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While the birth of country-rock can arguably be traced back to the origins of rock 'n' roll itself (that mid-'50s fusion of hillbilly music, rhythm and blues, jazz and gospel that changed everything), the notion of "country-rock" that most of us now recognise as a genre or movement unquestionably coalesced in 1967/68. As rock bands emerged blinking from the ...
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Merle Haggard, Composer - Leon Copeland, MainArtist - Sony ATV Tree Publishing, MusicPublisher - Sony ATV Tree Pub (UK) Ltd, MusicPublisher
(C) 2010 Ace Records (P) 1968 Ace Records
Jerry Garcia, Guitar - Jerry Garcia, Banjo - J. Dawson, Composer - J. Dawson, Lyricist - Steve Barncard, Executive Producer - Spencer Dryden, Percussion - Spencer Dryden, Drums - Dave Torbert, Vocal - Dave Torbert, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Dave Torbert, Bass - John Dawson, Vocal - John Dawson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - David Nelson, Vocal - David Nelson, Mandolin - David Nelson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - David Nelson, Electric Guitar - Phil Lesh, Executive Producer - New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Producer - New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Performer
Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Eric Andersen, Composer, MainArtist
℗ 1969 Vanguard Records, a Welk Music Group Company
Chip Douglas, Producer - The Lovin' Spoonful, Performer - John Stewart, Composer - John Stewart, Lyricist
(P)1976 BMG Music
Larry Murray, Producer - Ken Mansfield, Producer - Steve Gillette, Composer, Lyricist - Swampwater, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
(P) Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Jimmie Haskell, Arranger - Byron Berline, Violin - Herb Pederson, Banjo - Martin, Writer - John Boylan, Producer - Dean Webb, Mandolin - The Dillards, MainArtist - Rodney Dillard, Guitar - Nilsson, Writer - Mitch Jayne, Vocals, Bass - Paul York, Drums
© 2004 Elektra Entertainment Group Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing ℗ 1970 Elektra Entertainment for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Johnny Sandlin, Producer - Charles Scott Boyer, ComposerLyricist - Cowboy, MainArtist
℗ 1971 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Judy Collins, Acoustic Guitar, MainArtist - Van Dyke Parks, Piano - Ian Tyson, Writer - Stephen Stills, Electric Bass Guitar - James Burton, Electric Guitar - David Anderle, Producer - JOHN HAENY, Engineer - James Gordon, Drums
© 1988 Elektra/Asylum Records for the United States and WEA International for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 1968 Elektra/Asylum Records for the United States and WEA International for the world outside of the United States.
Richie Furay, Guitar - Richie Furay, Vocal - George Grantham, Vocal - George Grantham, Drums - Timothy Schmit, Vocal - Timothy Schmit, Bass - Jim Messina, Producer - Jim Messina, Vocal - Jim Messina, Composer - Jim Messina, Lyricist - Jim Messina, Guitar - Poco, Performer - Rusty Young, Vocal - Rusty Young, Dobro - Rusty Young, Banjo
Originally Released 1970 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Chris Hillman, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Ethridge, Bass Guitar, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gram Parsons, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Henry Lewy, Producer - Larry Marks, Producer - The Flying Burrito Brothers, Producer, MainArtist - "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1969 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Rockin' Music, MusicPublisher - The Spencers, MainArtist - Dave Spencer, Composer - ROCKIN' MUSIC USA, MusicPublisher - Lou Spencer, Composer
(C) 2010 Ace Records (P) 1968 Ace Records
Jack Rhodes, ComposerLyricist - Dick Reynolds, ComposerLyricist - Linda Ronstadt, MainArtist - Chip Douglas, Producer
℗ 1969 Capitol Records, LLC
Michael Nesmith And The First National Band, AssociatedPerformer - M. Nesmith, Composer, Lyricist - Michael Nesmith, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Vocal - JOHN LONDON, Bass Guitar - John Ware, Drums - FELTON JARVIS, Producer - Pete Abbott, Engineer - O.J. "Red" Rose, Steel Guitar - Earl P. Ball, Piano - The First National Band, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 1970 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Michael Nesmith, ComposerLyricist - WILLIAM E. MCEUEN, Producer - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, MainArtist - Mark Waldrep, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2003 Capitol Records Nashville ℗ 2002 Capitol Records Nashville
B. Brown, Composer - Morning, MainArtist - Vaultvision Music, MusicPublisher - East Lynne Music (BMI), MusicPublisher
(C) 2013 Essential Media Group LLC (P) 2013 Essential Media Group LLC
Ian Tyson, ComposerLyricist - Ian & Sylvia, MainArtist
(C) 2006 Vanguard ℗ 2006 Vanguard Records, a Welk Music Group Company
Moby Grape, Performer - B. Mosley, Composer - B. Mosley, Lyricist
Originally Released 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Jim Ford, MainArtist - Suzanna Jordan, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1969 Sundown Records / White Whale Records / Varèse Sarabande Records, Inc.
