Modern Country Reference CDs?

[Sunbreak Music]

Greetings,
Don't listen to C&W (although I am from Texas), but need a couple of good reference CDs for some upcoming work.

I was thinking "Wrecking Ball" by Emmylou Harris just because I'm a fan of Lanois, but I've never heard it--just heard it was good.

Preferably some that are recognizable names--top 40 stuff.

Thanks folks!
Cass

[Dave Slevin]

Best ask the client, Counrty covers a huge range of styles.
Personally I think the whole Lanois thing is a bit dated at this stage, no disrespect but there seems to be alot of it about.
It comes in lots of different flavours. I think "Forget about it" by Alison Krauss is a fantastic sounding record. Or you could check out "Trance" by Son Volt it's a bit more Lo-Fi. Stuff that sounds like The Band is pretty in at the moment too, well here anyway. Sea Sick Steve is worth checking out too, not for the sound but for the feel of it.
Depends on whether it's acoustic or electric, and if the artist if wearing cowboy boots or converse all stars!

[Dave Slevin]

And Lucinda Williams!!

[Sunbreak Music]

Thanks, Dave.

I'm getting a preview this evening, so I'll have a better feel for the style and will post back. Kinda' sounds like it's leaning to Rockabilly. If it's still called that.

CAA

[Dave Slevin]

Rev. Horton Heat.

[ButchP]

Originally Posted by Sunbreak Music

Greetings,
Don't listen to C&W (although I am from Texas), but need a couple of good reference CDs for some upcoming work.

I was thinking "Wrecking Ball" by Emmylou Harris just because I'm a fan of Lanois, but I've never heard it--just heard it was good.

Preferably some that are recognizable names--top 40 stuff.

Thanks folks!
Cass

Heres a list of New Country,,..You can hear most of them on You Tube

Top New, Hip Hop, R&B, Modern Rock, Reggae, Pop, Country, Lyrics


btw,,it hasn't been called C&W for decades....sorry guys but nothing that's been mentioned is considered even close to Modern Country (even Allison)

BP

[Dude Masters]

MMMM

I would say

Drag the River
Jesse Dayton
Wayne Hancock-He leans a bit towards an older rockabilly style


One that blew my mind this year was an album called "Cambridgeport Saloon" by a band from Boston called Lenny and The Piss Poor Boys I dont know what they recorded the album with equipment wise, but it has one of the most unique sounds I have heard on a cd in years......sheer genius.......it is on ludeboy records....can ya tell I like it?

Just dont make it nashville shiny please.........tutt

[Sunbreak Music]

Thanks everyone for the responses!

Great suggestions--I'd never find this stuff on my own.

[doorknocker]

One record I totally love both musically and sonically is Hank Williams III 'Risin' Outlaw'. A sound to die for!

Another great one is Steve Earle's 'I feel alright'. A masterclass on compression done right.

[Bob Boyd]

I don't listen to a lot of country (and I am from Texas too) but I picked up the new Rascal Flatts disc and I like it. I think it's the best Adam Ayan master I've heard yet.

If you're looking for 'modern' country, it's worth a listen.

[wehateyourhate]

ryan adams - jacksonville city nights is a great record for tonky kind of stuff
the new lucinda williams record (west) is also really good
And the Old 97's have more of a rockabilly feel