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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.


Cover-Essential Roy Acuff

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.


Cover-Carter Family-Can the Circle Be Unbroken

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.


Cover-Columbia Country Classics, Vol. 1

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.


Cover-Essential Jimmie Rodgers

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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