Country Grab Bag V

“There’s only two kinds of music: the blues and zippety doo-dah.” 

– Townes Van Zandt

Johnny Cash

I recently reread Lincoln’s second inaugural (which every American should read- it’s quite brief) and was struck by Lincoln’s wondering aloud whether the still ongoing civil war was divine retribution for the sin of slavery- a wicked institution the Confederacy fought and died to preserve. Don’t let anyone tell you different: the Civil War was fought over slavery. There were no heroes from the Confederacy; they were all racist traitors. But what then about the founders of the United States, traitors to the British Empire, many of whom owned slaves? While an interesting issue for discussion, for me there are only two roads: the road to freedom and the road away from it. Despite its failings, the United States is the story of a nation on the road to freedom. The Confederacy and its supporters were on the road to hell.

Bob Dylan

Long associated with the American South, country music comes from the same birthplace as jazz, blues, and rock & roll (interestingly, Kentucky and West Virginia- key places in the development of country music- both fought for the Union during the Civil War). At some point, cowboy music became associated with country (hence the term country and western, which replaced hillbilly) and while Southerners like Johnny Cash and Townes Van Zandt helped draw non-Southerners to country music, let us not forget Bob Dylan- a Jewish kid from Minnesota- continues to record country influenced music (not to mention folk, jazz, blues, and rock & roll). While Dylan’s music is steeped in country, it also transcends it and invites all listeners to discover and enjoy its charms. Here are some of my favorite country songs. Enjoy!

Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash

01. Michael Nesmith – “Some of Shelly’s Blues” (1973)
02. Shooter Jennings – “Walk of Life” (2007)
03. Johnny Cash – “Highway Patrolman” (1983)
04. John Prine – “Illegal Smile” (1971)
05. Johnny Cash – “You Are My Sunshine” (2000)
06. Johnny Cash – “The Beast in Me” (1994)
07. Johnny Cash – “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (2002)
08. Johnny Cash – “Streets of Laredo” (2002)
09. Toby Keith and Sting – “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying” (1997)
10. Townes Van Zandt – “I’ll Be Here in the Morning” (1969)
11. Jonny Fritz – “Fifteen Passenger Van” (2016)
12. Kenny Rogers – “Love the World Away” (1980)
13. Townes Van Zandt – “None but the Rain” (1969)
14. William Clark Green – “She Likes the Beatles” (2013)
15. Turnpike Troubadours – “Every Girl” (2010)
16. Townes Van Zandt – “For the Sake of the Song” (1969)
17. Bob Dylan – “All Along the Watchtower” (1967)
18. Bob Dylan – “Not Dark Yet” (1997)
19. Bob Dylan – “Desolation Row (Alternate)” (1965)
20. Bob Dylan – “Blind Willie McTell” (1983)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

... or check out songs from the playlist on YouTube

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