Oh this is going to be fun. Country Rock, Americana, Roots Rock, Southern Rock, there are many different names for a style that really shouldn't have a name. It's not one genre so much as a feel or sound. I'm sure everyone has their own opinion of what constitutes 'Country Rock' so all I can do is put forward my personal take on it. Hope you like it.
1. Can't You See - Marshall Tucker Band
I had an early introduction to this as a family friend worked for Capricorn records, to which the Marshall Tucker band were signed. We therefore had a lot of Capricorn albums kicking about. This was the opening track on side one and it really grabbed me. The soft/hard dynamics of it. It's a country ballad with rock guitars and flute. It really shouldn't work but does. It's also great fun to play live.
2. Over My Shoulder - The Jayhawks
Tomorrow The Green Grass is such a great record. It's got the sound that I've always heard in my head. The producer was George Drakoulias who was also responsible for the first few Black Crowes records so I guess I can lay the blame for the sound in my head squarely at his door.
The Jayhawks had such a great organic quality. It was indie, it was country, it was rock, it was really good stuff.
3. Real Live Broken Fingers & Broken Guitar Strings - Lucinda Williams
My younger sister and I have both worshipped at the altar of Ms. Williams for a great many years. There is something brilliantly tough and bruised about her writing. She also has a knack for finding kick-ass musicians to give her songs the requisite balls. This song just sounds like she couldn't give a fuck but really needs to tell someone anyway. It has the awesome Doug Pettibone on guitar which gives it huge bonus points. Dig when that tremolo pedal kicks in :)
4. Free To Go - Neal Casal
A hugely underrated singer and songwriter who spends most of his time as a sideman nowadays. This is from way back when he first started out and his love of all things Laurel Canyon shines through. The pedal steel and Hammond organ combination give it such a great vibe. You'd never guess it was recorded in the mid 90s.
5. Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
A lot of people argue that the Gram Parsons version is better (strangely no one ever argues the case for the Susan Boyle version) but as far as I'm concerned this is still the definitive take. Jagger's vocal is totally on point, Mick Taylor sprinkles the song in countryfied guitar fairy dust, and the rhythm section are just the right side of falling apart. Just like all the best Stones songs. The fact that so many country artists have subsequently covered it tells you how completely right the Stones got it.
6. Thank You Girl - John Hiatt
John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner and Nick Lowe. Now that right there is a fucking band. This is such a great fun track from one of my favourite albums. I almost went for 'Tip Of My Tongue' but I figured this list needed a few more upbeat songs. If you don't own this album, you really owe it to yourself to seek a copy out. I promise you won't be disappointed.
7. Calico County - Steve Earle
I really like Steve's later stuff and this particular track is a belter. I think his voice has got better with age. It sounds like he really knows what he's talking about. It's got venom and I totally dig that. The guitars sound like they were recorded in someones garage. It's the sound of a band having great fun with a simple riff.
8. Let There Be Rock - Drive-By Truckers
A brilliant story song with a killer riff. If anyone wants to know what modern southern rock sounds like, just play them this. The Truckers have a superb back catalogue and are highly prolific. Every one of their albums has a few absolute gems on it and this one (Southern Rock Opera) has more than most. It's one of those songs that when it finishes, you immediately want to put on again.
9. Dont Wanna Know Why - Whiskeytown
Lovely harmonies and counter melodies on this one. A real shame that Whiskeytown never got the recognition they deserved. Their albums are a gold-mine of great songs. Their arrangements were always spot on and they didn't seem to care about fitting in to any genre. I'm gutted that I never got to see them live. One can only hope for a reunion one day.
10. Midnight Rider - Allman Brothers Band
This is such a cool song. What a groove. Duane and Dickey sound absolutely perfect on the guitars and the vocals just float on top. It's impossible to listen to this without imagining driving along with the top down and some big sky above you. Duane Allman was one of the greatest losses to music and especially guitar since Hendrix. God knows what he would have gone on to do had he lived more than his meagre 24 years.
Honorable mentions to...
Drunken Poets Dream - Ray Wylie Hubbard
Everyone should know who Ray is. He's one of the great troubadours of American music. His lyrics are funny, sad, honest and heartbreaking and usually all in the space of one song. Another great example of tight'n'sloppy playing. It sounds like the band could fall apart at any moment but you know that's exactly what they want you to think.
Straight To Hell - Hard Working Americans
This is a cover of a tune by another great southern band Drivin N Cryin. I really like Todd Snider's voice on this. It's a pretty simple three chord tune but the lyrics are great and the band really make the most of it. The live version is an absolute peach.
I've made a Spotify playlist of all the songs I've talked about in these recent blog entries. Please go and have a listen and let me know what you think.
https://open.spotify.com/user/milospilo/playlist/0yjKElH3UbGkCcKmfzEVPC
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