Soon after finishing my previous article in the early
hours of Monday morning, I was following the results of the American Music
Awards (AMAs).
The nominations for 'Favourite Female Country Artist'
were Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert. Can you
guess who won? The nominations for ‘Favourite Country Album’ were Luke Bryan
with Crash My Party, Taylor Swift
with Red and Florida Georgia Line
with Here’s To The Good Times. Again,
I’m sure you’ll have no trouble in guessing the winner.
To be honest, I was expecting Taylor Swift to win both of
these awards despite the fact that Red
was released in 2012 and that she has done nothing, NOTHING whatsoever in 2013.
But the most worrying aspect is the fact that the winners of the American Music
Awards are decided by the public. What does this say about the state of modern
Country music when the winner of these awards is most certainly NOT a Country
artist?
The general public perception of Country music is completely
false! They do not know what real Country music is but it is not necessarily
their fault. The blame really lies with the music industry’s commercial hubs –
the executives and the award ceremonies who project a single image of Country
music; one which is so far removed from the genre’s roots. Traditional Country
music only appeals commercially to a minority of people and thus will not be
represented at events like the AMAs which seek only the most commercial music.
This therefore begs the question: ‘Why have a category for Country music?’ –
The answer, as always, is Money.
Whilst Country-Pop, as well as the Pop of Taylor Swift,
thrives at the peak of the genre; REAL Country music is being neglected. The
traditional wheel of the genre is still rolling along but can be hard to find
at times. 2013 has produced some absolutely fantastic Country music – so here
are my picks of the best REAL Country albums of the year.
Tin Star – Lindi Ortega
Canadian Country singer Lindi Ortega moved to Nashville
in 2011 to record her second album for Last Gang Records, Cigarettes and Truckstops. She has since gained all the inspiration
that she needed from Music City U.S.A to produce her latest album, Tin Star. Ortega is one of the brightest
young talents in Nashville’s music scene and can go far if she continues in
this vein.
The Civil Wars – The Civil Wars
The duo announced their hiatus in November 2012 but
continued to record their eponymous album which was finally released on August
6th, 2013. One of the highlights of the album is the duo’s cover of
the Smashing Pumpkins’ song ‘Disarm’.
The Highway – Holly Williams
Holly Williams comes from a very royal Country line as
the granddaughter of the Country music’s biggest ever star, Hank Williams. Released
in February on her own label, The Highway contains some incredible feats of
song-writing. It seems that the best Country music is often the music which is
produced independently, free from the hands of music executives.
Pokey LaFarge – Pokey LaFarge
LaFarge’s music is an innovative mix of early jazz,
western swing and country blues from the 1920s and 30s. Pokey brings a
refreshing approach to roots music, transcending the boundaries of genre and effectively
creating his own style. His eponymous album is perhaps his best yet!
Bakersfield – Vince Gill
Vince Gill is a traditionalist at heart, emerging in the
1980s as part of the movement which sought to re-establish the roots of Country
music. Gill is still going strong, releasing
Bakersfield in July which pays tribute to the innovators of the Bakersfield
sound, Merle Haggard and Buck Owens.
Southeastern – Jason Isbell
Southeastern is lyricism and story-telling at its highest
level – this album cuts deep into the skin with its raw emotion and painful
honesty. This is a record that everyone simply must have in their collection!
Foreverly – Billie Joe + Norah
It is an unlikely pairing and an even more unlikely sound
that is produced but Foreverly has to be one of the biggest records of 2013.
This album is a complete and extremely faithful reinterpretation of the Everly
Brothers’ 1958 album ‘Songs our Daddy Taught Us’. When Green Day frontman,
Billie Joe Armstrong, first approached Norah Jones about the prospect of this
album, she was naturally hesitant. But after some convincing, the duo began
working on the material for the album and something seemed to click. The result
is beautifully reminiscent of the duets between Gram Parsons and Emmylou
Harris.
Too Free To Live – Brett Detar
Brett Detar is not just a musician; he’s also a film
composer and music producer. His second solo album, Too Free To Live, has been made
available via free download from his website. It is an album which is clearly
influenced by more than just Country music, taking much from Southern Rock,
creating a great diversity and freshness in this record.
Ashley Monroe – Like a Rose
Ashley Monroe’s vulnerable and angelic-sounding voice reminds
me of a young Dolly Parton. Her latest album, Like a Rose, was produced by
Vince Gill which perhaps explains the quality of the record throughout. Monroe
had a hand in the writing of every song on the album which suggests that she
has the talent to go far in the industry.
There Will Be Nights When I’m Lonely –
Possessed by Paul James
Konrad Wert, who goes by the name of Possessed by Paul
James, is a one-man band from south Austin, Texas. He is a natural entertainer
with incredible musical talent (he plays the Banjo, Guitar and Fiddle) and his
album ‘There Will Be Nights When I’m Lonely’ also shows off his great
song-writing ability.
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