What is it about Country Music? I was with some very old friends the other night and (towards the end of the evening) my good pal Eddie did his Glasgow version of On The Bayou…..it’s a Mickey take of us middle class types leading to the refrain, “In Milngavie -oh.” (readers in non Glasgow places need to note that the above suburb is pronounced Milguy) On reflection I realise that everyone in these parts assumes everyone else has a fair to middling knowledge of the genre. There’s very few households in these parts that couldn’t furnish you with a Hank Williams compilation if they had to find it in a hurry.
This week The Guardian ran a fascinating piece about Route 66 which carried John Steinbeck’s fictional Joad family from Oklahoma from the dust bowl to The Promised Land of California. In the article, Chris McGreal discovers how, even now, the route is lined with disappointment and visceral signs of the current recession: foreclosed banks, repossessed houses and failed enterprises form a backdrop to America’s most famous road. It’s in this environment that County Music finds its true context by allowing the stories of every day folk to be told. John Rich’s song, “Shutting Detroit Down” has become this year’s big country song by telling the story of corporate bonus culture coupled to industry’s affection for mass-redundancy. None of that would surprise fans of Merle Haggard.
So county music still lives in the hearts of ordinary people and perhaps that’s why, here in Scotland, it’s still very popular. Starting on September 1st we will celebrate that popularity by showcasing music from many different decades as well as playing new releases which have taken that music as an inspiration.
This Tuesday look out for our exclusive session from Grizzly Bear and new album tracks from The Felice Brothers, The Low Anthem, Nanci Griffith and George Strait. If that isn’t enough we have some great Country duets which will may well inspire you to send in some suggestions of your own.
Great looking show Ricky – looking forward to the new series very much. A “hard times” themed show would be very appropriate at the moment and undoubtedly would have some great material!
For duets can I get in early with a couple of suggestions:
John Hiatt & Roseanne Cash – The way We Mend a Broken Heart
Mary Chapin Carpeneter & Shawn Colvin – Someday
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard – Pancho & Lefty
Kathy Mattea & Jackson Browne – Rock Me On The Water
Listening to the program while working, as usual, but also read the “blurb” above which is also on the BBC website.
You are so on target and thanks for the heads up on the Guardian article.
Problem is, and you have been abused by my thoughts on radio in the USA, that too many Americans do not know who Merle Haggard is other than his Monday night football anthems. And the only Hank Williams they relate to is Jr.
Commercial radio over here plays CDs and broadcasts commercials. There is no discussion. Most people do not understand the roots of our music. I know you are aware of the National Public Radio system that is anchored in our college and university program; that is the only access to music with intelligent discussion.
You call it “Americana” and that is what we should be at least subliminally aware of today.
Like most things, it is not our. Everything “American(a)” has roots in other cultures.
Putting the soapbox away….gotta go write about hurricane Jemina that is heading our way. Yes, even Arizona is vulnerable.
Peace
Listening to the show in catch-up mode this week, sadly, but great stuff as always. Particularly enjoyed some of the duets – you can’t go wrong with Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris and any duet involving Dolly Parton – but some great suggestions from Norrie too.
I could add “One Cool Remove” from Mary Chapin Carpenter & Shawn Colvin but “Someday” is a song that was something of an anthem to me a number of years back, so that song’s a fine choice.