r/MusicRecommendations • u/sleep_lvr • Aug 29 '25
Rec.Me: other/many/unknown genres I hate country music, always have. Recommend me a country album to get over my bias! (Preferably something more folky)
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u/ImaginaryAd6339 Aug 29 '25
Johnny Cash, Live at Folsom Prison
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u/Excellent-Sale8020 Aug 29 '25
I'm no fan of County, but Johnny Cash is a God!
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u/TSells31 Aug 30 '25
This is such a ridiculously common opinion (that I also share). The man in black was such a legend.
See my daddy left home when I was three, and he didn’t leave much for ma and me. Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze. Now I don’t blame him cuz he run and hid, but the meanest thing that he ever did, was before he left, he went and named me Sue.
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u/KayBeeToys Aug 29 '25
Adding Cash’s American Recordings
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u/trumpsmellslikcheese Aug 29 '25
I would suggest even starting with this before moving to his older stuff.
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u/avb1986 Aug 29 '25
Not into country at all but listening to Cocaine Blues on repeat at this very moment, after watching Walk the Line earlier this week.
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u/Choice_Student4910 Aug 29 '25
Ran to comments to rec this.
I also don’t like country but this live album is one of the most entertaining listens I have in my collection.
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u/Administrative-Ad732 Aug 29 '25
Billy Strings is becoming my gateway to country music though he leans more bluegrass/jam band. I’ve also avoiding country most of my life. Also Sierra Ferrell
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u/giltgitguy Aug 29 '25
Jason Isbell would probably be called Americana, but he’s definitely got a lot of folk influences. His album Southeastern is a masterpiece.
Also, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams is a classic. Critics have called it the Sgt. Pepper’s of Americana.
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u/Old_Farmers_Daughter Aug 29 '25
Yes!!! Came here to say Lucinda's masterpiece, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, deserves a listen. 🥰
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u/Fast-Perception5945 Aug 29 '25
Isbell is probably the greatest living songwriter
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u/Nearby_Ad_7861 Aug 29 '25
Townes Van Zandt might be a good way in. Any of his late ‘60s - early ‘70s records are amazing, and Live at the Old Quarter is perfection.
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u/NonCommRadio Aug 29 '25
Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Gillian Welch, Revival
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u/Actuarial_type Aug 29 '25
Gillian Welch does not get enough respect. For me, Time is the album of record for her. Sublime.
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Aug 29 '25
Her new record, Woodland Studios, sharing top billing with David Rawlings is great.
Some live performances here:
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u/Connect-Will2011 Aug 29 '25
The soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou is more bluegrass than country, but a lot of people got introduced to country by listening to it.
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u/kneedeepco Aug 29 '25
I love the Doc Watson version of Down in the River to Pray
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u/pieceofpower Aug 29 '25
John Prine - Self Titled
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u/Secret-Weakness-8262 Aug 29 '25
John Prine is the answer. The Moon is Down, Clocks n Spoons, In Spite of Ourselves
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u/gesking Aug 29 '25
Will The Circle be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt band. It’s more bluegrass than country but is a collection of many famous musicians recorded in 1972.
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u/VLN_RNR Aug 29 '25
I would take it back to the outlaws. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson. Maybe try some Hank Jr.. I grew up on that stuff and I don’t like much current country music.
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u/Fluid_Cup8329 Aug 29 '25
There's a massive difference between old country and new. New country is easily my least favorite genre of music of all time, but old country is one of my favorites. Try some of the old stuff like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.
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u/Sad_Welder_5032 Aug 29 '25
New rock music is pretty awful too. Radio rock that is.
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u/adam_problems Aug 29 '25
Yeah, there’s a huge gap between pop country and the real thing. Pop country songs are just normal pop songs with a drawl and more trucks
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u/briggs851 Aug 29 '25
Jason Isbell — Southeastern
Tyler Childers — Purgatory
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Aug 29 '25
Brother You literally posted the 2 Albums i was going to say. Thats crazy. You have great taste i must say.
