As proudly declared by Bob of his eponymous Country Bunker to Jake and Elwood as the latter two search for gigs to raise some funds for the Penguin’s orphanage property tax bill. When you’re on a mission from God, all bets are off.
Having said that, I am not a fan of this musical genre. In the US, it had its roots in the Southern States from around the (nineteen) twenties and was largely inspired by the travails experienced by rural and blue collar workers. In parallel to the Blues, the music featured down to earth bare bones instrumentation including banjos, fiddles, harmonica and various types of guitar. Just as Detroit would become the spiritual home of Motown, Tennessee would eventually be recognised as the spiritual home of C&W.
A healthy C&W scene has also been present in Oz for around the same period of time, where the music was informed and inspired by the massive, beautiful and often brutal and terrifying outback expanses traversed by various less than glamorous personages.
It has a long and proud tradition, citing such giants of Australian literature as Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson. Its most famous exponent is of course, the peerless Slim Dusty, who has rightfully earned his place as one of the most popular Ozzie musicians of all time.
Anyway, here’s the two intro tracks – the second was arrived at after some recent “fluid” discussion with a fellow Cat commenter whose musical opinions I’ve always valued.
The Blues Brothers (masquerading as the Good Ol’ Boys), performing “Rawhide” at Bob’s Country Bunker:
“Take me Home, Country Roads”, as belted out by Merlin shortly before his untimely demise in “Kingsman – the Golden Circle”:
For WolfmanOz – in relation to the above song, the ship’s pilot and straw hat wearing good ol’ boy Tennessee in “Alien Covenant” name checks it when the crew are trying to decipher an unintelligible message beamed from (cue spooky music…) LV426.
Yee-ha! Let’s hear your favourite C&W ditties, Cats. You know you want to!
We play both kinds of music at the Cat!
Blues Brothers is such a fine little movie. I loved the Penguin.
OK then, let’s go ….
Foggy Mountain Breakdown.
I like Adam Harvey who has a great sense of humour.
Satellite TV Blues
Just when you think it’s all over it’s only begun.
Time of the Preacher in Edge of Darkness (1985)
Here’s the Willie Nelson single:
Time of the Preacher (1975)
Just one more bluegrass number.
Pardon Me
Now this is more like it:
Boys From The Bush
I liked the second clip – I’ve never seen the film.
John Williamson is another Australian country legend. I also vaguely remember the Rantan Band, though cannot recall any of their songs.
Kasey Chambers has been a modern superstar, beginning in country, but also embracing other genres. Her distinctive nasal tone takes some getting used to, but she has produced some fine songwriting.
Slightly off-topic, but Kasey recently did an interesting banjo-lead cover of Eminem’s Lose Yourself.
We must have some Shania Twain even though it sounds more like soft rock.
Man! I Feel Like A Woman
My favourite C&W …
Sadly it is only the song, and not the monologue that explains how it is written.
https://youtu.be/kxY-ou9L_r8
I like this one:
Redneck Woman
Everybody has been zeroed out, somebody really doesn’t like country music.
Another awesome movie using C&W.
Sonny Rhodes – The Ballad Of Serenity (2002)
Carrie Fisher was so good in the Blues Brothers.
Not really a fan of modern C&W but Hank Williams is pretty good: Cold, Cold Heart
Muddy, you just reminded me about Kasey Chambers
Wheelbarrow
Okay. Here’s Circuit Rider.
And a band most of you have probably never heard of.
Let’s have some Willie Nelson:
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
roots …
banjo came with the Africans
harmonica came with ze Chermans
the fiddle has been around a long time
guitar and mandolin, Europe
stringed instruments are probably pre Holocene
it’s a melting pot
Everybody needs somebody.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHV0zs0kVGg
How about Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens?
Streets of Bakersfield
Crossie,
I haven’t kept track of Kasey over the past ten years, but I liked her first four or five albums.
