Country Singers

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 12:16 am

Here is a ranked listing of my twelve favourite country music singers:

12. Janie Fricke
11. Dottie West
10. Bill Anderson
9. Barbara Mandrell
8. George Strait
7. Waylon Jennings
6. Billie Jo Spears
5. Tanya Tucker
4. Don Williams
3. Merle Haggard
2. Dolly Parton
1. Crystal Gayle

Perhaps I'm forgetting someone, but it's a good group of 12. My favourite period for country music was the 1970s. Except for George Strait, I don't care for any of the current crop of country singers. But he's a veteran now. I find it interesting that Don Williams and Billie Jo Spears are probably more popular in the UK than in the United States. It's great to hear Billie Jo Spears played often on Sarah Kennedy's programme.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:42 am

Hi Paul---how about Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Emmy Lou Harris, Kathy Mattea.

I l;ike all those.

Marian

Hilary · Post by **Hilary** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:50 am

Hi Paul,

Thank you for letting us know your favourite country singers.
I too like Dolly Parton. She is just an amazing singer/songwriter.
Not only that, but she is such a great live performer as well.

I agree with you about most of the newer country artists.
They do tend to sound the same don't they?!

Mary Chapin Carpenter and Mindy Smith are very good.
They are both very good songwriters as well.
I have a CD by Mary called, "Between here and gone" and the songs on here just blow me away with the very depth of her songwriting and delivery of each song.

Mindy is a new singer but already she is gaining ground both here and in her native US. She has already performed a duet with Dolly and the great Ms. Parton has tipped her for the top! Not bad I think.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:18 pm

I knew I had forgotten someone. Emmylou Harris should be between # 6 and 7; thanks for the reminder Marian. I also forgot Patty Loveless---a real traditional country singer and a favourite of Dolly Parton. And how did I forget Ernest Tubb---my favourite old timer? And I like many songs (from the 1960s and 1970s) by Johnny Cash. I'll stop now!

I have read many great reviews of Mindy Smith, but have never heard anything by here. I will have to check her out. Kathy Mattea is an excellent singer, but her songs don't appeal to me. I don't care much for the other singers mentioned.

I agree with Hilary; the new singers all tend to sound the same.

I've seen Dolly Parton several times in concert. Yes, she puts on an excellent live show. But nothing can compare to your Gabrielle; what a wonderful songwriter, singer, and live performer!

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:31 pm

Yes Paul, but Gabrielle is not a so called "country singer" more of a R&B or soul singer

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:57 pm

Yes, I realize that Gabrielle is a pop, soul, and R&B singer. I was just noting that she was outstanding live and more enjoyable than Dolly Parton. Also, her last album, Play To Win, had a distinct country feel to it.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:02 pm

Hi all--the only reasn I know Kathy Mattea is a song she sang that I heard on the radio, called "Where've you been"--I later managed to get a "Greatest Hits Cd" that included this song---it is such a sad sad song---about an old couple , who became ill, and had to go into hospital, and were split up for the first time in their lives---as the song goes--
"In separate rooms on different floors", and when they finally take her in a wheelchair down to see her husband---he says to her "Where've you been". It makes me cry every time I hear it. It is a true tearjerker.

Marian

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:12 pm

Hi , did any of you ever hear any of the albums called "Trios" there were about 3 of them, and included Emmy Lou Harries, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronsdadt. singing together. And Emmy Lou Harries singing "Here There and Everywhere" is just brilliant.

Linda Ronstadt herself made a set of 3 cd's , under the title of "Round Midnight" , with Nelson Riddle, and she sings a great selection of old standard songs--a really terrific set of cd's--I love them.

Marian

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 9:35 am

Hi Marian

I have heard all 3 CDs by Linda and I quite enjoy the 3rd one. The first one has her blaring "What's New" with little subtlety. The 2nd one put me to sleep despite the beautiful Nelson Riddle arrangements. However I enjoyed the 3rd one and so this is the only one I have not given away.

I have a Linda Ronstadt boxset for 3 years which I have not finished playing.
Some of her songs are touching like Desperado and I Never Will Marry.

Hilary · Post by **Hilary** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:22 am

Hi Paul and everyone,

Talking of country singers, I'm sure I heard on the radio recently that Kenny Rogers will be touring the UK sometime in the Autumn.
I think that he hasn't toured for a while so I guess that a lot of his fans will have the chance to see him perform live again!

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:44 am

That's right Hilary. Kenny Rogers begins his tour in October beginning in Glasgow then Dublin and Belfast, Newcastle Sheffield and Wembley Arena and finishing in Nottingham.

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:37 pm

Is it true that Kenny had botched plastic surgery resulting in a new look since his eyes are stretched too tight? He certainly looks different on the cover of his new EMI CD.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:57 pm

Hello everyone. I don't know about that Terence, but MY favourite Kenny Rogers song is "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" from the late 60's, which was not long after I got into music, and Kennys song and Glen Campbells "Witcheta Linesman" were particular favourites of mine

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:55 pm

We're not sure about Kenny Rogers and his face lift either Terence, but another song added to Robert's 1977 "You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me Lucille."

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 3:42 am

I agree Robert that Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town is his best. Ken Bruce played it the other day. It sounded as good as when I first heard it in 1968. A runner up is She Believes In Me. It's another one of those songs that I've heard loads of times, but still like it. I also liked his duets with Dottie West, especially Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight and Everytime Two Fools Collide.

My co-workers thought Kenny Rogers' plastic surgery looked odd when he appeared on American Idol season 5.

I agree Marian that the Linda Ronstadt albums with Nelson Riddle are excellent. They really got me interested in discovering standards and especially the Rodgers & Hart catalogue. My favourites are You Took Advantage Of Me, Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry, It Never Entered My Mind, and My Funny Valentine with its interesting string quartet arrangement. I have a concert she did with Nelson Riddle on an old Beta tape; I'll probably never be able to watch it again. In the middle, she sang Louis Jordan songs with a pianist and three other singers --- just fabulous.

I never got interested in the Trio albums because each song featured a lead singer. I was hoping for a three part blend.

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