Country Roots I'd Like to See
The first time I listened to Sugarland's Love on the Inside CD all the way through, I thought something about "Genevieve" sounded familiar. After countless plays, I realized one tiny part of it reminded me of Loggins & Messina's "Vahevela." So I spent a few minutes pining for my youth, when I played that album over and over and over. Then I did what any hip girl with a laptop and a credit card would do. I downloaded about 20 songs from that youth.
And it occurred to me that the artists I loved way back then would make perfect country stars now. If other pop and rock acts are reinventing themselves as country acts, why not Loggins & Messina? If Kenny Chesney can make calypso beats sound southern, then so can the guys behind "Vahevela." Plus, Kenny Loggins' voice always had such an intense range, from falsettos to growls and all the soaring in between.
And come to think of it, why not Bob Seger and his rockin' Silver Bullet Band? That would work, wouldn't it? If you take away all the Detroit city references, you can definitely hear some Southern rock in him. Even some hints of a raspy Tim McGraw, like in "Night Moves." (A few years ago, Seger and Martina McBride recorded a duet, "Chances Are," for the Hope Floats soundtrack.)
One more guy I would love to see chase down his country roots is Jackson Browne. (I know, I know. He was born in Germany and raised in California, but he wouldn't be the first to feign roots elsewhere.) Is there anyone alive that doesn't know the ever-changing hooks on "Doctor My Eyes" some 36 years after it debuted?
The Guess Who, Three Dog Night and the J. Geils Band might make decent country acts, too. They all recorded songs that really stood the test of time. I know it takes more than just an apartment in Nashville and a banjo to go country. And it may muddy the waters to have even more outsiders trying to get a piece of country radio. But if any of these artists get back to making music, I really think there would be a spot for them on Music Row.
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RedMaZ says:
By putting up a black and white picture of Sugarland suddenly make them Roots Country?
K says:
Geez Redmaze, you sure do like to criticize today’s brand of country, don’t you? It is obvious you are not a fan of the majority of contemporary artists, but come on.
You don’t like contemporary country, but that’s all there is nowadays. You appear to not enjoy it, why don’t you try to stop bashing it and actually listen to something you do enjoy?
RedMaZ says:
Oh come on, lighten up a bit. In case you didn’t notice i like to ruffle feathers at times, but you can blame that on Redd Volkaert! I’ve been listenin to his new CD all day, and of course we all know he’s the King of Chicken Pickers! By the way…I love todays brand of Country, even though I listen to many genres of music, todays Country music is my favorite. Actually I’ve really been into the Red Dirt music scene lately. But there’s always room for some Red Meat and Fourteen Feet!
countryfan11 says:
Hmmm, not quite the “Roots” RedMa was hoping for I’m sure but I KNEW He/she would definitely respond to this is the usual way. Name dropping of course. I don’t think he/she can blame it on Redd, I think the negativity towards Pop Country comes natural. Ah well, I love Sugarland/Jennifer & several of the mentioned names. Have a GREAT weekend all, and yes, that includes you too RedMa. lol
RedMaZ says:
Name dropping? When someone says I don’t like todays country music, I’m darn sure going to defend myself. If that takes “name dropping” so be it. I love many types of music, and will express that fact whenever I can. You have a great weekend too, but don’t “lol” at me. A quaint wink will suffice ;)
flower says:
I think the lead singer for Warrant,Cinderella or Slaughter would do great in county they have what it takes!