Opinion? The Greatest Country Album of All Time

The only country albums I have are two Patsy Cline compilations.

Coincidentally I was watching the PBS American Masters doc of The Highwaymen last night.

American Masters - A series examining the lives, works, and creative processes of outstanding artists. »

 

Both decent albums, but far, far too long.

 

Completely agree - I cut "God Made Woman" and "Raise the Barn" from the Keith Urban album for just that reason.
Plus they are awful songs.
It made for a much better album.
You're welcome, Keith.

 

I'm no fan of country, but I think Satan is Real is kinda cool (the cover helps too).

 

In truth, one of her poppier albums, but it's still great.

 

I think you could include most of George's 80s and 90s albums at the very least.

 

George was much more of a singles artist than album artist.....but then again, he could sing a Chili's menu and I'd buy it.

 

I agree, he released some prime albums during those decades, but there's something about "Troubadour" that has a special feel to it and I would easily say it's his best album of the 2000's.

 

I really liked his 90s albums like Easy Come Easy Go, Blue Clear Sky and Carrying Your Love With Me.

 

Those 3 are great, especially "Blue Clear Sky" even if only for "I Can Still Make Cheyenne".

I think when "Easy Come, Easy Go" came out, he was in his prime and really with any release from there up through his latest "Cold Beer Conversation" you could go and purchase the new George Strait album with the confidence that there wouldn't be a bad song on it. While some albums are better than others, I can't say that he's released an album that I would consider bad.

 

Honky Tonk Heroes

 

Is it better than, Last Of The True Believers?

 

It's perhaps slightly poppier than LOTTB. It's not like Shania Twain or anything, though.

Late Night Grande Hotel is another good 0ne.

 

Lots of suggestions here to keep me going for awhile. Thanks for the input. Keep them coming.

 

I'm curious as to the Nashville purist opinion of Iris DeMent. @dumangl? @czeskleba? Is she a country artist? A "folk" artist? I have even seen her albums placed in the "bluegrass" section, and she is definitely not a bluegrass artist. In any event, her album My Life from 1994 is definitely my favorite album of this type and it's my nomination. I would even say "the greatest I've heard" if I were sure that it was superior to her other albums, such as Sing the Delta or Lifeline or The Trackless Woods.

 

Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline"

 

A really nice album.

 

Personally I will disqualify any hits album. While I confess to having a personal animus towards Mr. Brooks, I will put any of his first three albums into the running. Amazing production and A&R. Start to finish just great country songs and not a clinker in the bunch.

 

Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colors

 

Tom T. Hall's In Search of a Song is excellent.

 

Kristofferson - Me and Bobby McGee
Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels
Emmylou Harris - Pieces of the Sky

 

Johnny Cash: Ride This Train
Johnny Cash: Bitter Tears
Johnny Cash: Hello, I'm Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash: American Recordings

Willie Nelson: Yesterday's Wine
Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson: Sings Kristofferson
Willie Nelson: Across The Borderline
Willie Nelson: Spirit
Willie Nelson: Teatro

Waylon Jennings: Waylon Live
Waylon Jennings: Honky Tonk Heroes

Emmylou Harris: Roses In The Snow
Emmylou Harris: Wrecking Ball

Kris Kristofferson: Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson: Silver Tongued Devil
Kris Kristofferson: Austin Sessions

Jerry Lee Lewis: Another Place, Another Time
Jerry Lee Lewis: Southern Roots

John Prine: In Spite of Our Selves
John Prine: 1st album
John Prine: Aimless Love