Where is the talent in 'new country'?

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 11:00 PM

Lucinda Williams considers herself country, at least that is what she said on some telecast. She added that she just wasn't the kind of country that got played on the radio. Darn shame too. She is one of the bright spots in my opinion.   Most of the stations that reach into this distant spot in the Ozarks are of the sort that subscribe to some subscription service and play the same stuff that all other stations play. I've quit listening so I really don't know what's on the radio these days.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Ely
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 08:33 PM

I was quite disappointed with Kelly Willis in real life (seen her twice). The music wasn't very country--it wasn't phony twang, mind you, but I'd rather listen to Lucinda Williams and get a little more grit, and I don't think LW is really considered "country".

Maybe I'm spoiled--depending on where you live, a lot of these "not on the radio" people ARE on the radio. In Houston, I've got my choice of pop-country station, alt-ish-country station, and classic country station.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 01:53 AM

Ahh! That was me, forgetting to fill in the From: box again. I expect at least some would recognize it as mine anyhow.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 01:52 AM

Here's my list (probably left a few out) with a few short comments. I expect some will say my definition of "NEW" Country is a bit broad, but if I were stricter, there wouldn't be much to recommend, would there?

In reading over my list, I see I have voted with the side that says there are at least some good singers on the ladies' side, practically none on the men's side.

Kelly Willis, distinctive voice, not what Country wants nowadays. Definitely doesn't sound like anybody else

Mandy Barnett, a bit like Patsy Cline.

Gail Davies, been around a while, but as good as ever and a writer of the first degree.

Kimmie Rhodes, practically criminal that she is not better known.

Patty Loveless, recent offerings right on the edge of Bluegrass and GOOD

Suzy Bogguss, puts the WESTERN back in Country.

Julie & Buddy Miller, a bit hard to categorize, but give a listen, you'll be glad you did.

Good luck trying to find any of them on the radio.


Special Australian Section

Sara Storer, definitely the most Australian in Australian Country. Critics say most of the rest are all trying to sound as though they are from the States. My ears don't hear it that way. All the Australians I listen to seem to be a few years behind the trends in U.S. Country music, a good thing.

Lee Kernaghan

Tania Kernaghan

Ray Kernaghan, their Dad, hard to get more country than this

Gina Jeffreys

Beccy Cole, wicked sense of humour

Catherine Britt, recently signed to RCA, so she should be heard in the US soon

Shanley Del, originally from NZ, but has been in AUS long enough to count

Anne Kirkpatrick and oh yeah, her Dad ~~ Slim Dusty


Special Canadian Section

Quartette (Cindy Church, Sylvia Tyson, Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick and former member Coleen Peterson, now deceased)

All of the above with their solo projects.

Ian Tyson, not the least bit "NEW" but still turning out great stuff

Dan et Lou, even if you don't understand French

The Ennis Sisters, not quite Country, but close enough, though I did like their earliest recordings best

Amanda Stott, closer to U.S. Country than a person might like, but still OK

These last two probably do not belong ~~ Nova Scotians Aselin Debison and The Cottars, but I can't resist recommending them. Some of Aselin's stuff is close to Country, most of The Cottars' is not. Listen anyway.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 10:25 PM

My immediate answer to you question was "in the nose". My subsequent and more revealing comment, which is true for me, and me only, is "I hope I'm not there any time soon"... *bg* ttr

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 10:17 PM

For some "real" country singers listen to Tift Merritt, Elizabeth Cook, Allison Moorer, Kelly Willis, Neko Case, and Caitlin Cary. You may not find them on the radio but they are making some pretty decent country music.   Moorer's "Soft Place to Fall", which was co-written, by the way, was in the movie "Horse Whisper" and is one my favorite songs at the moment. (This sort of brings up another subject, and is only my opinion, but for my money the best recorded music of the day is found in films not on the radio). Merritt's "Virginia" video has been played on CMT and the album it comes from has a number of winners, including "Sunday", "When I Cross Over", "I Know Him Too", and more. Cook's "Dolly" and "Stupid Things" are well worth a listen. Case, a punk rock drummer, in her other life, has a knockout voice and has already been banned from the Opry for life according to one article I read. I could go on, but won't other than to say that any one who yearns for the country music of yesteryear should find these belles and give them a chance.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Nemesis
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 07:22 PM

www.piners.com .. this is supposed to be "country" and it's supposed to be "new" .. is it? It's not a genre I especially know anything about, but I was pointed t'wards this band ... interested in your thoughts anyone?

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: C-flat
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 06:47 PM

I expect it's got more to do with the "business" than the artists.
No doubt there are some fine singers and musicians in the genre but the packaging is just awful and the terms are dictated by the record labels. "If they want crap, let's give 'em crap, and lots of it!"
Making music is a beatiful and creative experience but these guys are mostly running a production line.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: khandu
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 06:17 PM

How many of the "boy-band" songs have also been done as country? Too damned many.

