Help me expand my music collection!

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 17, 2016

I'm always looking for new musicians to listen to and thought some of y'all might be able to help. Right now I'm mostly into good writing. Music with simple production and really good lyrics. Mostly with Americana/folk/country/rock influences.

Some points of reference might help you help me

:

In my humble opinion Townes van Zandt is the greatest songwriter that ever lived (I have a soft spot for sad/tragic songs)
Townes Van Zandt - Pancho and Lefty. Heartworn Highways - YouTube
Townes Van Zandt - To Live Is To Fly - YouTube
Townes Van Zandt - Lungs - YouTube

My favorite band right now is probably Lucero.
lucero - tears don't matter much - YouTube
Lucero- "I'll Just Fall" - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9r8GRIYj68

I also really like the Decemberists, Jason Isbell, Drive By Truckers, Joe Pug, Ryan Bingam, old Robert Earl Keen, along with many others.

What led me to post this is I just found Frank Turner (who is awesome) and am wondering what other gems I am missing. Good writing is a must (I really hate bad pop music which includes most of modern "country" music). Also, if a musician can't write at least some songs in the third person they probably aren't very good. Great songwriters tell a story IMO.

Bring on the suggestions and thanks! :drink:

teg · Dec 17, 2016

I like Chris Knight, somewhat dark and depressing... I like his music.

AchingBack · Dec 17, 2016

Check out, singer/song writer/2016 winner of, The Voice, Sundance Head. Here he is, singing an original song: The Voice 216 Sundance Head - Finale: "Darlin' Don't Go" - YouTube
The Voice 2016 Sundance Head - Finale: "Darlin' Don't Go"

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 17, 2016

teg said:
I like Chris Knight, somewhat dark and depressing... I like his music.

oh yea, one of my favorites. :thumbsup: also Slaid Cleves. More of the same please.

Rock knocker · Dec 17, 2016

Van Halen

Rock knocker · Dec 17, 2016

Townes friend Steve Earle, Uncle Tupelo and Wilco, and Mudcrutch

Egon · Dec 17, 2016

For folk songs go back to the sixties and early seventies.

DieselnHooters · Dec 17, 2016

James McMurtry might be right up your alley, he has a way with words that is amazing .... between hitting the point dead-on and adding a bit of humor and sarcasm

DieselnHooters · Dec 17, 2016

So TBN doesn't allow more than one video per post ....

A tight electric version of the same song

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 17, 2016

teg said:
I like Chris Knight, somewhat dark and depressing... I like his music.

Also "Down the River" is one of my favorite songs.
Chris Knight - Down The River - YouTube

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 17, 2016

Rock knocker said:
Townes friend Steve Earle, Uncle Tupelo and Wilco, and Mudcrutch

Thanks, I don't know Mudcrutch. :thumbsup:

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 17, 2016

DieselnHooters said:
James McMurtry might be right up your alley, he has a way with words that is amazing .... between hitting the point dead-on and adding a bit of humor and sarcasm

Ya, I've got a couple of his records.

Rustyiron · Dec 17, 2016

DieselnHooters said:
James McMurtry might be right up your alley, he has a way with words that is amazing .... between hitting the point dead-on and adding a bit of humor and sarcasm

Love that one!

Luke, when I was finding myself only listening to talk radio because the crap they now call "country radio" is, well crap, I got XM radio and found a LOT of new stuff on their "outlaw country" station. They have a station for everyone's type of music and Im sure it would also expand one's exposure to similar music. Come to think of it, Pandora radio will play similar (at least in their thinking) songs if you enter a few of your own, for free!:thumbsup:

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 17, 2016

Rustyiron said:
Love that one!

Luke, when I was finding myself only listening to talk radio because the crap they now call "country radio" is, well crap, I got XM radio and found a LOT of new stuff on their "outlaw country" station. They have a station for everyone's type of music and Im sure it would also expand one's exposure to similar music. Come to think of it, Pandora radio will play similar (at least in their thinking) songs if you enter a few of your own, for free!:thumbsup:

Yup, Pandora is a great way to expand your knowledge

SJay · Dec 17, 2016

Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith : Gulf Coast Highway ( 1988 ) - YouTube

Nanci Griffith - Trouble In The Fields (Live on New Country 1986) - YouTube

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 17, 2016

SJay said:
Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith : Gulf Coast Highway ( 1988 ) - YouTube

Nanci Griffith - Trouble In The Fields (Live on New Country 1986) - YouTube

It's been awhile since I looked for new stuff from her. Amazing voice.

Leejohn · Dec 17, 2016

Happy trails

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 17, 2016

Leejohn said:
Happy trails

Don't understand

/pine · Dec 17, 2016

Luke'sScreenName said:
Thanks, I don't know Mudcrutch. :thumbsup:

Boy does that bring back some memories...!...'Mudcrutch'...Tom Petty's prelude to the 'Heartbreakers'
I saw them many times in different places in central FL...Gainesville, Tampa, Daytona/Cocoa Beach etc....many of the same places the Allman Bros. played before they hit it big...