sisabet: (Default)
sisabet ([personal profile] sisabet) wrote2005-04-19 10:40 am

Roots Music Rec's Request

So apparently there is a ton of interest in American Roots Music - so yay! I've drafted help on the essay front from two very intelligent and musical sources, so this might actually make sense. This is my goal for May/June.

Before that - I do want to do an actual *music* post of Americana, kinda like Lum did with the blues posts, just so there is a starting point. I mean, I can bring up King Wilkie or North Mississippi Allstars or Uncle Tupelo or Professor Longhair or Alison Moore or Steve Earle (and believe me, I *will*) but music is a strange beast in that we can talk all day long about what makes *this* Americana and how this is actually folk music but since it was so heavily influenced by such and such artist that it sounds kinda country and how this is classic country but if you listen carefully, you can definitely hear a blues influence and this is classic blues by way of southern rock and this is not any of the above, but something totally different, but is important because it helped shape all of the above.

And it can all be called Americana because it all arises from roots music.

But none of this means anything if we are just talking about it - we gotta listen to it as well (so we have something to talk about). So now I need your help - if you are reading this and are into roots music -- please post a couple of essential rec's in the comments cause, as you know, this is an extremely large playing field.

And my definition of roots music is extremely wide - so if you think it fits, go ahead and suggest it and tell me why (if you can, you don't have to).

Also - you can just give the name of the artist and album/song - uploading mp3s is not a requirement to play.

[identity profile] robynbender.livejournal.com 2005-04-20 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Thinking compilations:
Don't forget the 3 volumes of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken"
For broad survey of sacred music see the recent "Goodbye, Babylon"

[identity profile] sexybee.livejournal.com 2005-04-20 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Completely seconding the "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" rec. I got them for my dad for his birthday after watching "O Brother" re-piqued his interest in bluegrass. Then I stole them for myself. Disc 2 is right now sitting on my desk in front of me.

[identity profile] sisabet.livejournal.com 2005-04-20 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I actually think Vol 2 is the best -- but this is by a very narrow, narrow margin. I agree and third and second and just want to generally get the word out about these sets.

[identity profile] sisabet.livejournal.com 2005-04-20 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Ohh - I want "Goodbye Babylon" -- I should add that to my Amazon wishlist although is would make an excellent gift for my parents...who have an anniversary fast approaching. Hmmm.