Johnny Cash doing Nine Inch Nails…
Johnny Cash – Hurt (2002)
Ok I should’ve put up a classic Johnny Cash not his cover of a rock anthem. Sue me.
you Aussie, Charlie Fittler – Dying Breed
And, Aretha Franklin in………………………………….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTXszRHc0qs&t=70s
Beggars Banquet, 1968:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8Ci47X96H0
Some Girls, 1978:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyK1bZZ7E-s
*young
Speaking of suing.
A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash (1969)
Matt Joe Gow – Between Tonight & Tomorrow
BofN: Johnny Cash doing Nine Inch Nails…
Yes. A fine cover. Surprising.
Nancy and Lee:
Jackson
and
Summer Wine
Okie funk, with some dashes of country in there a.k.a. same old blues.
Cow Cow Boogie by Ella Mae Morse- one HELL of a song
Maybe just marginally qualifies as C&W but I offer this in memory of a chap who passed away this week.
Mr Smith resolutely entertained the lager louts* of Melbourne at various pubs during the 1980’s.
* Some of whom were known to me.
If you woke up Sunday morning “I beg your pardon, Miss, what was your name again?”
calli says:
May 6, 2023 at 7:35 pm
Okay. Here’s Circuit Rider.
I’m a sucker for vocal harmonies.
Completely off topic, but I still recall the Melanesian choir from the soundtrack of the film The Thin Red Line. (The audio tracks only, come in the ‘extras’ section of the DVD). Sorry, back to the topic now …
I was born under a Wanderin’ Star, I tells ya … 🙂
My apologies to the host for digressing, because the following is gospel rather than country, but if you enjoy vocal harmonies: Melanesian Choirs.
JJ Cale, what else can you say? C&W blues funk. Glorious.
J.J.Cale & Eric Clapton Ride the River (2005)
The Gap …
Great stuff, Jo.
From Sancho’s link above:
Like the tide, I’ll always roll out again.
Noice.
a bit more JJ Cale to revive the soul
Rabz thanks for posting that song- Clint looks so young! Gave me goosebumps.
Kris Kristofferson
Sunday Morning Coming Down
hmm … Rabz, no offense but, you gotta move outta the commercialized stuff.
listen for the figurative link between Tennesse Waltz and Tennessee Whiskey
Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.)
Muddy> nice stuff from the pacific … reminds me a little of this beautiful version of a classic
Possibly the most tuneless voice in Christendom.
Flat as a shit-carter’s hat.
It’s a hanging day in Wolf City Wyoming!
You ought to see them from my side
The Ballad Of Cat Ballou (1965)
Thanks CL – I’ve known some goils with faraway eyes … 😕
Billy Joel – Travelin’ Prayer (1976)- reminds me of my Amtrak ride thru New Mexico and Colorado
Sancho: Is this Broderick Smith doing vocals for Chisel?
Apologies. Just scrolled down the comments and found confirmation. As you were.
Deliverance • Dueling Banjos • Arthur Smith, Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell
Miss Ellie and Wolf Alice going all C&W – Bobby
Mel Tillis
Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town</a
Well, there’s always Leonard Cohen.
Leonard Cohen – Closing Time (1992)
I am a lineman for the county
and here’s Glen with the great Roy Clark:
Ghost Riders in the Sky
Audio Murphy Inc. featuring Melinda – Tighten Up Your Pants (The Yodelling Song)
Apologies Zulu.
Merle Haggard
The Bottle Let Me Down
Try again
Kenny Rogers – Reuben James
As performed by the mighty Johnny C …
“An ol’ cowboy went ridin’ out one windy day, I tells ya”
Kenny Rogers – Something’s Burning
Love, is a burning flame
and it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I somehow accidentally fell into a ring o’ fire … 😕
I’m edging away slightly. This one is allied to our theme, but a ballad not really country.
Vale Gordon Lightfoot who died this week.
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” – Gordon Lightfoot (1976)
Gordon Lightfoot, “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” singer, dies at age 84 (2 May)
In memory also of SS Iron Knight, Iron Crown and Iron Chieftain sunk by Japanese submarines in 1942-3.
