The Southern/Country Rock Thread

[Jagger69]

As has been so vividly pointed out by some on this forum in recent days, I am one of the most senior members on this (ahem!) illustrious board. Aside from the obvious common interest in porn, I'm not totally certain I have a whole lot in common with the majority of current members here. As a test of this notion, I'm establishing this retro-oriented thread that would beg the response from anyone who might share my passion for the Southern/Country Rock music genre (these days, it's referred to more as Americana). Personally, I eschew the present version of mainstream Nashville Country as if it were the plague. With a few exceptions, most of it is mass-produced hot garbage in my book. Likewise, most of the great southern rock bands have either folded, died or continue to tour as mere throwback facsimiles of their former selves. However, there was a golden age in time back in the 1970s, 80s and even a bit into the 90s when country and rock came together in a most magnificent way....mixing the basic roots of the old delta blues with elements of bluegrass, folk, classic country and rock 'n' roll to create a most unique sound that still remains my favorite type of music to this day. This genre is so wide that it includes offerings from such diverse artists as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon Jennings, Steve Earle, Travis Tritt and the Eagles.

Anyone else here have a penchant for Southern/Country rock? If so, who are some of your favorite artists and their works? Here's just a quick example from a band that was way underrated in my book but whose music was on the same talent and quality level of any of the great Southern bands you can name:

 

[Mr. Hyde]

I grew up and live in the American south. This music was anthemic in my upbringing.

 

[Elwood70]

First things first: The guy that almost single-handedly created "Southern Rock" with this:


...and later, with the band he founded (June 27, 1971, at the Fillmore East, to be exact):


...and a joke, stolen from the comments:

So there's this obscure studio musician who dies and goes to heaven. And he spends all day going through the orientation, filling out forms, being issued living quarters, a harp, and wings. But the angel who is assigned as his guide is cool, and they let him trade the harp for a guitar when he asks, so it's not all bad.

At the end of the day, when orientation is all over, the angel asks if he has any questions, and the musician says, "Yeah, I have one question. All day long I've been hearing this awesome slide guitar very faintly, like off in the distance, and I just have to ask. That's Duane Allman, right?"

The angel rolls his eyes and replies, "No, that's God. He just thinks he's Duane Allman"

 

[ThatRedWing]

I consider the Allman Brothers Band the measuring stick as far as the sheer brilliance of their musicianship. Duane was in a class by himself on guitar but Dickey Betts and then later Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks were all top notch pickers. Gregg is one of the greatest singers of any genre ever and Berry Oakley was just a complete badass on bass. The interplay between Jaimoe and Butch was masterful. '70's Era Charlie Daniels Band was highly diverse and some great albums. The Marshall Tucker Band was almost a straight country band and the songwriting was incredible. Lynyrd Skynyrd was just a great "Rock" band. Anybody that all their stuff sounds the same needs to check out some of their album tracks. They did stuff that covered everything from hard rock (On The Hunt) to country ( All I Can Do Is Write It In A Song) to blues ( Cheatin' Woman).

 

[Mr. Daystar]

I think I've made both my opinions towards this genre, but more so, Duane and Dicky quite clear.

 

[sean miguel]

does Kid Rock count?

I like his song "All Summer Long" which Lynyrd Skynyrd sampled from.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

 

[D-rock]

With a few exceptions, most of it is mass-produced hot garbage in my book.

Once in a while they will have a country music station playing in the background where I work, and as far as I can tell it seems most of the new country songs are really just pop songs disguised by being sung with a southern drawl.

 

[L3ggy]

I can't that I'm that well-versed in Southern Rock, but I do enjoy bands like Lynyrd and ZZ Top. My favourite being I Need You.

 

[Jagger69]

First things first: The guy that almost single-handedly created "Southern Rock" with this:

...and later, with the band he founded (June 27, 1971, at the Fillmore East, to be exact):

...and a joke, stolen from the comments:

Nice Wilson Pickett connection. :thumbsup: The Allman Brothers place in the history of the genre is unsurpassed. The God joke is a classic. Thanks, amigo!

I consider the Allman Brothers Band the measuring stick as far as the sheer brilliance of their musicianship. Duane was in a class by himself on guitar but Dickey Betts and then later Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks were all top notch pickers. Gregg is one of the greatest singers of any genre ever and Berry Oakley was just a complete badass on bass. The interplay between Jaimoe and Butch was masterful. '70's Era Charlie Daniels Band was highly diverse and some great albums. The Marshall Tucker Band was almost a straight country band and the songwriting was incredible. Lynyrd Skynyrd was just a great "Rock" band. Anybody that all their stuff sounds the same needs to check out some of their album tracks. They did stuff that covered everything from hard rock (On The Hunt) to country ( All I Can Do Is Write It In A Song) to blues ( Cheatin' Woman).

