Posts Tagged Country
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April 15, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 52: Waylon Jennings – “Honky Tonk Heroes”
Funny that I’d never heard this album because I’m a Waylon Jennings fan – and also, about 15-20 years ago I got pretty hooked on country and in particular the whole outlaw movement, of which this album is key. I also got right into Billy Joe Shaver’s works – as a writer, in particular – […]Archive
March 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 44: John Prine – “John Prine”
John Prine – class act. Songwriter’s songwriter. I feel like everyone knows this. Or should. Some don’t – but then they’ll know some of his songs at least. Like Sam Stone, famously covered by many and perhaps in particular Johnny Cash. But the original is here. This is Prine’s first album and I say all […]Archive
January 19, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 27: Loretta Lynn – “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind”
Of all the artists/albums I’ve covered in this series so far, and along with Elvis Presley and perhaps Dusty Springfield, I’m most familiar with the work of Loretta Lynn. I’ve heard plenty of her records, I have a few. I like a lot. But…I hadn’t ever heard this one. I knew the song already. And […]Archive
January 15, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 25: Merle Haggard & The Strangers – “I’m A Lonesome Fugitive”
Like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and – really – just a small handful of others Merle Haggard was the perfect mix of brilliant ability and kick-arse back-story. I was a fan long before I really knew much of his work. As a retailer, called on to recommend great country artists he was always a name […]Archive
December 14, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 94 – Adam McGrath (The Eastern)
Welcome to episode 94 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. I had a terrific chat with Adam McGrath of The Eastern. Adam is also a solo artist – with his debut solo record due out early next year. But for the last half-decade and more he’s been the frontman […]Archive
November 7, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Margo Price: All American Made
Margo Price All American Made Third Man Records Just as Janet Frame released To The Is-Land as a volume of her autobiography and then Owls Do Cry as fiction – the two linked, and it could even be argued that there’s more truth in her fiction, more creativity in her alleged non-fiction, the same sort […]Archive
October 20, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Margo Price: Weakness (ep)
Margo Price Weakness (ep) Third Man Records I haven’t been this excited about a ‘new country’-type artist since first hearing Neko Case; there’s a touch of that early Neko Case sound on Just Like Love, one of four songs here on Margo Price’s new (stopgap) EP. By the time you read this she’ll have released […]Archive
October 18, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Alison Krauss: Windy City
Alison Krauss Windy City Capitol Windy City isn’t the best album Alison Krauss has made – and there are a small handful of precious gems to consider already. But it’s a timely, warm reminder that she’s one of the best pure singers and a wonderful song-interpreter. And sometimes that’s all you need. And so it […]Archive
September 24, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
David Rawlings: Poor David’s Almanack
David Rawlings Poor David’s Almanack Acony Records A new David Rawlings record is a chance for Gillian Welch fans to celebrate – just as any Gillian Welch album means some dynamic, earthy, wonderful playing from David Rawlings; so deep is their connection, their collaboration, that you almost have to like both of them, even if […]Archive
September 20, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 11: Ray Price – “Night Life”
It’s all sounding a bit broken-record I know, but yet again I knew of Ray Price and have heard some songs – but I can’t remember ever sitting down to hear a Ray Price album, and I never would have – I’m sure – were it not for this self-inflicted challenge. And what an album – […]Archive
August 10, 2017 by Simon Sweetman