Country Grab Bag II – Part 3

While I’m still on the lookout for new country music, I suppose I will always be partial to ‘70s country since for me it hits that sweet spot where country, rock, and pop all converge. One visible result of the social changes of the ‘60s was a relaxation of dress standards and by the ‘70s hippies had started dressing like cowboys, cowboys had started dressing like hippies, and both groups started adopting each other’s sounds. It was a great time for music.

Jessi Colter

In the ‘70s there was no social media, cable news, or Internet, and so Americans were not bombarded 24 hours a day with twaddle. Back then folks shared a common reality, got by on their talents, wits, and interpersonal skills, and music still brought people together. Country music enjoyed wide crossover appeal on ‘70s radio but no matter how popular country artists became they never forgot their solidarity with the working people- until the ‘80s when even the best country artists seemed to become lost and corrupted by the greed and trends of the shallow, image conscious ‘80s. Here are some more of my favorite country songs- including even a couple of rare ‘80s gems. Enjoy!

The Highwaymen (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash)

01. Jessi Colter – “I’m Not Lisa” (1975)
02. The Handsome Family – “Far from Any Road” (2003)
03. Willie Nelson – “Whiskey River (Live)” (1978)
04. Waylon Jennings – “We Had It All” (1973)
05. Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter – “Storms Never Last” (1981)
06. Old 97’s – “Salome” (1997)
07. Johnny Cash – “The Shifting, Whispering Sands, Pt. I” (1965)
08. Johnny Cash – “Man in Black” (1971)
09. Flatt and Scruggs – “Father’s Table Grace” (1964)
10. The Highwaymen – “Live Forever” (1995)
11. George Jones – “A Girl I Used to Know” (1962)
12. Johnny Cash feat. June Carter Cash – “Ride Easy Baby” (1980)
13. Johnny Cash – “The Shifting, Whispering Sands, Pt. II” (1965)
14. Johnny Cash – “Singin’ in Viet Nam Talkin’ Blues” (1971)
15. Johnny Cash – “Long Black Veil” (1993)
16. Trampled by Turtles – “Kelly’s Bar” (2018)
17. John Denver – “Thank God I’m a Country Boy (Live)” (1974)
18. Jonny Fritz – “Goodbye Summer” (2013)
19. Porter Wagoner – “The Carroll County Accident” (1968)
20. Tanya Tucker – “San Antonio Stroll” (1975)

21. Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band – “Pilgrim” (1999)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify... 

 

Recommended Links:

Forever Country