CD-Charts Position 91
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The Bluegrass Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Dolly Parton

Release Date October 27, 2003
I wouldn't say that this was the most 'Bluegrass' style CD that I have ever come across, but you will love this. Every track is fantastic.....a must have selection of tracks if you like Dolly Parton.
I love Bluegrass, and today's Bluegrass is very unlike the real true Bluegrass. So don't expect this album to give you that wonderful old sound....with incredible Banjo work etc.
But!....buy it anyway....it is a wonderful CD with that great Dolly singing voice.

CD-Charts Position 92
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The Thief and The Heartbreaker

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Alberta Cross

Release Date May 14, 2007
i first noticed this album when buying a rilo kiley cd, it was on the recommendations. boy am i glad i had a listen to the sample on here!
i purchased it instantly. its only 7 songs but well worth a listen. very country rock based and i agree with a few people, ryan adams almost echoes this album, especially 'lucy rider' very much like a missing track off ryan adams gold album. 'the devils all you ever had' is spine tingling and you can sink into the lyrics instantly. i also hear a few sounds along the lines of my morning jacket. if you like my norning jacket or ryan adams you must buy this album!

CD-Charts Position 93
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Infamous Angel

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Iris DeMent

Release Date May 10, 1993
I first came across Iris Dement when I heard Kate Rusby's version of "Our Town". Being an anorak and the owner of a reference book on folk music, I read about her and learnt that John Prine (one of my favourite folk/country singers) was a fan (he writes a few nice liner notes recommending her), so how could I go wrong?

This is a marvellous collection of country songs sung in an original and unforgettable voice. They all sound like small town stories which could be called quaint, but are sharply observed and beautifully told.

Favourite tracks, I hear you ask.... there are 11 songs on this album, so pick your own favourite - they are all as good as each other. You hear every word, every instrument and everything is right ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 94
Average Rating:

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The Tennessee Fire

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: My Morning Jacket

Release Date January 01, 2005
loved it from the moment i heard it. the low fi sound quality took me back to the days when i was in various bands myself. Its not a barrier to enjoying the songs, but it has to be said that people expecting a well produced album wont get it. The drums are recorded with one microphone by the sounds of things, although the vocal and guitars fare better sound wise.

MMJ are a great modern rock band, but this shows their roots better than any other of their albums. its not their best album, but its an essential purchase. Its got that bedroom demo feeling, back in a pre- mass-internet time where people actually recorded their demo's on tape.

for fans only.. perhaps... though it did make me a fan.

CD-Charts Position 95
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Mermaid Avenue Vol.1

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Billy Bragg, Wilco

Release Date June 29, 1998
Nora Guthrie, of the Woody Guthrie Archive, first approached Billy Bragg in 1995 with the idea of him writing music for and recording some of the lyrics Woody had written after the Huntington's disease had preventing him from holding, never mind playing, his guitar. The rational behind Billy's suitability seems sensible, singer-songwriter following the folk tradition which, although English, has been passed on to him from Woody Guthrie via Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Playing the folk festivals with Woody's own apprentices such as Pete Seeger would make him familiar with Woody's history without the necessity to idolise him as some of his contemporise would.

Billy then invited Americano Rockers Wilco to join the party possibly to give the recording an authentic ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 96
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Seastories

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Minnie Driver

Release Date May 12, 2008
I must say I was really looking forward to listening to Minnie's new album because I genuinely enjoyed her first album. I would like to say I was blown away by her latest attempt but I wasn't. I was disappointed for the most part although there are a few redeeming songs on the album, namely Mockingbird, London Skies and Love is Love. These songs are magnificent, a triumph on an otherwise befuddled, lackluster album. Minnie can't seem to decide whether she wants to sing country, folk or pop and combining all three, sometimes all in one song, is painful to listen to and just downright frustrating because we all know how talented she is. While some of her lyrics are simply divine others seem like the non-sensical ravings of a drugged up teenager. I would like to believe that ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 97
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Carried to Dust

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Calexico

Release Date
I must say I was really looking forward to listening to Minnie's new album because I genuinely enjoyed her first album. I would like to say I was blown away by her latest attempt but I wasn't. I was disappointed for the most part although there are a few redeeming songs on the album, namely Mockingbird, London Skies and Love is Love. These songs are magnificent, a triumph on an otherwise befuddled, lackluster album. Minnie can't seem to decide whether she wants to sing country, folk or pop and combining all three, sometimes all in one song, is painful to listen to and just downright frustrating because we all know how talented she is. While some of her lyrics are simply divine others seem like the non-sensical ravings of a drugged up teenager. I would like to believe that ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 98
Average Rating:

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Gram Parsons Archive, Vol 1

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Gram Parsons, Flying Burrito Brothers

Release Date November 06, 2007
This 2 cd set was recorded at the Avalon Ballroom San Francisco in April 1969 while the Burrito's were support act to the Grateful Dead. Never released to the public before, the tapes of the two concerts (April 4 and April 6 1969) had been locked in the Dead's extensive vault for nearly 40 years under the watchful eye of Owsley Stanley aka Bear.... (The excellent booklet (luxury) liner notes will describe in detail the effort made to secure their release...The 2 cds come in a small beautiful hardback booklet design including some never seen before photos - at first i found it difficult to remove the cds as the sleeves were too tight...but i managed to carefully insert my finger(after removing cds) and expand them without tearing and now its a breeze...but please dont blame me ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 99
Average Rating:

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Hello Starling

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Josh Ritter

Release Date January 24, 2005
I bought 'Hello Starling', the first Josh Ritter album I ever listened to, because of a recommendation from a very enthusiastic friend and, after playing this astonishing album once, promptly ordered every single album Josh has ever released. Yes, it really is that good. It is a classic, often glorious-sounding folk/rock masterpiece which has echoes of Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Bruce Springsteen and yet remains firmly and unmistakably the distinctive work of Josh Ritter. I'm not even sure when he's at his best - whether it is when he's picking on his acoustic guitar on the gorgeous opener 'Bright Smile', the beautiful 'Wings' and the Dylanesque 'You Don't Make It Easy Babe' or when he's cutting loose on songs such as the organ drenched 'Man Burning' and the magnificent 'Kathleen', ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 100
Average Rating:

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Sweet Old World

CD-Charts > Music > Alt. Country
by: Lucinda Williams

Release Date August 25, 1992
Buy this album if only for one track: Sweet Old World. About losing a loved one, presumably to suicide, but not necessarily limited to that, it is almost too sad for words. Its ability to capture musically the ethereal, confused, and single-minded detachment from the world we can feel shortly after losing someone dearest is a mark of great musicianship.

But where it is so utterly successful is in realising a lyrical ambition of not expecting the listener to indulge the singer, to share their burden of grief, to help them through the night as it were, which is so often the object of even a great ballad. Instead she simply draws you in gently, unassumingly, until you realise your very own experiences of profound loss could be - are - being described.

Covered ... Read More: