martin harshes your mellow, feel free to watch Marty singing it with some guys in matching shirts.

The Delmore Brothers: early C&W pioneers.

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:10:59 -0800

The Delmore Brothers, hailing from north Alabama and active from 1926 to 1952, were an early country and western duo that married effortlessly relaxed (but very polished) harmonies with soulful country-boogie blues. Bob Dylan said of them: "The Delmore Brothers, God, I really loved them! I think they've influenced every harmony I've ever tried to sing." They're sure worth some listens, y'all.

Stringbean. And his banjo. And those pants.

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:53:04 -0800

For lovers of old-time, mountain banjo styles and songs, Roscoe Holcomb and Dock Boggs are revered figures. To many, however, plucker and singer David Akeman remains uncelebrated or unknown, even by his stage name of Stringbean. Is it because he was for a time actually famous as a country music showbiz staple, and therefore lacks folk cred? Or maybe the purists just can't get with those low-hanging pants the man was known for, his original hillbilly homeboy styling? Or was it cause on any given tune his left hand would likely be off the neck of the banjo more than on it? Whatever the reason, it's time folks took a new look at Stringbean. After all, the lines between folk and commercial styles have always been blurry in American music. Let's hear it for Stringbeeeeeeeaaan! Pssst... there are actually TWO Stringbean pages at MySpace, one of which I just discovered upon completion of this FPP. All the YouTube clips I've linked to are (I think) embedded here on this page! And there are record jackets and such here that I've seen nowhere else. However, the MySpace page that I first linked to in the main part of this FPP is the one with 4 songs, as opposed to only one on this page I've just discovered. Anyway, the more the merrier. Here's the other one!

Straight to Hell

nola — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:54:04 -0800

Do you have a hard time relating to popular country music? Hank III is doing his best to play country music the way he thinks it should be. Not everyone likes him, but he drives some folks wild. Some youtube links to live shows NSFW Straight to Hell One Horse Town

I Can't Help It - My Boner Won't Go Down!

jonson — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:00:43 -0800

Apparently the lead singer from Tool has had sex with many of the luminaries of Country Music. All this sex seems to take place in Maynerd's side project, Puscifer. In his main band, he's too busy writing tunes based on the fibonacci sequence. That is, when he's not wrestling his fans to the ground & sitting on them.

Goodbye John , goodbye Martin, goodbye Bobby

nola — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:56:08 -0800

For your consideration, "Six White horses" [youtube] As footnote to the events of November 22, 1963 . April 4, 1968 . June 5, 1968. A collection of photos and a recording of Tommy Cash's "Six White Horses" , which was writen by Larry Murray.

We listened to the birds and tried to sing along.

1f2frfbf — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:20:36 -0800

The DeZurik Sisters committed only six songs to record during their recording career, but were the first women stars of the Grand Ole Opry and the National Barn Dance. Now WFMU has 32 tracks of theirs from their early appearance as The Cackle Sisters on the Purina Checkerboard Squares Radio Show. Download away and hear the yodeling that swept the nation in the early 40s.

Sandy Belle wants the troops home

commander_cool — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 23:43:41 -0800

A song about bringing the soldiers home from Iraq. Defies commentary. YouTubers don't seem to get the joke. The Garance has background details.

All the Joy the World Contains

crowman — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 18:55:09 -0800

Wayward country son Jimmy Dale Gilmore's essay via NPR A little post-feast reflection. Real/WMP audio and text.

Keeping up with the pulse of the country (or, Which Way is the Wind Blowing)

The Gooch — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 08:55:32 -0800

Smart marketing or shameless pandering? Country music star Darryl Worley played to the largely conservative county music fanbase (and post-9/11 ultra-patriotic sentiment prevalent in the country at the time) in 2003 with his hit Have You Forgotten which strongly supported the impending war in Iraq. Today, with support for the war in Iraq dwindling, Worley has now released, “I Just Came Back”, which depicts a more ”somber light on (the) war”.

Bread and Circuses, 9/11 Style

digaman — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 13:52:32 -0800

You can't make this stuff up: Rumsfeld announces that the Bush administration is planning to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with an "America Supports You freedom walk" from the Pentagon saluting the troops deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, followed by a show by "country music superstar" Clint Black at the National Mall. (Not to imply that Saddam Hussein had anything to do with 9/11 or anything...)

Reframing for dems. (and a cool filter)

Tlogmer — Wed, 16 Mar 2005 05:16:03 -0800

The country music of the atom bomb. Via 3 Quarks Daily

Why cant I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart

arse_hat — Fri, 31 Dec 2004 22:27:36 -0800

goodbye joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh. 01/01/53 the true gran-daddy of white rock and roll is found dead in the back seat of a caddy.

I know they'll tell about the night I died

GrahamVM — Fri, 19 Sep 2003 06:30:48 -0800

Slim Dusty - Australian country music icon - passes on. You know him - "There's nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear, than to stand in the bar of the pub with no beer."

You be Emmylou, and I'll be Gram

transient — Fri, 19 Sep 2003 04:55:27 -0800

Today is the 30th anniversary of the death of Gram Parsons (famous, of course, for the corpse's subsequent adventures). Read a long bio starting here, a small interview, or page through one of his notebooks and the guestbook that sits in his last hotel room.

Goodbye Mr. Cash

SuzySmith — Fri, 12 Sep 2003 03:20:28 -0800

The man in black is no more. Johnny Cash passes away from diabetes complications early this morning.

Country Music Song Titles

Carlos Quevedo — Mon, 09 Jun 2003 18:42:29 -0800

Laugh as much as you like: I still think there's a certain intensely dramatic and lyrical redneck technique behind these country music song titles. I like a song title that says everything upfront. It's not as easy as you think, either. [Via Bifurcated Rivets]

June Carter Cash

transient — Fri, 16 May 2003 11:28:06 -0800

I'm in the middle of a book called Will you miss me when I'm gone?, which chronicles the history of the famous Carter Family, and includes some incredibly charming descriptions of June Carter (later the wife of Johnny Cash; the development of her musical voice, her mountain-tinted wit, and her onstage goofball comedy. Unfortunately, June Carter Cash died yesterday.