Rick Nelson, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - The Stone Canyon Band, MainArtist
℗ 1970 Geffen Records
Gene Clark, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Spooner Oldham, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Clarke, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Byron Berline, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Producer - CLARENCE WHITE, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1973 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Ron Elliott, Writer - The Beau Brummels, MainArtist
© 2005 Warner Records Inc. Manufactured and Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing ℗ 1968 Warner Records Inc.
Jim Messina, Producer, Engineer, Background Vocals - Richie Furay, Guitar, Lead Vocals - Rusty Young, Pedal Steel Guitar - Richard Davis, Bass - Buffalo Springfield, MainArtist - Phil Iehle, Engineer - Richard Furay, Writer - Adrian Barber, Engineer
© 2018 Atlantic Recording Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ℗ 2018, 1966 Atlantic Recording Corporation.
Gene Parsons, Composer - Rockin' Music, MusicPublisher - Floyd Guilbeau, Composer - Gib & The Reasons, MainArtist - HOUSE OF PAXTON MUSIC PRESS, MusicPublisher - RESERVOIR ONE AMERICA, MusicPublisher
(C) 2010 Ace Records (P) 2010 Ace Records
The International Submarine Band, Composer, MainArtist - BUG MUSIC, MusicPublisher
2004 Sundazed Music 2004 Bug Music
Douglas Davis, Cello - Louie Shelton, Electric Guitar - Michael Nesmith, Producer, Guitar, Lead Vocals - The Monkees, MainArtist - Earl Palmer, Drums - Milt Holland, Tambourine, Vibes - Al Casey, Acoustic Guitar - Mike Deasy, Acoustic Guitar - Davy Jones, Producer, Guitar, Vocals - Micky Dolenz, Producer, Drums, Vocals - Peter Tork, Producer, Bass Guitar, Vocals - Bob Russell, Writer - Jack Keller, Writer - Max Bennett, Bass Guitar - Stan Levey, Tambourine, Vibes - Dennis Budimir, Acoustic Guitar - Michael Melvoin, Harpsichord - Del Kacher, Guitar - George Poole, Violin - Jack Gootkin, Violin - William Weiss, Violin - Bob Jung, Violin - Garry Nuttycombe, Viola - Heimann Weinstine, Violin
© 1986 Rhino Records Inc. ℗ 1986 Rhino Records Inc.
J. Alexander, Writer - Jules Alexander, Vocals - The Association, MainArtist
© 2004 Warner Records Inc. Manufactured and Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing ℗ 1969 Warner Records Inc.
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar, Vocal - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally recorded 1968 & released 1990. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Don Everly, Vocals - Nick DeCaro, String Arranger - LEE HERSCHBERG, Engineer, Digital Remasterer - LENNY WARONKER, Producer - The Everly Brothers, MainArtist - Phil Everly, Vocals - John Neil, Engineer - Mike Sheilds, Engineer - Ron Elliot, Composer, Lyricist
© 1968 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1968 Warner Records Inc.
Robert Hunter, Producer, Writer - Phil Lesh, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Vocals - Grateful Dead, MainArtist - Mickey Hart, Producer, Percussion - David Nelson, Electric Guitar - Dave Torbert, Bass Guitar - Joe Gastwirt, Additional Production, MasteringEngineer - Bob Weir, Producer, Guitar, Vocals - Jerry Garcia, Producer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Writer, Pedal Steel Guitar - Bill Kreutzmann, Producer, Drums - Jimmy Edwards, Manager Production - dave collins, Assistant Mastering Engineer - James Austin, Production - Ron McKernan, Producer, Drums, Vocals, Harmonica - John Dawson, Writer - Stephen Barncard, CoProducer - Michael Wesley Johnson, AssociateProducer - Peter McQuaid, ExecutiveProducer - David Lemieux, Producer
© 2020 Grateful Dead Productions, Under Exclusive License to Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2020, 1970 Warner Records Inc.
