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Alt-Country, Folk Rock, Country Rock . . .

soclosesoclose Posts: 628
edited June 2008 in Other Music
Who wants to name their favorite alt-country/folk rock/country musicians?

I'm in the mood for something more in this "genre" and I'm running out of ideas. Here are some of I bands I like/suggestions for others:

Son Volt / Uncle Tupelo / Jay Farrar
Wilco
The Jayhawks
Whiskeytown / Ryan Adams
Gillian Welch
Kathleen Edwards
Drive-by Truckers
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
The Sadies
Songs: Ohia / Magnolia Electric Co.
Neko Case
Glossary

I'd be especially interested in some lesser known artists as it seems I'm exhausting the list of obvious suggestions.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    todd snider
  • Rhinocerous SurpriseRhinocerous Surprise Posts: 4,423
    Seems every other thread mentions them, but what the hell. Early My Morning Jacket. Up to, and maybe including, It Still Moves.
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    Going back a bit but Townes Van Zandt is excellent.

    You might want to check out Jackson Browne's early albums, For Everyman and Late for the Sky would be good starts. Also, some Bonnie "Prince" Billy/Will Oldham/Palace Music stuff.

    Oh, and a recommendation to everyone on this board but specifically you, check out J. Tillman. His "Minor Works" album in particular. The title track is one of my favourite songs ever. Just beautiful country/folk rock.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • merkinballmerkinball Posts: 2,262
    Lucinda Williams would fit nicely in there. Specifically the Car Wheels on a Gravel Road album as a good starter.
    "You're no help," he told the lime. This was unfair. It was only a lime; there was nothing special about it at all. It was doing the best it could.

    http://www.last.fm/user/merkinball/
    spotify:user:merkinball
  • merkinballmerkinball Posts: 2,262
    Lucinda Williams would fit nicely in there. Specifically the Car Wheels on a Gravel Road album as a good starter.

    Golden Smog is an 'alt-country supergroup' featuring Jeff Tweedy, some of the Jayhawks, and some of Soul Asylum.

    Jenny Lewis has another solo disc coming out this year, hope it's as good as Rabbit Fur Coat.
    "You're no help," he told the lime. This was unfair. It was only a lime; there was nothing special about it at all. It was doing the best it could.

    http://www.last.fm/user/merkinball/
    spotify:user:merkinball
  • intodeepintodeep Posts: 7,240
    soclose wrote:
    Who wants to name their favorite alt-country/folk rock/country musicians?

    I'm in the mood for something more in this "genre" and I'm running out of ideas. Here are some of I bands I like/suggestions for others:

    Son Volt / Uncle Tupelo / Jay Farrar
    Wilco
    The Jayhawks
    Whiskeytown / Ryan Adams
    Kathleen Edwards
    Drive-by Truckers
    Neko Case

    I'm a fan of all of the above.
    Charlotte 00
    Charlotte 03
    Asheville 04
    Atlanta 12
    Greenville 16, Columbia 16
    Seattle 18 
    Nashville 22
    Ohana Festival 24 x2
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    Nickelcreek - NOT Nickelback.
    Kaki King
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • d_bob76d_bob76 Posts: 6
    cracker
  • transplanttransplant Posts: 1,088
    Drivin 'N Cryin are the first band I ever listened to that carried the alt rock/country tag. I think Mystery Road and Wrapped in Sky are fantastic. I also enjoy Kevn Kinney's solo work.
  • LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSunLikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun Posts: 6,097
    Hank III
  • Todd76Todd76 Posts: 1,469
    Sarah Harmer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    incredible songwriter - with the voice of an angel......one of my absolute favs
    In my world everyone is a pony,
    and they all eat rainbows and pooh butterflies!
  • tybirdtybird Posts: 17,388
    Drive-by Truckers!!!!!

    Jason Isbel and the 400 Unit!!!!!

    and Dwight Yoakam
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • YefaYefa Posts: 1,133
    The Bottle Rockets are celebrating their 15 years as a band with shows around the country this year. I'm seeing the June 7 show in NYC.
    http://www.bottlerocketsmusic.com

    The Walkabouts might be the best Seattle band you've never heard. They're huge in Europe.
    http://www.thewalkabouts.com

    Iris DeMent made one of the best albums of the 90s with My Life. Her other three albums are also well worth hearing.
    http://www.irisdement.com

    Timesbold is a unique band worth checking out.
    http://www.timesbold.net

    I've recently gotten into The Dexateens. They're opening some shows for DBT next month and I hope to attend at least one of those.
    http://www.dexateens.net

    Centro-matic/South San Gabriel/Will Johnson
    Centro-matic and SSG will release a double album soon called Dual Hawks. I've seen Centro-matic 4 times and they do great shows.
    http://www.centro-matic.com
    You see me empty, Sir, do not pause and inquire, simply assume and refill.
    - Al Swearengen

    http://www.cantstoptheserenity.com
  • merkinballmerkinball Posts: 2,262
    The Drams are worth checking out too. They rose from the ashes of Slobberbone, and are another band that is good friends with the DBT. The album Jubilee Dive had some excellent tracks on it.

