Best Western Swing
1 Bookends
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Vietnam War, the assassinations of public figures, and seeing part of my city burn the previous summer during riots-- it was a lot to handle. The first side of the record ends with the sad longing and fears of Old Friends, who sit on a park bench and reminisce together. The fears and sadness of 1968 are long past, but a final memory remains: As I lay in bed early that Christmas Eve, the colored glow of tree lights seeped into my room. Off in the distance were disembodied television voices of Apollo astronauts circling the moon-- they read passages from the book of Genesis, and wished well the "people of the good Earth.""
"The Vietnam War, the assassinations of public figures, and seeing part of my city burn the previous summer during riots-- it was a lot to handle. The original first side of the record ends with the sad longing and fears of Old Friends, who sit on a park bench and reminisce together. The fears and sadness of 1968 are long past, but a final memory remains: As I lay in bed early that Christmas Eve, the colored glow of tree lights seeped into my room. Off in the distance were disembodied television voices of Apollo astronauts circling the moon-- they read passages from the book of Genesis, and wished well the "people of the good Earth.""
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As a relatively new convert to country music fandom, I've discovered that I'm particularly (and ironically) drawn to some of the "old masters" of the genre – Conway Twitty, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline - and some of the "new traditionalists" -- George Strait, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Patty Loveless, and Vince Gill. Today, Bob Wills’ legacy is carried on primarily by Asleep at the Wheel, a country music band from Austin, Texas that specializes in western swing. Asleep at the Wheel performs all of the songs, many of them featuring great country music artists like Merle Haggard, George Strait, The Time Jumpers, and The Del McCoury Band."
"Lots of easter eggs in the design--the faux stamp on the outside corner, the names of the artists involved on the outside edge, and then when you open it up--the cigar inset, and the CD itself, with the look of an old 78 record."
"(Other two are "Tribute to Music of Bob Wills... and Ride with Bob, both of which are very good.)."
"I've been a Wheel fan since COMIN' RIGHT ATCHA (when "Cherokee Boogie" and "Take Me Back to Tulsa" were getting airplay on my local country music FM station), and they in turn brought me to the swinging sounds of acts such as The Light Crust Doughboys, Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies, and of course The Man himself, Bob Wills (and his incomparable Texas Playboys)."
"This CD is an incredible collection of old Bob Wills songs done extremely well by Asleep at the Wheel and many guest stars."
"Wonderful album for any Bob Wills fan."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you're working and want several hours of great background music, or you're taking a road trip and want some classic early classic country music, this is highly recommended."
"We are fortunate to have these recordings at all given the early days of recording technology and techniques not to mention preservation abilities; all things considered then, these are simply gems ... Jimmie Rodgers was a rare talent and a pioneer of so much of the roots, Country, Americana and Bluegrass music we have today ... his music is filled with the Blues but with the originality that came from his life experiences ..."
"I had to read up some on Jimmie Rodgers but he is in both the Country and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame."
"The fact that it seems to only be available as mp3 format, with no liner notes or recording session details...I can't put up 5. I like liner notes and recording dates and such, but my thinking was I can spend $4.99, give 'em a listen and see if it is something that I want to pursue further."
"It is enlightening to play the Jimmie and Lefty versions back-to-back... From Jimmie to Lefty to ________________ (you can fill in the blank: Merle, George Strait, Garth, etc) Great country history for the money..."
"Jimmie Rodgers, to me at least, is in the Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Hendrix, Hank Williams, Dylan, realm of profound influence and unmatched musical originality."
"I had purchased a couple other Doxy collections and really like the quality so when I saw this one I knew to just purchase it."
Best Live Recordings
![Europe '72 [Live] [Expanded]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41H4d%2B7O-ML._SS600_.jpg)
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Hands down the best live album EVER made."
"The recording quality was excellent and came in nice paper disc packaging."
"Excellent sound."
"I had this on vinyl back in the day and I can't believe I waited so long to get this on CD."
"One of my top 10 albums of all time."
"Jerry Garcia...Bob Weir anything else?"
"Nice memories from a time long ago..."
Best Bluegrass
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"LOVE STEEP CANYON RANGERS .... Steve Martin okay - more for kids. I am sure that Steve Martin has really helped them though by giving them professional pointers - because this is a "slick" group - love their suits ...... their lighting .............. love the fiddle player!"
"Steve Martin is a rare bird, his singing and playing with multiple artists."