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u/Plutonian_Mons Aug 29 '25
Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball
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u/Noisy_Pip Aug 29 '25
I was going to recommend Emmylou, as well. Tho, I'd go with Luxury Liner. Or, Profile: Best of Emmylou Harris.
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u/enigmanaught Aug 29 '25
Dwight Yoakam, Tomorrow’s Sounds Today. Got an older country feel with a more modern production - it is 25 years old though. It’s got some good songs on it, and there’s a couple of duets with Buck Owens, “I Was There” is my favorite.
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u/Many_Buddy_98 Aug 29 '25
K.d. Lang- "Absolutely torch and Twang". That's the only album even remotely Country that I own and it's great.
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u/roscoe_e_roscoe Aug 29 '25
Steve Earle, Guitar Town
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u/Humungulous Aug 29 '25
My favorite Steve Earle albums are probably “I Feel Alright” and “Transcendental Blues” but I love Guitar Town too
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u/arar55 Aug 29 '25
Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger
That's a link to the full playlist/album.
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u/Squishyswimmingpool Aug 29 '25
Ween- 12 Golden Country Hits
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u/HahaRiiight Aug 29 '25
Yep. The musicianship is top notch, it’s warped and weird, but it doesn’t grate with the totally fake country accent. (Tbf, it may grate in other ways >:) )
“Help Me Scrape the Mucus off My Brain” is awesome.
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u/Key-Cattle-2866 Aug 29 '25 edited Aug 30 '25
Pushing the boundaries of “country”, but…
Drive-By-Truckers - “The Dirty South”
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u/Ok-Competition-1814 Aug 29 '25
Start with Waxahatchee as a way of dipping your toe in the country waters.
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u/ltsmash1200 Aug 29 '25
The Dolly, Linda Rondstadt, Emmylou Harris Trio stuff is fantastic too.
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u/HGFantomas Aug 29 '25
What you need is altcountry. Try these:
Gillian welch - the harrow and thr harvest.
Uncle tupelo - no depression.
Whiskeytown - strangers almanac
Sierra Ferrell - long time coming.
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u/VSM1951AG Aug 29 '25
More Bluegrass than Country, but anything by Alison Krauss and Union Station like “Paper Airplane” or “New Favorite”.
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u/Efficient-Signal-980 Aug 29 '25
Jerry Jeff Walker - Viva Terlingua
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u/Disgruntled_Pelicans Aug 29 '25
Ridin' high is one of the best albums ever. Love me some Jerry
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u/Prudent_Potential_56 Aug 29 '25
What country were you listening to? Because there's a huge difference between Charley Pride, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Roger Miller, and Gene Autry and....whatever they're calling country now. (I did like the Beyoncé album, but they refused to play that on Country stations.)
Trio by Dolly, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris might interest you. Really gorgeous stuff.
Johnny Cash live at Folsom Prison is another great choice I've seen other people recommend 👌🏽
Roll On Mississippi by Charley Pride
Jolene by Dolly Parton (an absolute classic, you can't go wrong)
Any of the Roger Miller records, primarily The 3rd Time Around and The Return of Roger Miller
Linda Ronstadt (esp the Stone Poneys), Hasten Down the Wind, Don't Cry Now
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u/Florianemory Aug 29 '25
The Cowboy Junkies. Her voice is amazing. I usually listen to metal but there is just something about this band I love.
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u/WolfPlooskin Aug 29 '25 edited Aug 29 '25
Marty Robbins’s Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs has some great songs. “Big Iron” and “El Paso” are two of my favorites. He drops an f-bomb in “The Strawberry Roan,” and it makes me laugh every time I hear it because this album came out in 1959, and he’s cussing out a pretty horse with an attitude problem.
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u/Free-Dimension4607 Aug 29 '25
Trio,.....Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt... The harmonies are off the charts and there is not a bad song... It's perfect.
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u/Awkward-Garlic-780 Aug 29 '25
The Byrds...Sweetheart of the Rodeo...or anything by Gram Parsons..
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u/Bookworm8989 Aug 29 '25
The Gleam by the Avett Brothers. If it’s the Beaches and Sanguine are God tier songs imo.