John Norman
Wild Colonial Boy
(recorded in Michigan by Alan Lomax)
I had a Noel Watson CD some years ago. An Aussie bloke with a deep voice, he didn’t stick to country tunes, but did have a decent set of pipes. Waltzing Matilda I guess is folk rather than country, but … you know. (Not great sound quality in this clip, but some familiar footy faces).
Can’t believe we’ve gone 67 comments and NO Conway Twitty ..!
https://youtu.be/jzBkoy9XX8k
Or George Jones ..!
https://youtu.be/VExw77xJsBQ
That song was originally written about a Korean War veteran – “that crazy Asian war” – and there was a counterpart written from Ruby’s point of view.
a Townes Van Zandt cover
… nothin
more Merle Haggard
Runaway Momma
“Copperhead Road” with an extra verse.
eric hinton says:
May 6, 2023 at 8:49 pm
Wow. That was an interesting listen. A relic of a past that some want all knowledge of incinerated.
I don’t think so Muddy.
I think it might be Ian Moss.
Hard to tell.
Dimly lit video on my smudgy phone.
another Aussie
Steve Wallis – Waiting For Someday
Dust in a Baggie
South of the border.
Don’t Stray (Calexico, 1998)
love Calexico, BoN
that track is awesome
The very best version of Ghost Riders, IMO, by Vaughn Monroe, seen here doing it live in 1965.
Steve Earle – Tecumseh Valley
Misguided Angel
Willie Nelson … Texas
forget Jazz
nobody does that mode, woven whimsically through Tex-Mex, that Willie does.
his effect is everywhere and across all genres
we’ll be sorry when he’s gone
Since no one else has spoken of Slim Dusty
Redback on the toilet seat, which immortally sums up the trouble we have with climate change:
Lights on the Hill, because.
Gordon Parson and his good old pal
Gordon Parson and his good old pal (second try)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZMt6w45U64
JImmy Rogers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh9mAHsf0Mc
Like you Rabz not really a fan of C&W but enjoyed your post and the comments.
Never would have known that – not really a fan of Alien: Covenant, but great pick-up.
As a former Nashville resident, I thoroughly approve of this fred. Here, have some Western Swing.
Are we allowed to take a visit down the a narrow side-lane of bluegrass-influence?
The Dead South
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6-7gjgVg7E
6 days on the road
I’ve always like the Truckin side of Country. This song captures it precisely.
Robert’s Western World in downtown Nashville is the home of country music in all of its variations which, on any given night, will include rocky stuff like this. Great spot!
Willie Nelson – Night Life
Marty Robbins. Gunfighter Ballads. My favourite is Big Iron but I like all of the tracks.
Femmes baby
The 2006 Bob Dylan classic Modern Times is essentially a country album with standout tracks including Levee’s Gonna Break, Thunder On The Water and even the wistful Beyond The Horizon.
Thanks, Cats. It’s been a much more enjoyed thread than I expected.
Still got some of the standout tunes rattling around in my head, including Jackson and Ring o’ Fire.
Now we need to come up with a theme for next month’s Radio Show.
Suggestions are much appreciated.
Rabz> how about “blues for these times”
Was just thinking about a Blues thread. It is my favourite music, being an unrepentant romantic. Although many previous radio show threads have crossed into that territory.
For “these times” might be somewhat limiting yet somewhat interesting.
To bring up the Century – Johnny and June.
Jackson 🙂
Likewise Rabz. Thanks for your effort!
I walk the line!
I just can’t do the link – I’m sorry
Jimmy buffet come Monday
Jim Croche I’ve got a name
Glen Campbell – Galveston
Eagles – take it easy
Lucinda Williams Drunken Angel
Rabz you understate the entire genre. It’s simple the individual, the solo rider, the space, the vastness and freedom of movement.
The dialogue of the songs are excellent
Thanks, Louis.
Hey, Mr Spaceman …
Rabz> Spotify list of songs above (or versions that Spotify has)
Funk week?
Fair point – getting into specific themes might limit discovery which is best part of the “radio” threads imho.
Wayfaring Stranger
added song above shared by Matrix to the Spotify list @ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5aoUkxk3Jl1aMbycN62n8z?si=1737fdab42934725