Yeah, you are most certainly right. as I said, I'm pretty crap at assigning genres. Is JJ Cale not country rock? he plays some. yes Jason Isbell. What about Chris Whitley, Mellancamp, Seeger, Springsteen? Yes I know, I'm blurring genres. What are their UK equivalent that have been reviewed?Just had a Quick Look down the list an there’s probably not as many as you think.
Mellencamp isn’t really country so Jason Isbell is the only one in the top 50. Little Feat are a band in that genre and are also in the top 50.
Great nomination. I think Copperhead Road is his best, but his first 3 major label albums, starting with this, then Exit 0 and then Copperhead Road, all in the space of two years launched a major new talent onto the scene.
Obviously I know the album well but I'll have a few listens before I post my thoughts.
EDIT: Oh, and about time that Steve Earle got nominated here, so well done.
I would say all those artists fit in to the all encompassing Americana genre, but they’re not country as such.Yeah, you are most certainly right. as I said, I'm pretty crap at assigning genres. Is JJ Cale not country rock? he plays some. yes Jason Isbell. What about Chris Whitley, Mellancamp, Seeger, Springsteen? Yes I know, I'm blurring genres. What are their UK equivalent that have been reviewed?
It's interesting because Steve Earle definitely came from a country base whereas Springsteen was rock yet they probably both ended up in more or less the same place.Yeah, you are most certainly right. as I said, I'm pretty crap at assigning genres. Is JJ Cale not country rock? he plays some. yes Jason Isbell. What about Chris Whitley, Mellancamp, Seeger, Springsteen? Yes I know, I'm blurring genres. What are their UK equivalent that have been reviewed?
A bit like the Wurzels then? ;)It's interesting because Steve Earle definitely came from a country base whereas Springsteen was rock yet they probably both ended up in more or less the same place.
Obviously all of the artists you mention have an element of country or maybe the odd song that is influenced by country, but by and large they are a combination of multiple genres - Chris Whitley being very hard to pin down to one genre. An this is where Americana is different to country - the former encompassing the latter as one of it's main components.
I know I keep banging on about this, but the thing about John Mellencamp's The Lonesome Jubilee is that he's playing 80s hooks and grooves on Appalachian instruments - that's what makes that album so unique and special, but taking his career as a whole, he's definitely more or a pop/rock singer that has a rustic edge (and sings about the concerns of farmers!)
I think you (and others) have successfully proven that there is not an over emphasis of American male country singers on this thread. Thank you for putting right an old git who is not that competent with 'genre politics'. I shall now look forward to listening to Steve Earle.It's interesting because Steve Earle definitely came from a country base whereas Springsteen was rock yet they probably both ended up in more or less the same place.
Obviously all of the artists you mention have an element of country or maybe the odd song that is influenced by country, but by and large they are a combination of multiple genres - Chris Whitley being very hard to pin down to one genre. An this is where Americana is different to country - the former encompassing the latter as one of it's main components.
I know I keep banging on about this, but the thing about John Mellencamp's The Lonesome Jubilee is that he's playing 80s hooks and grooves on Appalachian instruments - that's what makes that album so unique and special, but taking his career as a whole, he's definitely more or a pop/rock singer that has a rustic edge (and sings about the concerns of farmers!)
I have three basic genres - like it, hate it and put up with it. Seems to work for me :)I think you (and others) have successfully proven that there is not an over emphasis of American male country singers on this thread. Thank you for putting right an old git who is not that competent with 'genre politics'. I shall now look forward to listening to Steve Earle.
nice one. I'm hopeless. My god I can't identify my Americana from my progressive country from my outlaw country from my folk.I have three basic genres - like it, hate it and put up with it. Seems to work for me :)
Mellencamp started out as pop (rock) and morphed into whatever you want to call his style, which I definitely think influenced Steve Earle.It's interesting because Steve Earle definitely came from a country base whereas Springsteen was rock yet they probably both ended up in more or less the same place.
Obviously all of the artists you mention have an element of country or maybe the odd song that is influenced by country, but by and large they are a combination of multiple genres - Chris Whitley being very hard to pin down to one genre. An this is where Americana is different to country - the former encompassing the latter as one of it's main components.
I know I keep banging on about this, but the thing about John Mellencamp's The Lonesome Jubilee is that he's playing 80s hooks and grooves on Appalachian instruments - that's what makes that album so unique and special, but taking his career as a whole, he's definitely more or a pop/rock singer that has a rustic edge (and sings about the concerns of farmers!)