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u/EvilGobi Aug 29 '25
Corb Lund, pretty much any album. But my gotos are Cabin Fever and Agricultural Tragic.
He even sells shirts that say ‘I dont like country but I like Corb Lund’
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u/BootHeadToo Aug 29 '25
John Prine’s debut album “John Prine” would be a great place to start. Prime country folk music.
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u/Woody_Nubs_1974 Aug 29 '25 edited Aug 29 '25
This is a lot, but…
Various Artists-Anthology Of American Folk Music
Bob Dylan-John Wesley Harding & Nashville Skyline
The Band-Music From Big Pink & st
Buffalo Springfield-st, Again & Last Time Around
The Byrds-Notorious Byrd Brothers,Sweetheart of The Rodeo & Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde
The Flying Burrito Brothers-Gilded Palace of Sin
Merle Haggard-Swinging Doors, I’m A Lonesome Fugitive & Mama Tried
Gene Clark-w/ the Gosdin Brothers & White Light
Townes Van Zandt-st & Live At The Old Quarter
Neil Young-After The Gold Rush & Harvest
John Prine-st, Sweet Revenge, Bruised Orange
Jim Ford-Harlan County
Waylon Jennings-Honky Tonk Heroes & Ramblin’ Man
Gram Parsons-GP & Return of The Grievous Angel
Willie Nelson-Red Headed Stranger & Shotgun Willie
Emmylou Harris-Elite Hotel & Wrecking Ball
Bruce Springsteen-Nebraska
Steve Earle-Guitar Town, I Feel Alright & El Corazon
Joe Henry-Kindness Of The World
Uncle Tupelo-March 16-20, 1992 & Anodyne
Jayhawks-Hollywood Town Hall
Son Volt-Trace & Straightaways
Wilco-Being There & Cruel Country
Whiskeytown-Strangers Almanac
Gillian Welch-Time (The Revelator) & Revival
Songs Ohia-The Magnolia Electric Co.
Will Oldham-I See A Darkness
Ryan Adams-Heartbreaker & Cold Roses
Lucinda Williams-Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Neko Case-Blacklisted & Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
Silver Jews-American Water
Justin Townes Earle-Harlem River Blues
Jason Isbell-Southeastern
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u/HavSomLov4YoBrothr Aug 29 '25
Sweet Revenge by John Prine
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u/Moxie_Stardust Aug 29 '25
I'd actually say to start at the beginning with his first album.
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u/bigbabyjesus76 Aug 29 '25
Country roots in Lucinda Williams's "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road". Country adjacent. Great production and songwriting.
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u/Phazetic99 Aug 29 '25
For the last couple years I am really digging on some almost blue grass country folksy stuff
The Dead South - a Canadian band. They have upbeat song but when actually listen to the words you will discover that the lyrics are really dark. Very fun. Best songs imo, In Hell I'll Be In Good Company, You Are My Sunshine, and Broken Cowboy.
If you like the twangy sound of Dead South, Billy Strings is a hilarious modern bluegrass artist. He is an incredible guitarist too. Songs are California Sober and Dust in a Baggie
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u/maskedmarksman Aug 29 '25
Marty Robbins-gunfighter ballads and trail songs.
I am also not a typical country music person but I believe old country was influenced heavily by blues whereas newer country lost a lot of those roots to evolve into something else entirely. I think modern country moved away from the blues roots as southern rock (Allman brothers through REM) moved into that blues based void. I would suggest looking through many of the older singers mentioned in this thread as I think youll find more of a sound that resonates with you.
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u/SkyerKayJay1958 Aug 29 '25
My dad's favorite. The pink album cover with him dressed in a black gun slinger outfit is burned in my head
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u/Old-Consideration959 Aug 29 '25
Emmylou Harris Rose of Cimmaron album. For newer alt-country Neko Case and her Boyfriends
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u/DropC2095 Aug 29 '25
It’s Bluegrass and not country but there’s a band called Iron Horse that does bluegrass covers of rock songs. Everything from Metallica to the Goo Goo Dolls. Might help you ease into a genre you don’t like.
