Tag Archives: country

Country, folk, Singer Songwriter

September 6: Buddy Miller was born in 1952

Buddy Miller

 

September 6: Buddy Miller was born in 1952

A showman’s life is a smokey bar and
The fevered chase of a tiny star
It’s a hotel room and a lonely wife
From what I’ve seen of a showman’s life

Nobody told me about this part
They told me all about the pretty girls and the wine and
The money and the good times
No mention of all the wear and tear on an old honkey-tonker’s heart
Well, I might have known it
But nobody told me about this part
~”A Showman’s life” (one of his best songs)

“A good song can take a steel guitar, no matter where it comes from, I think about songs this way: I’d love to sing that song, whatever band is playing it. Great songs transcend.”
~Buddy Miller

“When you hear Buddy or watch him play, there’s a magnetic quality that draws you to his music.
~Jim Lauderdale

A Showman’s Life:

Continue reading September 6: Buddy Miller was born in 1952 →

Country, George Jones, Great albums, Music Calendar

September: George Jones released I am what I am in 1980

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Sierra Exif JPEG

September: George Jones released I am what I am in 1980

I love the voice of George Jones, and today we present his best album, I am What I am. It was released September 1980 on Epic Records label, then on July 4, 2000 this album was re–released with bonus tracks on the Legacy Recordings label. It peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and number 132 on the Pop Albums chart. I Am What I Am went Gold in 1981 and Platinum in 1983. We can not find the exact release date, but September it is.

Merle Haggard wrote in Rolling Stone magazine that “His voice was like a Stradivarius violin: one of the greatest instruments ever made.” This was never more true than on this classic country release.

When George Jones was divorced from Tammy Wynette in 1975, he went on an epic binge, an excess in cocaine and alcohol. His albums continued to sell ok and his singles were on the charts, he actually recorded some of his most popular songs between 1975 and 1980, but George was a wreck on a personal level.

He started cancelling concerts in large numbers and he got the un-flattering nick name, “No Show Jones”. George Jones went into rehab at a psychiatric hospital in Muscle Shoals. Thank God for that, it was the start of what would be his best record. It is a dark album, full of heartbreak and drinking, good melodies and the velvet voice of the restrained, but strong Mr. Jones.

George Jones – If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (1982) :

“I Am What I Am announced that George Jones had officially returned to form artistically and, in the process, it became his biggest hit album ever. It’s easy to see why — the production is commercial without being slick, the songs are balanced between aching ballads and restrained honky tonk numbers, and Jones gives a nuanced, moving performance. “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “I’m Not Ready Yet,” and “If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)” were the hits, but the remaining seven album tracks are exceptionally strong, without a weak track in the bunch.” – Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic)

That is so true, all tracks are very good (not just the three hit singles!). This album is the sound of George Jones at his peak and it’s the highlight of his later years.

George Jones – He stopped loving her today (live, 1 July 1980, Canada):

George Jones – I am What I am on Spotify:

 

…and he has one of the best shirts in country music history on the cover!

– Hallgeir

Country, Kris Kristofferson, Music Calendar

August 24: Kris Kristofferson released The Austin Sessions in 1999

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Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,
And nothin’ ain’t worth nothin’ but it’s free,
Feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

For us this album contains ultimate versions of many of Kris’s best songs. Not many music writers seems to agree… too bad, because if you really listen to this album you will get it. This is the way these songs are supposed to sound, stripped down and sung with all of his big heart & soul.

 

Continue reading August 24: Kris Kristofferson released The Austin Sessions in 1999 →

Country, Singer Songwriter

August 21: Kacey Musgraves was born in 1988 – Happy birthday
Photo from kaceymusgraves.com
Photo from kaceymusgraves.com

August 21: Kacey Musgraves was born in 1988 – Happy birthday

Kacey Lee Musgraves (born August 21, 1988) is an American singer. She self-released three albums before appearing on the fifth season of the USA Network’s singing competition Nashville Star in 2007, where she placed seventh. She signed to Mercury Nashville in 2012 and has released two critically acclaimed albums on the label, Same Trailer Different Park (2013) and Pageant Material (2015).

Musgraves is known for her controversial lyrics in the conservative country music genre. Common controversial topics in her music are homosexuality acceptance, promiscuous sexual intercourse, recreational marijuana use, and anti-religious sentiment. Such aforementioned topics are almost unheard of in mainstream country music. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Musgraves faced criticism for her rebellious lyrics. “I think throwing the rebel card out there is really cheap,” she said. “The things I’m singing about are not controversial to me, I don’t push buttons to push buttons. I talk about things that have made an impression on me that a lot of people everywhere are going through.”

Follow your arrow, great song about prejudice:

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Billy Joe Shaver, Country

August 16: Happy 76th birthday Billy Joe Shaver

billy joe shaver

‘Cause movin’s in my soul, i guess a gypsy boy got a hold
Of somebody in my family long ago
If some night while half asleep you hear the back door softly squeak
You’ll touch my empty pillow, then you’ll know
That restless wind, is calling me again
– Billy Joe Shaver (from “Restless Wind” (one of his best songs))

–

“He may be the best songwriter alive today”
– Willie Nelson

«He’s a real writer like Hemingway. He’s timeless»
– Kris Kristofferson

«Billy Joe is unique. One of a kind. They threw away the mold. The best.»
– Robert Duvall

I’m listening to Billy Joe Shaver And i’m reading James Joyce
-Bob Dylan (I Feel a Change Comin’ On)

Restless Wind:

Continue reading August 16: Happy 76th birthday Billy Joe Shaver →