"When Steve Martin decided to share his love of banjo music with us, I bought "The Crow". "The Crow" was all about the banjo, but here it is featured in good company with guitars, fiddle, and mandolin, all superbly played. "King Tut" was novel when Steve wrote it for a Saturday Night Live skit, many moons ago, as a spectacular exhibit of items from the tomb of ancient Egypt's Pharaoh Tutankhamun was touring the country. The song escaped it's SNL bounds and wound up high on the pop charts. Well, on "Rare Bird Alert", you can hear it performed with it's original, authentic, bluegrass instrumentation."
"The humor, the music & the group is awesome."
"This music will not disappoint, especially if you like Steve Martin and banjo music."
"Wonderfull music."
"He and the Steep Canyon Rangers are a wonderful match and the music they make on this album is the best. Steve Martin wrote most of the songs and his talent shows in the word play."
"Steep Canyon Raiders, Steven Martin's witty comments and lyrics and banjo, Dixie Chicks, Sir Paul, amazing packaging and graphics that recall the late 1960s (I have the deluxe edition, with the addition only of the musician trading cards), joyful ditties, reference to Lawren Harris' outstanding Canadian paintings, and . I have always appreciated bluegrass because, first, the banjo IS a happy sounding instrument, and, second, because the harmonies, speedy rhythms, and direct lyrics often are cheerful."
Best Cowboy
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Vietnam War, the assassinations of public figures, and seeing part of my city burn the previous summer during riots-- it was a lot to handle. The first side of the record ends with the sad longing and fears of Old Friends, who sit on a park bench and reminisce together. The fears and sadness of 1968 are long past, but a final memory remains: As I lay in bed early that Christmas Eve, the colored glow of tree lights seeped into my room. Off in the distance were disembodied television voices of Apollo astronauts circling the moon-- they read passages from the book of Genesis, and wished well the "people of the good Earth.""
"The Vietnam War, the assassinations of public figures, and seeing part of my city burn the previous summer during riots-- it was a lot to handle. The original first side of the record ends with the sad longing and fears of Old Friends, who sit on a park bench and reminisce together. The fears and sadness of 1968 are long past, but a final memory remains: As I lay in bed early that Christmas Eve, the colored glow of tree lights seeped into my room. Off in the distance were disembodied television voices of Apollo astronauts circling the moon-- they read passages from the book of Genesis, and wished well the "people of the good Earth.""
Best Honky-Tonk
![American Made [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61EkML8rIhL._SS600_.jpg)
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Good music if your into it."
"Awesome music."
"We listen to Big Smo almost ever weekend."
"Sometimes moving, sometimes a little cheesy but always a good time when Big Smo is on!"
"awesome sound, excellently mixed, Big Smo"s sound is right on point with the emotions."
"Loved the kuntry living CD."
Best Compilations
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Band recorded a lot of music, but when they were "on" they presented a sound like no other."
"A classic that is a great addition to our collection."
"Just what I was looking for."
"Excellent CD, could be "The Band" 's best CD."
Best Contemporary Country
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love the more lively rocken songs he had previously recorded and I have a single cd that I prefer and play all the time."
"He is a wonderful singer.....look at me now!"
"Hell yeah!"
"One of my favorite musicians long lasting music...."
"I don't trust anyone who doesn't love Toby!"
"Great product!"
Best Traditional Country
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I LOVE TRADITIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC!"
"Truly a classic for country music fans, and this album has all of buck best."
"enjoyed these buck owens hits."
"Occasionally, I listen to it, my mind reaching to much younger years. In the late sixties, I had the good fortune to meet Buck and Don after a life performance I attended."
Best Alt-Country & Americana
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great music!"
"The Band, in its full form, is great...no matter which DVD/CD."
"Can't get a better cd than this one, if you like The Band."
"Wonderful music that keeps my feet tapping."
"Just what I was looking for."
"My husband purchased this CD for me and I wore out the first one I had...do a lot of long road trips and it is the best traveling music ever!!!"
Best Outlaw & Progressive Country
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It's one of the first albums that I check out when I have a new piece of gear, and one that sounds better every time I make an improvement where a lot of other recordings start to reveal flaws."
"The Wailin'Jennys produce such lovely harmonies and melodic songs."
"Wonderful harmonies and great songs by the Wailin Jennys."
"Good album, but doesn't come near their Bright Morning Stars album."
"Their harmonies and easy voices really put one at ease and provide a relaxing atmosphere for just enjoying some calming music after a hectic day at work."