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Beginnings
This is where it all began. It's difficult to
distinguish much of this music from folk or blues of the same
era. Themes, musical and lyrical fragments, and even entire songs
span the genres. |
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Roy Acuff
The Essential Roy Acuff: 1936-1949 |
Roy Acuff was undeniably a cornerstone
figure in the history of the music, not only as the greatest country
star of his era, but as the founder of music publishing giant
Acuff-Rose. This budget 20-song collection will
be sufficient for most listeners. |
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Carter Family
Can the Circle Be Unbroken |
Finally, a good introductory Carter
Family collection has been issued. The Carter family participated
in the original country music recording sessions, along with Jimmie
Rodgers. You'll hear dozens of songs they popularized in the standard
repertoires of country, bluegrass and folk bands, and Maybelle
Carter's chord/lead-style guitar picking has been highly influential
on country guitar players through the years. |
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Columbia Country Classics
Vol. 1: The Golden Age |
The first of a 5-CD series, all
available separately. It's worth it for a good look at pre-honky
tonk country. You're guaranteed to fall in love with Al Dexter's
Pistol Packin' Mama, which by itself makes this worth the
bucks. All of the series is recommended, with the possible exception
of Volume 5. |
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Jimmie Rodgers
Essential |
The Father of Country Music. It's
not possible to overestimate the influence of Jimmy Rodgers on
country and even American popular music in general. Dozens of
Rodgers' songs remain in the standard country repertoire, and
they are subject to endless reworkings, many of which bring out
the beauty in the Singing Brakeman's rough-hewn melodies. Maybe
even more important was Rodgers' charisma and sense of stardom,
which made him a household name in rural American and a direct
inspiration to countless country singers who followed.
Further Listening: Merle Haggard's Same
Train, a Different Time wasn't the first tribute to Jimmie
Rodgers, but it would be hard to argue that it's not the best.
Haggard was in his prime when he cut this, and these songs sound
beautiful with full band backing and cleaned-up arrangements. |
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