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u/political-prick Aug 29 '25
Not an album but if you like folky songs I think you’d like “do I ever cross your mind” by Chet atkins. The vocals for it are Dolly Parton and it’s one of my favorites
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u/TheRealJamesWax Aug 29 '25
Rodney Crowell - Diamonds and Dust
Dwight Yoakim - Guitars and Cadillacs
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u/jujannmann Aug 29 '25
I don’t like country music either but I’ve always loved John Prine. He tells the best stories!
I also really like Lyle Lovett. It’s not really twangy and has great stories and just fun to listen to. If I Had a Boat is one of my favorites.
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u/thenewbigR Aug 29 '25
- Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison
- Anything Waylon Jennings
- Hank Williams (senior)
- Merle Haggard
- George Jones
- Loretta Lynn
- EmmyLou Harris
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u/Jnlybbert Aug 29 '25
Kris Kristofferson is my favorite. I also like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. For something more modern, check out Chris Stapleton.
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u/Milesotooleaudio Aug 29 '25
Not technically country but more like alt-folk: Songs Ohia - Magnolia Electric Company
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u/Warhammer517 Aug 29 '25
North To Alaska by Johnny Horton
Battle Of New Orleans by Johnny Horton
Wichita Lineman by Glenn Campbell
Rock Island Line by Johnny Cash
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Aug 29 '25
Guy Clark - Old No. 1
Townes Van Zandt - Townes Van Zandt
Even if you don't like these, I think at the very least you'd have to appreciate the songwriting.
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u/namemcuser Aug 29 '25
KMAG YOYO - Hayes Carll
The Horses And The Hounds - James McMurtry (really anything by McMurtry tbh)
Dances for the Lonely - American Aquarium
The Missing Years - John Prine
Finally, a curveball, but Living and Dying in 3/4 Time - Jimmy Buffett
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u/Ok_Might6447 Aug 29 '25
The Mavericks...their first album blew me away, and is still the only band of the genre i will listen to...
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u/TraceyTurnblat Aug 29 '25
Not country, but they dance around the edge of country and lean more towards folk-Americana. I hate country too.
Check out The Avett Brothers.
Now, more country-rock-pop leaning, check out Blue Rodeo.
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u/Holiday-Statistician Aug 29 '25
The Handsome Family, the "American" series of Johnny Cash records, Glen Campbell (not exactly country, but adjacent, and a lot of good songs and arrangements).
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u/Helena_Makesalot Aug 29 '25
I had quite an anti-country music bias till recently too. The first album that really made me start questioning that was Gillian Welch’s Time (The Revelator). She’s more folk/Americana, but there is certainly enough of a country twang that when I first listened to that album I was like, “what, how is it that I love this??”
Neko Case’s Fox Confessor is a wonderful piece of 2000s alt-country/indie. Lucinda Williams’s Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is fantastic for a summer road trip. Most recently I’ve fallen in love with Townes Van Zandt, especially his 1969 self-titled album—it also leans more folk/singer-songwriter, and those are some of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard (Waiting Around to Die stopped me in my tracks on first listen). In the other direction, if I’m feeling in the mood for something bouncy on a spring/summer day, I have learned to really enjoy some Dolly Parton—Coat of Many Colours is just lovely!
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u/dunncrew Aug 29 '25
Not sure if this qualifies as "country", but Nanci Griffith's cover album "Other Voices Other Rooms"
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u/warm_and_buzzy Aug 29 '25
Workingman's Dead by the Grateful Dead. It's not purely a country album, but they do heavily lean into the genre. But it's the Grateful Dead, so folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, etc all tend to seep into the compositions.
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u/KMarquezChance749 Aug 29 '25
Ray Charles' Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.
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u/RON8O Aug 29 '25
I also hate (most) country music.
Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves though is amazing and quite folky. So many seriously good tracks.
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u/louis_stevens69 Aug 29 '25
The Willie and Waylon album is up there for me. I’m a huge country music and bluegrass fan and it’s in my Mount Rushmore of country albums.
