Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

Not a massive fan of much Country & Western but can recommend the following.

Townes Van Zandt- Just a fantastic songwriter. Heard him called a country Leonard Cohen before (not sure if that would put anyone off). The Texas Troubadour box set is pretty cheap and contains all his best stuff (first 7 albums).

Think someone else mentioned Lee Hazlewood. He is a total one off and recommend Cowboy In Sweden and Requiem For an Almost Lady (the latter is the best break up album ever!)

Here's No Train To Stockholm from Cowboy In Sweden inspired by moving his family to Sweden to stop his son being drafted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_c8pO1aHPw

Also recommend Will Oldham. He's released loads of stuff under various names but still think his best is Bonnie Prince Billy's I See A Darkness

I despise modern Country, and find it to be hokey & phony.
To my ears country is mostly blues without the soul.

that said, there are a few artists in the country genre that rise above.
I enjoy:
Lyle Lovett (I especially love "I love Everybody" -1994)

Lucinda Williams - her slow druggy drawl grabs me...dig "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road)

Alison Krauss - anything she sings is pristine and pure...even her religious songs go down with ease...she is a gift

Sturgil Simpson - Turtles All The Way Down...a video ALL must see!!!!

Steve Earle - he's great

the stuff I like veers more towards a Folk feel, than straight up country....but its what I enjoy.


I can tolerate a little Dwight Yokum


Johnny Cash - naturally, but he's just a bad-ass that transcends genre