# Alt Country & Americana **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 23, 2003, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818 "2003-11-23T06:48:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/21 "2003-11-24T05:35:17Z")
Oooh, Western swing! I like Asleep At the Wheel, and of course Bob Wills. But you can’t go wrong with Johnny Cash or Patsy Cline. Or Brian Setzer, with the big band or the Stray Cats. Or Reverend Horton Heat or Chris Isaak. Or even the spaghetti western film scores of Ennio Morricone. I’ve been into all of this stuff lately, and I’m dying to get a Fender Telecaster so I can start twanging out rockabilly and surf and alt-country and swing and lounge and punk and all combinations thereof. The country music radio station in Miami recently posted a billboard with a big sexy picture of Shania Twain, proclaiming “More Twain, Less Twang!” And I shook my head sadly, as most people who claim to be into “country music” listen to watered-down banal pop disguised in stupid big hats. And Hank Williams I would be as alien to these mainstream country listeners as Hank III would be, I bet. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/22 "2003-11-24T08:43:00Z")
A few other suggestions: First, give a listen to [KEXP](http://www.kexp.org) on Wednesday through Friday evenings between 6:00 and 9:00 Pacific time. Wednesday is roots music, Thursday is country, and Friday is rockabilly. (And in case you’re curious, Monday is African music and Tuesday is world music). And some other artists you might want to consider (in no particular order): Alejandro Escovedo Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter Laura Veirs Fred Eaglesmith The Picketts (and Christy McWilson’s solo work) The Walkabouts (specifically, their “Satisfied Mind” album. Their other stuff is great but isn’t country.) Danny Barnes The Derailers Hot Club of Cowtown Steve Earle Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Phonics The Damnations Kelly Hogan Bobby Bare Jr. Kasey Chambers BR549 Wayne Hancock Kelly Willis Johnny Dowd Gerald Collier Bill Frisell (he’s a fabulous jazz guitarist, but he went through a “roots” phase that you might find interesting) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/23 "2003-11-24T09:23:57Z")
Don’t forget about the Waco Brothers. Also, various members of the Mekons (Jon Langford, Sally Timms, Rico Bell) have put out some reasonably killer solo work in this style. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/24 "2003-11-24T12:35:18Z")
**Hank Williams the 3rd.** can really blow the roof off, in his hardcore persona… Don’t forget **Cracker** and the “Ethnic music from a country we made up” joy from **Camper Van Beethoven** … ---
**Author:** ![Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@Live\_Better\_Electrically](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Live_Better_Electrically)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/25 "2003-11-24T12:50:19Z")
The alt-country “movement” is the third wave. There were the **Flying Burrito Brothers** , **Michael Nesmith** (he did country with the **Monkees** , too), **Rick Nelson** , **Doug Sahm** , etc in the late '60s and early '70s. Then **Wall of Voodoo** , **Meat Puppets** , **X** , the **Blasters** (and a million others) in the '80s, and now the current crop. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/26 "2003-11-24T14:51:17Z")
Have enjoyed **The Blasters** and those earlier guys you mentioned, **Electrically**. Also there were **New Riders of the Purple Sage.** **The Grateful Dead** , in their countrified phase, made two gorgeous albums: _Workingman’s Dead_ and _American Beauty._ ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/27 "2003-11-24T15:41:13Z")
I haven’t seen a mention of my new favorite band, **Hem** yet. Check them out at [www.rabbitsongs.com](http://www.rabbitsongs.com) ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/28 "2003-11-24T22:27:08Z")
This is one of my favorite genres… \*\*The Be Good Tanyas Nanci Griffith Lucinda Williams Josh Rouse Lou Ford Carrie Newcomer Jesse Malin Jim White Steve Earle The Thorns \*\* …and so much more…I’d say that this genre is far from dead. Check out [altcountrytab.com](http://www.altcountrytab.com) which not only gives chords for some of these artists but also gig reviews, album reviews, forum discussions and more. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/29 "2003-11-24T22:46:00Z")
I’d just like to throw out Robbie Fulks on the Bloodshot label, along with the Sprague Brothers. RF is hard to pin down in any one genre, but his “Best of” Cd is one of the greatest things I have ever heard. Hands Down. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/30 "2003-11-24T23:15:10Z")
Let us not forget **Jason and the Scorchers** , as well as some fine solo work by **Jason Ringenberg**. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/31 "2003-11-24T23:29:01Z")
Oh yes, and I must also plu [KHYI](http://www.khyi.com/) for alt.country and classic country. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/32 "2003-11-24T23:51:23Z")
Also check out: John Wesley Harding Bottle Rockets Supersuckers ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/33 "2003-11-25T00:29:45Z")