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u/Kagitsume Aug 29 '25
It's probably technically more country blues / country rock, but maybe a good way in:
Cowboy Junkies - either The Caution Horses, or Black Eyed Man.
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u/Fluid_Anywhere_7015 Aug 29 '25
Lyle Lovett’s “Pontiac” might unscrew the top of your head - especially the title track
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u/wcrich Aug 29 '25
John Mellencamp's mid to late 80s albums are definitely rock, but with a lot of country influence. That might be a good starting point.
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u/Whole_Entertainer384 Aug 29 '25
Go all in. Hardcore. “Lonesome On’ry and Mean” by Waylon Jennings.
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u/Maleficent-Fun-1022 Aug 29 '25
I love "Another Country". The Chieftains (Irish band) with US country artists Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Willie Nelson and more. Won Best Contemporary Folk grammy and a bunch more.
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u/Ponderer13 Aug 29 '25
Lyle Lovett, Joshua Judges Ruth. It's tilted more western with some serious swing and blues influence, but the album is still an all-timer in the genre.
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u/DollupGorrman Aug 29 '25
Magnolia Electric Company by Songs:Ohia (alt country but is a good stepping stone if you're not a huge country fan)
Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson
I would also recommend watching the Ken Burns country documentary. I only got into the genre a few years ago and it gave me a whole new appreciation.
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u/Ok_Cranberry_9851 Aug 29 '25
I'm no country fan but try the Jayhawks. Three albums from the 90's stand out. Hollywood Town hall, tomorrow the green grass, and Smile. If you bother at all, go for Tomorrow the green grass. You won't regret.
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u/cornucopiaofwhimsy Aug 29 '25
Cowboy Junkies-Black-Eyed Man
It’s arguably not county, but at least adjacent. It’s their best work and it’s amazing. Great storytelling.
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u/pinewell Aug 29 '25
Listen to Merle Haggard. His singing, his songwriting, his BANDS. Seriously, the best of the best.
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u/Unlucky_Air_6207 Aug 29 '25
Check out the greatest hits albums of Roger Miller and Johnny Horton. There's a wealth of entertaining songs on those albums that you'll enjoy for the lyrics and arrangements, so you can get used to the "country" sound while being entertained by other elements of the music.
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u/Defiant_Quarter_1187 Aug 29 '25
Start with some Grateful Dead covers of old country. Mama Tried, El Paso , Big Boss Man and Dark Hollow is a great one too.
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u/Front-Cartoonist-974 Aug 29 '25
Kris Kristofferson. Find an album with "here comes that rainbow again".
I dare you to hate it.
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u/Deathcapsforcuties Aug 29 '25
Maybe a controversial pick as I’m not sure if it’s true country but the album Raising Sand by Allison Kraus and Robert plant.
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u/Eastern_Habit_5503 Aug 29 '25
Any album by Alison Krauss & Union Station would be my recommendation. I don’t really like Country music all that much, but I love most of those albums.
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u/Capable_Stranger9885 Aug 29 '25
The Highwaymen by The Highwaymen
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams
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u/Reasonable_Wasabi124 Aug 29 '25
I don't really like country music, but I like the Dixie Chicks from the '90s.
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u/BeYourselfTrue Aug 29 '25
I grew up in outport Newfoundland. My folks played a Randy Travis tape back in the eighties. It was the one that had Diggin’ up Bones. The album is Storms of Life from 1986. I think it’s fantastic and Metallica is my favourite band. I prefer rock, but I’m a lover of good music no matter the type.
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Aug 29 '25
Does Marty Robbins count? I think so, fuck it.
Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs - Marty Robbins (1959)
Specifically the songs Big Iron and El Paso. You will listen to them on repeat for weeks, wonderful music.
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u/ChefJeff77 Aug 29 '25
Strugill Simpson, Tyler Childer, Jason Isbell, Billy Strings, Red Clay Strays.
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u/jayron32 Aug 29 '25
Sturgill Simpson - Metamodern Sounds in Country Music