    Also Grateful Dead circa Workingman's Dead & American Beauty are some excellent examples of early alt-country.
    "You're no help," he told the lime. This was unfair. It was only a lime; there was nothing special about it at all. It was doing the best it could.

    http://www.last.fm/user/merkinball/
    spotify:user:merkinball
  • soclosesoclose Posts: 628
    Cosmo wrote:
    Nickelcreek - NOT Nickelback.
    Kaki King

    I've been meaning to check out Nickelcreek for a few years. They've parted ways, haven't they? I'm always late to the party!


    Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

    I'll back up the mentions for Golden Smog, Lucinda Williams, Townes Van Zandt and My Morning Jacket (to a certain extent) - forgot to put those on my list.
  • soclosesoclose Posts: 628
    merkinball wrote:
    Also Grateful Dead circa Workingman's Dead & American Beauty are some excellent examples of early alt-country.

    Someone I know was supposed to introduce me to the Dead but he hasn't pulled through. I may have to do it on my own. I'll keep those albums in mind.
  • mrwalkerbmrwalkerb Posts: 1,015
    I really dig two cow garage, they're a little more rock though so maybe not totally what you're looking for but thier album from last year Three is just astounding.

    also there is this band called Richmond Fontaine:
    http://www.myspace.com/richmondfontaine

    I only have the one album Post to Wire but it's amazing.
    "I'm not suicidal, except when I drink. That's why we don't all drink at the same time, there'd be no-one alive to drive home..."
    Chris Cornell

    http://www.myspace.com/mrwalkerb
  • soclosesoclose Posts: 628
    mrwalkerb wrote:
    also there is this band called Richmond Fontaine:
    http://www.myspace.com/richmondfontaine

    I only have the one album Post to Wire but it's amazing.

    THAT sounds like what I'm looking for. I'm ordering a copy right now. Thanks for the suggestion!
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    Some of my all-time faves:

    Sarah Harmer
    Wilco
    Son Volt
    Uncle Tupelo
    Cuff the Duke
    Drive-By Truckers
    Kathleen Edwards
    Steve Earle
    Neko Case
    Johnny Cash
    Daniel Lanois
    Blue Rodeo
    Skydiggers
    The Jayhawks
    Lucinda Williams
    Golden Smog
    Dan Bern
    Cracker
    The Black Crowes
    Emmylou Harris
    The Damnations
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    Blabbermouth:

    http://www.myspace.com/therealblabbermouth
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    cutback wrote:
    todd snider

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WwmQfPGHTk

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv8y4oh00xs

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVoZ3kz46Xc

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfwbJ0IK8KY

    :D
  • pearljam_addictionpearljam_addiction Posts: 668
    My Morning Jacket
    "I Will Scream my Lungs out 'til it fills this Room "

    " I Will Feel Alive as Long as I am Free"

    "Are We Getting SomeThing Out Of this All Encompassing Trip? Makes Much More Sense To Live In The Present Tense"

    www.myspace.com/ehoff12982
  • Tek MoneyTek Money Posts: 642
    Old Crow Medicine Show

    Sarah Harmer

    Ween (their country album)

    Wayne Omaha

    Great Lake Swimmers
    Cock Fight.
  • YefaYefa Posts: 1,133
    Caroline Herring
    http://www.myspace.com/carolineherring

    Dar Williams
    http://www.myspace.com/darwilliams
    You see me empty, Sir, do not pause and inquire, simply assume and refill.
    - Al Swearengen

    http://www.cantstoptheserenity.com
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    Tek Money wrote:
    Great Lake Swimmers

    Damn, can't believe I forgot to mention those guys. Great band.
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    gram parsons
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • oldermanolderman Posts: 1,765
    Steve Earle

    and from back in 'the day'

    Gram Parsons
    The Byrds
    Poco
    Flying Burrito Brothers
    New Riders Of The Purple Sage
    Grateful Dead

    and the most commercially successful was

    The Eagles (they played some VERY country stuff)
    Down the street you can hear her scream youre a disgrace
    As she slams the door in his drunken face
    And now he stands outside
    And all the neighbours start to gossip and drool
    He cries oh, girl you must be mad,
    What happened to the sweet love you and me had?
    Against the door he leans and starts a scene,
    And his tears fall and burn the garden green
  • oldermanolderman Posts: 1,765
    catefrances wrote:
    gram parsons

    cate beat me to it...

    Gram Parsons
    Down the street you can hear her scream youre a disgrace
    As she slams the door in his drunken face
    And now he stands outside
    And all the neighbours start to gossip and drool
    He cries oh, girl you must be mad,
    What happened to the sweet love you and me had?
    Against the door he leans and starts a scene,
    And his tears fall and burn the garden green
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    olderman wrote:
    ...

    and the most commercially successful was

    The Eagles (they played some VERY country stuff)


    indeed they did. they used to always give me that peaceful easy feeling. :D


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLEAmRirJqA
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • oldermanolderman Posts: 1,765
    catefrances wrote:
    indeed they did. they used to always give me that peaceful easy feeling. :D


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLEAmRirJqA

    'and I want to sleep with you in the desert tonite'

    who can resist?

    hi cate
    Down the street you can hear her scream youre a disgrace
    As she slams the door in his drunken face
    And now he stands outside
    And all the neighbours start to gossip and drool
    He cries oh, girl you must be mad,
    What happened to the sweet love you and me had?
    Against the door he leans and starts a scene,
    And his tears fall and burn the garden green
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