While we’re plugging alt.country stations, the alltime best, IMHO, is **KPIG** of Freedom, California, which drew a worldwide audience online until the FCC caved to the ad agencies and required netcast stations to pay royalties for national ads used in the netcast. Now they are only available through Real Audio at eight bucks a month. However, many of the the KPIG staffers previously worked at the legendary **KFAT** (Giroy, California “The Garlic Capitol of the World”) and on Shoutcast one can find tapes of KFAT (1977-1983) with a chance to listen to a lovely eclectic mix of first wave alt. country with judicious blends of folk, blues, gospel and, yes, Hawaiian music. Must be heard to be appreciated. Check it out [here](http://www.shoutcast.com/directory/index.phtml). ---
**Author:** ![eli\_the\_fanatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ccd318/32.png) [@eli\_the\_fanatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eli_the_fanatic)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/34 "2003-11-25T03:52:17Z")
Listening to “The Range” KHYI after finally figuring out how (the site doesn’t have a get help page, but I downloaded WMP for my Mac and now I’m able to connect). Great stuff. My Mac has a radio station thing with a station called Boot Liquor ([http://somafm.com/bootliquor/](http://somafm.com/bootliquor/)). I don’t think you need a Mac, but you do need either iTunes or the Windows equivelent from [apple.com](http://apple.com). ---
**Author:** ![Earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/90db22/32.png) [@Earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthling)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/35 "2003-11-25T06:36:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spoke- \* > \*\*Oh yes, and I must also plu [KHYI](http://www.khyi.com/) for alt.country and classic country. \*\* Ahem: > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Earthling_ > **Y’all gotta listen to [this](http://www.khyi.com) station, man.** Being that there are many Asleep at the Wheel fans here, you folks probably already know this – but for the uninitiated, their CD _Ride with Bob_ is a tribute to Bob Wills and feature performances by a whole passel of country music greats, including a rendition of “Roly Poly” by the Dixie Chicks, which leads me to… If you can find it, get your hands on their first two CDs, _Thank Heavens for Dale Evans_ and _Little Ol’ Cowgirl_. These were made before Natalie Maines replaced Robin Lynn Macy and Laura Lynch. Very much bluegrass influenced. IIRC, changing their stylistic direction was at least partially responsible for these departures. Did someone say bluegrass? How can you not listen to Flagg & Scruggs, or Bill Monroe? Another name: Bill Kirchen, formerly of Commander Cody. His live rendition of “Hot Rod Lincoln” is 8 minutes of pure genius, ripping through the music of everyone from Chuck Berry to The Sex Pistols to, uh, Billie Jean King. And, last (for now anyhow) but not least: Robert Earl Keen. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/36 "2003-11-25T14:56:52Z")
The best concert I’ve seen this year–Lucinda Williams with the Jayhawks in Raleigh. Even Lucinda said toward the end of the show that they were technically her support act, but it was really a double bill. Both kicked ass–I had actually forgotten how great the Jayhawks were. Between that and the Uncle Tupelo re-releases, this year has renewed my faith in alt-country. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/37 "2003-11-25T16:06:12Z")
If you’re going to bring in bluegrass then you have to mention **Nickel Creek** and **Chris Thile** ’s solo work, especially _Not All Who Wander Are Lost_. **Bloodshot Records** has been mentioned a couple of times and I thought I’d make it three. Get their catalog. Buy any album from it and you’ll be satisifed. That’s how I discovered **Alejandro Escovedo** (tip of the hat to **Hunter Hawk** ). Great stuff. I may have overlooked it, but be sure to pick up the latest from **The Flatlanders**. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/38 "2003-11-25T20:01:00Z")
And the Flatlanders are each pretty solid on their own: **Joe Ely** , **Jimmie Dale Gilmore** , and **Butch Hancock**. **Live Better Electrically!** mentioned the Flying Burrito Brothers, but you could also check out **Gram Parsons’** work, both solo and with the **Byrds**. ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818/39 "2003-11-25T21:24:58Z")
Here are some of my favorites… **Neko Case** - Furnace Room Lullaby **Split Lip Rayfield** - Never Make It Home **The Meat Purveyors** - More Songs About Buildings And Cows **Carolyn Mark & Her Roommates** - Terrible Hostess **Meat Puppets** - Up On The Sun **Jason & The Scorchers** - Wildfires and Misfires **Johnny Dowd** - The Pawnbroker’s Wife **David P. Smith** - Hurtin’ Dance Party **The Buttless Chaps** - Death Scenes I II III **The Sadies** - Tremendous Efforts **Jim White** - The Mysterious Story of How I Shouted Wrong-Eyed Jesus **The Blasters** - American Music **20 Miles** - I’m A Lucky Guy **The Supersuckers** - Must Have Been High **The Handsome Family** - Through The Trees **Bughouse Five** - Dark Days Passing **The Asylum Street Spankers** - Spanker Madness **The Silver Hearts** - No Place [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-country-americana/214818.md?page=1)