Sir Douglas Quintet, MainArtist - Doug Sahm, ComposerLyricist - Kenneth Buttrey, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chip Young, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Edenton, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Moore, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Kennedy, Producer - Buddy Spicher, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Drake, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy Jackson, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - Wayne Douglas, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Hargus Robbins, Piano, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1970 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Dennis Payne, Composer, MainArtist - PUBLISHER(S) UNKNOWN, MusicPublisher
(C) 2013 Ace Records (P) 2004 Ace Records
About Playlist
While the birth of country-rock can arguably be traced back to the origins of rock 'n' roll itself (that mid-'50s fusion of hillbilly music, rhythm and blues, jazz and gospel that changed everything), the notion of "country-rock" that most of us now recognise as a genre or movement unquestionably coalesced in 1967/68. As rock bands emerged blinking from the lurid excesses of psychedelia and the Summer Of Love, the U.S. music scene swung to one side: back to acoustic instruments, romantic/nostalgic songcraft and the simpler, purer forms that proliferated before Beatlemania redefined rock. Countless rural-rock bands sprang up in the U.S., praying at the altar of The Byrds, Dylan and The Band, while espousing the quiet joys of going back to their roots/the country/the road and drenching their records in pedal steel guitar. Established stars experimented, with predictably variable results. Nineteen sixty-seven saw Dylan recuperating in Woodstock and making rootsy, down-home music with the musicians who would shortly become The Band (who we've consciously omitted from our playlist, along with other hugely influential yet country-adjacent artists like Bobbie Gentry and Little Feat) while L.A. vanguard acts like The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Gene Clark & The Gosdin Brothers strived to showcase their country leanings on ground-breaking album releases. We begin our journey in 1968, with many of those figures looming large. The Byrds, under the fleeting guidance of Gram Parsons (see also The International Submarine Band and Flying Burrito Brothers), turned in the fully-fledged country album Sweetheart Of The Rodeo; Buffalo Springfield broke up but not before gifting us Richie Furay's lilting "Kind Woman" and sewing the seeds of Poco; former Byrd Gene Clark meandered through a number of aggregations, his association with Doug Dillard resulting in two albums and soaring non-album single "Why Not Your Baby." Doug's brother and former bandmates in The Dillards were both popular and influential, yet never quite found their place despite crafting two of the era's finest albums for Elektra. The Gosdin Brothers represented another aspect of country-rock's renaissance: the Bakersfield sound, a distinctly Californian twist on country that rose to prominence in the late '50s and early '60s with the success of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, and gave voice to producer Gary Paxton and guitarist supreme Clarence White, whose unique tones can be heard on our selections by the Gosdins, The Byrds (who he joined permanently in 1968), The Spencers and Leon Copeland. The Everly Brothers—inspiration to countless singers and groups earlier in the decade—returned to their roots on, um, Roots, the 1968 album that found them blurring the traditional and the progressive. Ron Elliott of The Beau Brummels handled the arrangements and contributed two songs, including "Turn Around," also cut by the Brummels themselves for the same year's unsung Bradley's Barn. Similarly, former teen sensation Rick Nelson made Bright Lights & Country Music as early as 1966 before hooking up with The Stone Canyon Band and crafting the immaculate Rick Sings Nelson, which contains seductive road song "California." The Brummels weren't alone in appearing on the face of it to be a pop act that had suddenly grown country cojones overnight. The impact of 1968's roots-rock revival touched practically all major league US artists—from The Beach Boys and Dylan down. The Lovin' Spoonful saluted them good ol' "Nashville Cats" back in '66 but it's post-John Sebastian 1968 single "Never Going Back" that takes us on a journey. Michael Nesmith, always a Texas boy at heart, steered The Monkees (or at least the session musicians he was using that day) through numerous experiments in country-rock, many of which, like '68's "If I Ever Get To Saginaw Again," remained unheard for over 20 years. Nesmith then led The First National Band through three albums in under a year, finally giving Monkees-era cuts like "The Crippled Lion" some exposure. The Association's "Dubuque Blues" is borderline but sneaks onto our playlist purely by virtue of being so damn good. Of the West Coast rock fraternity, The Grateful Dead, Moby Grape, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Sir Douglas Quintet were early adopters, as was Dead spin-off New Riders Of The Purple Sage. A wave of singer-songwriters such as Eric Andersen and Jim Ford felt the country funk. First lady of folk Judy Collins doffed her five-gallon hat on 1968's Who Knows Where The Time Goes with her reading of Ian Tyson's "Someday Soon;" Tyson and wife Sylvia's Nashville is inconsistent but does include the gorgeous "Farewell To The North." We're barely scratching the surface here. We hope these songs will lead you to more songs and their parent albums by these artists and more. You enjoy, y'all, you hear? © Andy Morten/Shindig! magazine in partnership with Qobuz
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