June 14, 2005
Americana On A Budget -- Ten Must-Have Albums
Posted by Larry Karnowski at June 14, 2005 5:30 PMOkay, no defense, no explanations -- I'm interested in hearing what y'all think before I make my apologies. Here are ten albums that I think every Americana fan should at least listen to if not own. Note these aren't the top ten, nor even my top ten (although fairly damn close). These are just albums that I think readers of HickoryWind.org would enjoy, and I know we reference these albums very often in our reviews and discussions. Several of the contained songs are often covered by other artists as well, so I consider these very important milestones in the journey that is Americana music.
1. Stranger's Alamanac by Whiskeytown
2. Anodyne by Uncle Tupelo
3. Bill Monroe Anthology
4. GP/Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons
5. Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams
6. Trace by Son Volt
7. Time (The Revelator) by Gillian Welch
8. Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
9. Live in Texas by Lyle Lovett
10. Alison Krauss & Union State Live
In my defense, this was a terribly difficult post to write, and I know I'll regret my choices even as soon as I push the "publish" button. But I had to stop somewhere -- I couldn't go on deliberating forever!
Dammit man! No Jayhawks? No Lucinda Williams?? No Old 97s??? (Told ya I was going to hassle you!) :)
Actually, it's not a bad list at all. I don't disagree with anything on there, just think the three (and I'm willing to negotiate on the Jayhawks) I just mentioned would broaded the scope a little.
Posted by: Stacy at June 15, 2005 4:04 AMYeah, I'm with Stacy.
I think you can consider Son Volt and Ryan Adams "grandfathered in" through the Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown inclusions.
I think Steve Earle needs to show up somewhere here...but what album and where, I'm not so sure. Maybe Townes, too.
Excellent stab, though.
Shane O.
Posted by: Shane O. at June 15, 2005 3:40 PMI was waiting for someone to call me out on that, Shane. I felt that I had to do it, though, because we mention Heartbreaker and Trace so often on this site and because I've heard so many people/artists refer to them. I mean, hell, the sub-title of AltCountryTab.com (RIP) was "Searching For a Truer Sound" from that Son Volt album. I consider it canon.
Posted by: larry at June 15, 2005 3:44 PMRight on, Shane! I was going to throw Steve Earle in my Larry-hassling, too, but I decided to let him off easy. Glad you picked up where I left off. :)
Posted by: Stacy at June 16, 2005 5:28 AM