I hate all this drivel they call "today's country". Gimme Merle, Ernest, Hank Sr., Gimme Conway, Webb, Stonewall.

Gimme one of them for a hundred of the new country "stars", and I'll walk away knowing I got the better deal!

Ken

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Ely
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 04:38 PM

It's there, you just have to look closely. Forget the radio--the general public doesn't listen to the good stuff any more.

Example: I went to the Austin City Limits festival last September, which had a pretty full range of fame from Robert Earl Keen and Gillian Welch on down (no superstars, but big names if you like that kind of thing). The well-known ones were all boring; the women all looked alike--thin, young, and blonde--and everybody sounded just like their recordings. I could have had about the same experience at home with my CD player and spared myself the sunburn and $2 Cokes.

The best act all weekend was a local Austin retro-rockabilly band called the Weary Boys, of who appear to be running themselves ragged playing every little gig they can get in south and central Texas. The Weary Boys weren't pretty but they could sing they were passable (and improving) musicians, and they were a Hell of a lot of fun to watch. I bought both their CD's to help keep them going.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: The O'Meara
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 03:44 PM

Country music to me was always simple and straightforward, and I was turned off completely by Hank jr and Garth Brooks and all the singers who can't sing and cover it with band noise and all the identical pap that sounds the same. If someone wrote and recorded a simple song like "Amanda" or "Country Bumpkin" where would anyone get to hear it, or hear of it these days? There may be a lot of talent running around in New Country, but you sure can't tell it by the music!

O'Meara

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Spartacus
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 02:20 PM

The guitar off to the side thing is funny. I think alot of the young folks saw people like johnny Cash and Bill Monroe do it on occasion. Johnny and Bill were doing because they didn't have thier guitars plugged in, and were using one mic for both the vocal and guitar. When you want some extra volume, you turn the guitar up and lift it a little to get it closer to the mic. It's great to think that some of these guys may have stolen it just to "look cool".

Maybe I'll poke my eyes out so I can play like Doc Watson....

-Spartacus

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: NicoleC
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 02:05 PM

What passes for country these days is nothing more than bland Top 40 style pop with maybe a fiddle or something to make it countrified. Like all commercial music, it's about the money and the demographic, not the quality of the music. But here's what confuses me about today's "country" music --

Most of the female country artists can really SING *and* they're great looking, which appears to be the prime requirement.

The new young male country signers are often quite good looking, but have less than remarkable weak voices.

What gives? Aren't there men out there that meet both criteria?

And why do they always have to stick their guitar out to the side with the neck straight up in the air?

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Midchuck
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 01:54 PM

2 or 3 years on Mudcat and this is the first thread I've ever seen where everyone agreed. Can it last?

Peter.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 01:13 PM

"Murder on Music Row" says it all!
Thank God that so many of the old songs are still around at live performances. I hope to do a couple at a concert tonight. Turn off that radio and pick up the guitar or turn on those old lp's and belt them out. Don't let the good stuff die! :-}
New country just ain't country............
            Sandy

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Kim C
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 12:32 PM

Spartacus, your guess is as good as mine. I've been asking that same question for years now.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 11:50 AM

talent and new country don't seem to go together very well...

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Midchuck
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 11:46 AM

As long as we have "hot new Country," '70s rock will live.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 10:42 AM

It's time to give up the idea that you will hear anything worth your time on commerical radio or TV. I know from experience that it's hard, but I made the break years ago and have never looked back.

Country musicians from yesteryear that I respect are still recording on small/smaller labels, but they get no airplay anymore on commercial stations.

I don't remember any of the details, but I read an article about the music that's coming out of (being excreted by) Nasville these days. Can't remember if it's called "real" country or "true" country or what. The demographics of the target audience as nothing to do with me, a geezer male. It's something like women between the ages of 25 and 35. Hopefully a more knowledgeable contributor to this thread will correct me.

Subject: Where is the talent in 'new country'?
From: Spartacus
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 10:05 AM

I caught the Johnny Cash special on one of the country TV stations last nite. During the commerical breaks, they were advertising for a country music award show that was coming up. I only recognized 5 or 6 of the names, and they were all people I don't listen to or respect.
    If have to hear Toby Keith make a popluar catch phrase into a song one more time, I'll vomit. "It's all good" or, "It works for me" or even his masterpiece, "Who's your daddy?". This man is obviously a visionary.
    Faith Hill is also performing. I have some sad news. THIS IS NOT COUNTRY MUSIC. She's a franchise. She and her husband. She is cute, and she has a decent voice. She should move to Vegas with Celine Dion. (at least Celine stopped touring)
    The rest of the tight t-shirt and tank top wearing "cowboys" looked more like western tinged Gap advertisements than serious musicians. So....I ask you....Where is the talent in new country music?

Who's making decent music, writing their own songs. (not co-writing. this is a code phrase for "i was there when the song was written, now I want to take credit for it")

P.S. do i sound a little jaded...or no?

-Spartacus