Country Music
One thing, among others, that sets Jason Isbell apart from his country scene contemporaries is that he isn’t afraid to break the all-American code of manly stoicism.
What makes these two albums stand apart? They are content to showcase the elemental power of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s voice.
Country music is as rich and complex as any other genre, but given the inevitable marketing tie-ins, it might be a good time to offer the names of artists and songs that either weren’t included or were briefly touched on at best.
Country Music digs into the rich, deep dirt of a music with a complicated past, a hybrid genre soaked in soulful suffering, twangy glory, and times both high and tough.
This Nashvillian has a simple message for America: “You best pull yourself together, or you might never be the same.”
“I love analyzing songs and finding out what makes them tick and what makes them wonderful.”
A country maverick talks about becoming a bluegrass traditionalist.
These are good people who have grown up playing country and pop music and are committed to giving the people what they want.
“The music itself is quite Gothic. It’s about murder, and death, and God, not all toe tapping stuff.”
Music Commentary: Nanci Griffith vs. the “New Yorker”
It was the sniping tone that made the article perplexing. I would almost call it perverse. Why treat so cavalierly — even shabbily — a deceased, highly esteemed, Grammy-winning artist?
Read More about Music Commentary: Nanci Griffith vs. the “New Yorker”