Hey, I’m not all Prius and no hat, or cattle, or whatever. (I do have a cowboy hat and will wear it in public with you if you annoy me). But, you know, I WAS born in Tucson, and I’ve only ever lived in the west, and my maternal roots are in Little Rock, and my mother and Emmylou Harris looked alike on Emmylou’s Angel Band CD. I’m not just a one-punk-note Sally . . .
Not that — conspicuous nod to Sally — I wouldn’t relish a little punk passion in my country music. I find today’s slickly produced jingoistic swagger not only not pleasant, but not country. Nonetheless, I was so taken by Rick Perry’s accent that it made me think of Leon Russell’s twang, which led me to a wasted afternoon, although I really am making a killer cioppino, of YouTube-ing my favorite country classics.
There will not be one song on here by anyone born after about 1960, nor who performs at NRA events in a cowboy hat, nor who is named Toby Keith and promoted by G. Gordon Liddy. Promise. And so, in no particular order, are my Ten Favorite Country Songs:
1. If You Needed Me, Emmylou Harris with Don Williams (sniff!)
2. Goodnight Irene, Leon Russell
3. Telephone Road, Steve Earle
4. Don’t Toss Us Away, Maria McKee, who, along with Emmylou Harris, could make me buy a recording of her singing from the label of a shampoo bottle . . . and with Emmylou, I’d buy the DVD, having seen her in concert four times and wishing it were more . . .
5. Green Pastures, Emmylou Harris with Ricky Skaggs
6. Queen Of The Silver Dollar, Dr. Hook version, for which I feel really guilty and am thus duly chastened.
7. Leanin’ On The Everlastin’ Arms, Iris DeMent, who otherwise is an acquired taste I have yet to, uh, actually acquire.
8. Folsom Prison Blues, Johnny Cash
8. Before The Next Teardrop Falls, Baldemar Huerta (you knew him as Freddy Fender)
9. Western Dreams, Ranch Romance
10. Rosewood Casket, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt
I Fall to Pieces …Patsy Cline???
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2011 @ 7:03 pm
I do love it — and it would’ve made a Top Twenty, although I prefer “Walkin’ at Midnight” by the divine Miz Cline. Or “Crazy,” which I think showcases her voice so well.
Comment by Keely Emerine-Mix — December 13, 2011 @ 11:44 pm