50 Americana/AltCountry Songs I Want Everyone To Hear

I borrowed the idea and format for this thread from SynthFreek(thanks!).

I'm hoping to not only promote discuddion among Americana lovers, but also maybe guide some folks who may not be familiar with this genre to some great music.

Just as SynthFreek did with 50 Rock SOngs I Want Everyone To Hear, I'll post the first song and wait for any discussion to die down before posting the next.

Hope y'all enjoy!

 

1. Son Volt: "Windfall"

 

Now and then it keeps you running
It never seems to die
The trial's spent with fear
Not enough living on the outside
...
[Moderator: Edited out complete lyrics quote of "Windfall" by Son Volt]

 

One of the great songs from one of the great albums - good start! I find this song pretty much perfect.

 

This is a good song , not a great one in my opinion ''sorry Randy'', the fiddle playing and arrangement are cool though.

 

Well, we can't all love the same things, right? After all, you like the new Alabama Shakes album . . . .


Seriously, though, I do love this song. The melancholy opening, the way it evokes(for me) the feeling of being on the open road. I love the way the lyrics are resigned, nostalgic and optimistic all at the same time. That's a Hell of a trick to pull off, IMO.

And, the fiddle IS way cool . . .

 

Windfall is flawless. If you hadn't started the thread off with it, I would have submitted it. "Catching an all night station, somewhere in Louisiana...." I never fail to sing along with this part.

 

Excellent song but hardly #1 Americana IMO. The petal steel on this is subdued but awesome!

 

2. Doc Watson: "Columbus Stockade"

 

Way down in Columbus Georgia
Lord I wish I was back in Tennessee
Way down in that old Columbus Stockade
My friends all have turned their back on me.
[Moderator: Edited out complete lyrics quote of "Columbus Stockade"]

 

Steve Earle, "Guitar Town"

 

Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams, "You're Still Standing There"

 

Gram Parsons (with Emmylou Harris), "Return of the Grievous Angel"

 

Dave Alvin, "4th of July"

 

Uncle Tupelo, with Doug Sahm, "Give Back the Key to My Heart"

 

Doug Sahm, "At the Crossroads"

 

Ray Wylie Hubbard, "Cooler than Hell"

 

Wow! I love this song! I've been a periphery fan of alt-country for a while now... I love Whiskeytown and Ryan Adams, but haven't delved much deeper than that. Great idea for a thread! I'll definitely be following it.

 

That one will definitely make the list.

 

John Stewart, "July You're a Woman" (entire Phoenix Concerts album is a classic!)

 

So will this one.

Some great choices, Gary.

 

Poco "Pickin' up the Pieces"

 

Michael (Martin) Murphey, Cosmic Cowboy

 

Guy Clark, "LA Freeway"

 

Wow! I am hearing this for the first time and really like it. As evidenced by the Americana Fans Unite thread, we all have different ideas of what falls under the genre mantle...so I was prepared to cast scorn (quietly, of course ) but THIS clearly fits the bill. A nice, though unexpected, #2.