Settin’ The Woods On Fire: A Dozen Essential Country Albums

“After about three lessons the voice teacher said, ‘Don’t take voice lessons. Do it your way.’” – Johnny Cash

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Country music is essentially white blues. Or if you prefer, the blues are black country music. Back in the early 1900’s everybody – black and white – was busy singing what were called folk songs, if they were called anything at all. But with the advent of sheet music and the gramophone, music needed to be categorized for public consumption, thus Country vs. Blues. Certainly these strains of music became quite distinct over time, but it’s a fact that they both came from the same wellspring of popular music.

I have to remind myself of that, because in general I enjoy the blues and don’t care much for country music. At its worst, country is repetitive, boring, and simplistic. And while this is true of any genre, country music seems to encourage its worst tendencies more than any other strain of music this side of hip-hop. But fear not, my pessimism serves a good purpose here: these 12 albums (in no particular order) are proof that you don’t have to be a fan of ten gallon hats and horses to appreciate some of country music’s brightest stars…

Various Artists * The Bristol Sessions – This is nothing less than the Big Bang of country music. During the summer of 1927, the Victor Talking Machine Company placed an open call for musicians in the area of Bristol, TN. The turnout featured not only future country music Hall-Of-Famers Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, but a host of lesser known performers that helped establish the sound that would become country, and then bluegrass. Be sure to hunt down the two-disc version of this set, which features at least one song by every performer that turned out for the Victor audition.

Patsy Cline * The Ultimate Collection – In many ways, Patsy Cline and Billie Holiday were kindred spirits. They both had troubled romantic lives that spilled over into their music, both died much too young, and both had swinging voices that were overshadowed by their more distraught musical moments. That’s why a good compilation of Patsy Cline songs provides such a refreshing listen. The lesser-known tunes illuminate the range of her talent, and show an artist of remarkable touch. That said, most of this is about love lost, and should be taken in appropriate doses.

Buck Owens * All-Time Greatest Hits Volume 1 – Buck Owens helped popularize the Bakersfield strain of country music, which brought electric guitar into the fold, and established a template that artists like Merle Haggard would follow to multiple number ones. Owens’ long running association with the television show Hee-Haw may have diminished his appeal for a generation of fans, but his songs sound surprisingly muscular and remarkably honest among a universe of wannabe cowboys.

Whiskeytown * Strangers Almanac – Before you disparage this new-school selection, keep in mind that Ryan Adams and company can evoke the loneliness of an empty parking lot or a broken television set in a way that few artists – country or not – can touch. Call it alt.country or Americana (whatever), but Whiskeytown made music with the kind of infectious jangle and bare-bones pathos that few artists this side of Hank Williams can touch with a broomstick.

Johnny Cash * American Recordings – With this 1994 release, Johnny Cash became relevant for a new generation of fans. Featuring songs written by a wide range of artists, including Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, and Glenn Danzig, American Recordings features a heaping helping of Cash’s favorite topics: murder, love, and god. His early recordings, admirably collected on The Sun Years, are indispensable, but this is the place to begin for any rock fan trying to get religion with JC.

Willie Nelson * Red Headed Stranger – In 1975, stark, simple country albums like this just didn’t get made. The prevailing trends in Nashville at that time included strings, slick production, and radio friendly arrangements, and Red Headed Stranger sounds like a demo tape compared to its contemporaries. Willie Nelson fought his label to get this album released in all its sparse glory, and Columbia’s begrudging trust in him was rewarded with a #1 album and all-time classic.

Ernest Tubb * Favorites – “Country music personified” is how AllMusic.com concisely describes this country legend. E.T. rode his 1943 hit ‘Walking The Floor Over You’ to stardom and never looked back, becoming a fixture on the Grand Ole Opry and opening his famous, self-titled Nashville record store. Tubb’s voice has a lilt that he uses to draw out certain syllables, twisting the meaning of his words, and making him sound every bit like a guy who’s down in the dumps, but trying real hard not to be.

The Stanley Brothers * The Complete Columbia Stanley Brothers (1949-52) – Ralph and Carter Stanley comprised one of the handful of bands – along with Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs – that helped transform mountain music into bluegrass. Carter passed away in 1966, but before his death, these brothers created music of remarkable simplicity and beauty. Ralph Stanley would go on to become a bluegrass legend, but the recordings that he made with his late brother still stand as his best.

Flatt & Scruggs * ‘Tis Sweet To Be Remembered – Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs helped define the sound of bluegrass when they played in Bill Monroe’s band, but once they broke out on their own, they helped popularize its sound in ways that even Monroe must have envied. ‘Tis Sweet To Be Remembered captures the best sides that Flatt & Scruggs made for Columbia Records during their prime. These are vital recordings that belong in the collection of any serious music fan, country or not.

The Flying Burrito Brothers * The Gilded Palace Of Sin – The Flying Burrito Brothers created country music that appealed to the Flower Power generation, and helped establish the sound of country rock. Gram Parson’s songwriting, including ‘Sin City’ ‘Christine’s Tune’ and ‘Wheels’ showed that there was plenty of gold left to be mined from the country idiom, and secret weapon ‘Sneaky’ Pete Kleinow makes his pedal steel guitar weep throughout. Much more than just an exercise in hybridizing genres, The Gilded Palace Of Sin is real country music that still cuts deep.

Bill Monroe * 16 Gems – Bill Monroe not only invented bluegrass in the 1940’s with his band The Blue Grass Boys, he also mentored many of the brightest stars within that sub-genre, including Flatt & Scruggs, Carter Stanley, and Vassar Clements. Monroe’s high-pitched voice and blazing mandolin became hallmarks of the bluegrass sound, and 16 Gems includes most of the classic sides that made him a star. Monroe toured extensively until his death in 1996, spreading the sound of his music to all corners of the country, ensuring that bluegrass would outlive its father.

Hank Williams * The Complete Hank Williams – To this day, Hank Williams is the greatest star to appear on the country music scene. He also happens to be one of the greatest songwriters to work in any genre – he created a truckload of classic songs that can still move grown men to tears. Williams’ life was filled with pills and booze, bad marriages, and physical ailments that left him in constant pain. His genius is that he took the troubles of his short life and turned them into art of the highest order. If you want to hear real musical brilliance, look no further than Hank Williams.

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And 20 More That Throw A Spark…

The Louvin Brothers * Satan Is Real
Steve Earle * I Feel Alright
Ray Price * Greatest Hits
Charlie Rich * Behind Closed Doors
Red Meat * Meet Red Meat
Lefty Frizell * Greatest Hits
Roy Acuff * Greatest Hits
Merle Haggard * HAG: The Best Of
Alison Krauss * Now That I’ve Found You: The Best Of
Lee Hazlewood * The Many Sides Of Lee
Loretta Lynn * The Pill
Old & In The Way * Old & In The Way
George Jones * The Spirit Of Country: The Essential
Guy Clark * Old No. 1
Slaid Cleaves * Wishbones
The Flatlanders * The Flatlanders
Tony Joe White * Tony Joe White
Fred Eaglesmith * Lipstick, Lies & Gasoline
Kris Kristofferson * Kristofferson
Wanda Jackson * Queen Of Rockabilly

Tags: Bill Monroe, Buck Owens, country music, Ernest Tubb, Flatt & Scruggs, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Stanley Brothers, Whiskeytown, Willie Nelson