10 Essential Albums for Your Americana Collection

I want to get some ideas of great albums that every fan of the genre - slippery to define though it may be - shouldn't be without. I grew up with a lot of old country but really don't know where to go from there.

Views: 3813

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TwangNation.com on December 10, 2011 at 9:36am

This is a well-worn topic in there parts. Here's a primer: http://goo.gl/fi0sF

Much of what you enjoyed you'll also find within many Americana/roots/alt.country bands/performers.

Maybe we need an official list in the ND FAQs?

Personally my gateway drug was Townes Van Zandt.

Have fun exploring!

Permalink Reply by Diana Price on December 10, 2011 at 10:19am

Great thread  - thanks for the link!

Permalink Reply by steviedal on December 12, 2011 at 10:25am

I'll add this one to the list - Photographs by Robert Ellis.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Smith on January 10, 2012 at 5:29am

Townes is a great place to start. Everybody has probably seen the episode of Austin City limits Dedicated to Townes, and the guests on that show are some of my favorites. I have no Sattelite(?) radio, so I feel behind the times when it comes to who I listen to but Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and Steve Earle are a few.

p.S.....iWOULD NEVER FORGIVE MYSELF IF i DIDN'T MENTION THOSE PSYCHADELIC, TRAVELING TROUBADORS; The Good Ol' Grateful Dead.......

Permalink Reply by Joshua Sanders on March 18, 2012 at 11:09am

in agreement on Townes!! Esp "Love at the Old Quarter"...

Permalink Reply by Rick Fulton on December 12, 2011 at 11:45am

Anything by Ray Wylie Hubbard

Permalink Reply by Rick Fulton on December 12, 2011 at 11:45am

Anything by Ray Wylie Hubbard

Permalink Reply by Tex Merlot on December 19, 2011 at 10:01am

Bare Jr-  "Bootay"  is definitely one i would recommend

Permalink Reply by Randy Brown on December 20, 2011 at 11:20am

This would make a nice AltCountry starter six-pack:

 

Son Volt:  "Trace"

Jayhawks:  "Hollywood Town Hall"

Southern Culture On The Skids:  "Dirt Track Date"

Bottle Rockets:  "The Brooklyn Side"

Blue Mountain:  "Dog Days"

The Refreshments:  "Fizzy, Fizzy, Big And Buzzy"

Permalink Reply by Brian Morris on January 8, 2012 at 10:49pm

 

Anything by ...

 

The Jayhawks

Wilco

Patty Griffin

Drive-by Truckers

Lucinda Williams

Alison Krauss

Ryan Adams

 

Permalink Reply by ron victor on January 9, 2012 at 12:07pm

well my definition of americana is a bit different than most so my list would be something like this

all would be the most comprehensive/ bang for the buck box set or compilations i could get by the following:

chuck berry

louis jordan

bill haley

eddie cochran

elvis

gene vincent

waylon

johnny cash

sun records

chess records

willie dixon

muddy waters

there are some great early country and early rock n roll, early rockabilly box sets available fairly inexpensively

there are some fantastic box sets made by a british company called "proper"

you could also look into the great garage rock made in the sixties by bands such as the sonics, trashmen, nashvill teens, on and on

then theres early do- wop, big bands, etc

thats all my americana 

Permalink Reply by Christopher Smith on January 10, 2012 at 5:34am

I don't know what the guidelines for "Americana" are but I think the beauty of it (and music in general) is that it is different for every individual. I like your brand of Americana........

RSS

Sponsors


If you enjoy this site please consider helping us with a small donation!

Don't like PayPal? Mail a check to: No Depression, PO Box 31332, Seattle, WA 98103

Notes

FAQ

Created by No Depression Feb 17, 2009 at 9:06pm. Last updated by No Depression Apr 9.