All true. There were so many watershed moments that led to the advent of Southern/Country Rock. When Dylan went electric, when Willie and Waylon split with the Nashville establishment to form the Outlaw movement, early folk-rock artists like Gram Parsons, Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, New Riders of the Purple Sage, John Prine, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Jerry Jeff Walker. There was also a time when a little band that originally backed up Linda Ronstadt before the Stone Ponies later went on to the become the Eagles. Rockabilly pioneers like Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins were big influences. Johnny Cash, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle....man, the list goes on and on. Good stuff and glad there seem to be at least a few of us here who are like minded! Thanks!!

Does Alt Country count?

Are you kidding?? It's the present-day evolution of the genre. AKA "Americana".

BTW, nice touch with the Black Oak Arkansas reference, Dino! :clap:

 

[Jagger69]

does Kid Rock count?

I like his song "All Summer Long" which Lynyrd Skynyrd sampled from.

Sure it does as long as you give proper credit to the late, great Warren Zevon in the process (much closer to Werewolves of London than any Sweet Home Alabama reference if you actually listen to the piano riff but a nice blend of the two at the end of the day. Plus, he's buddies with Hank Jr. so you get brownie points for that. I like it too! :thumbsup:

 

[Jagger69]

Eddy Shaver leaned to play the guitar from Dickie Betts. He was a pretty good student as it turned out....God rest his soul.

 

[BlkHawk]

No Blackberry Smoke? They are newer than most listed and I rather like them.

Nice link to Molly Hatchet Dino.

 

[Jagger69]

No Blackberry Smoke? They are newer than most listed and I rather like them.

There is now! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Love 'em!! :thumbsup:

I'd rep you if the Freeones police would let me. Let's face it....anyone can sing the praises of Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers. A true fan knows where and how to tout less obvious talent. You just did.

 

[BlkHawk]

There is now! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Love 'em!! :thumbsup:

I'd rep you if the Freeones police would let me. Let's face it....anyone can sing the praises of Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers. A true fan knows where and how to tout less obvious talent. You just did.

Thanks! That is from their first album Little Pieces of Dixie 2009. Their new album is Holding All the Roses 2015, and is good as well. I have two others in addition to that but the two listed are my favorites.

You might like Alabama Shakes they are a bit more bluesy, with a touch Southern Rock to my ears. Debut album is Boys & Girls 2012, their new one is actually up for Grammy album of the year next week Sound & Color. That album is less Southern, and I don't care for it as much.

 

[John_8581]

Before you had the Allman Brothers (Duane and Gregg) and the Winter Brothers (Johnny and Edgar) and their bands, you had one of the places where they played...

The Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in a small Alabama town, called Sheffield.

Some of the other session players. :clap: playing on a jam session of the Allman Brothers "Statesboro Blues"



Peter Yarrow, of Peter Paul and Mary, talking about Paul Simon's "Kodachrome" done there with the Swampers. Peter later talks about Mary McGregor ...



Aretha Franklin and MS session player Duane Allman (slide on a Fender Dobro guitar) - The Band's "Weight" and "It Ain't Fair" (on a Les Paul)



Several tracks of Duane Allman's Anthology and Anthology II were done with Muscle Shoals session players ...

 

[ThatRedWing]

There are a few more names that should be mentioned. Delbert McClinton, The Black Crowes, Outlaws, Little Feat and The Kentucky Headhunters all can be included under the Southern Rock banner. You also have Pure Prairie League, The Amazing Rhythm Aces and The Atlanta Rhythm Section that all had short runs as well.

 

[Rey C.]

:banger:

 

[Jagger69]

There are a few more names that should be mentioned. Delbert McClinton, The Black Crowes, Outlaws, Little Feat and The Kentucky Headhunters all can be included under the Southern Rock banner. You also have Pure Prairie League, The Amazing Rhythm Aces and The Atlanta Rhythm Section that all had short runs as well.

For sure, great names! Love me some Delbert! It ain't just southern, it's country as well. .38 Special, Government Mule, Elvin Bishop, David Allan Coe, Hank Williams, Jr., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Georgia Satellites, Poco, John Denver, The Byrds, Confederate Railroad, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Alabama, Warren Haynes, The Band, Hayes Carll, Willie & Waylon, Dwight Yoakum....shit the list is endless as the crossover between rock 'n' roll and country becomes more and more blended. Take this song by Dwight Yoakum....it could be either rock or country (or maybe "country rock"??) depending on your viewpoint.

 

[Supafly]

I am posting the too obvious, I think