The Americana Vinyl Tag 2024

Sam St John : • Ep. 430, Americana Vin...

[@recyclerhopkins]

Mazzy, the two albums Emmylou Harris did with Mark Knopfler, the studio album All the Roadrunning and the live Real Live Roadrunning both from 2006 are great releases. Their voices are magic together combined with Knopfler's guitar work and storytelling/songwriting. If you start a British/Americana category Knopfler must be included, his stories about American life and characters ( Elvis, Sonny Liston and Ray Kroc) are classics. His duet with James Taylor on the title cut of Sailing to Philadelphia (2000) is about the Mason-Dixon line and like many of his songs is a mini history lesson. He also features a lot of Celtic influences along with maritime and historical themes. M☘

[@denniswood1437]

The Byrds Sweetheart of the Rodeo is truly a landmark album, but the Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin is more of a true Country Rock/Rhythm & Blues recording than Sweetheart was. Both albums deserve their place in pioneering Americana albums.

[@louismartinez7387]

Let's not forget Poco's first album...true country leanings.

[@williamcardina89]

This was a really needed and great video. Some have said that The Band invented Americana. But folk itself gets over looked and maybe another video on it would be more appreciated. You did a good job on a difficult genre to define but one that everyone can say they like it.

[@jimmccloskey4254]

Americana and no Ry Cooder, yow! If you enjoy really good songs, tight musicianship, check out Watchhouse (Mandolin Orange).

[@samstjohn1994]

I love Watchhouse! Saw them twice last year

[@kevinfischer372]

The Long Ryders in the 1980s - the albums Native Sons, State of Our Union and Two-Fisted Tales are essential Americana . They're touring and recording again. Beautiful

[@brendanmccarthy4218]

Great Mazzy. You’re right to open up this DEEP vein. We could of course be even more expansive and use the soul, blues, county of the likes of Tony Joe White, Jeff T’s work with Mavis being an obvious candidate to illustrate this. Thanks again.

[@musicinthehouse]

Thank you Mazzy and thank you Sam St. John for this tag. Mazzy I so enjoy your walks through the history of different genres and the evolution of Americana. I am still looking for a good copy of that Byrds Sweetheart of the Radio and The International Submarine Band. Small fact check given out of love and respect, The Jayhawks started in 1984 in Minnesota, and Uncle Tupelo in 1987 in Chicago.

[@johnpyle1022]

Ive also been looking for copies of those 2 Gram albums you mention, ain't easy in my experience, good luck to us both!

[@67psych]

Bradley’s Barn is a psychedelic country rock classic . One of the greatest unknown albums of the 60’s.

[@gn4368]

Mazzy, loved this one! I'm so impressed that someone in the Vinyl Community knows who Guy Clark is, let alone has one of his albums.

[@ShamrocknRecords]

That was a great tag. I personally own most of those. Hahaha. I do need that Gene Clark - No Other. And I’ve never heard that Smog record or the Glenn John’s. I’ll have to listen to those. I’m glad you made this video. I saw Milk Carton Kids years ago opening for Old Crow Medicine Show. They were fantastic. Glad you showed old and in the way. That was a great choice. I love Wild Horses on that. And I need to pull my Inside Llewelyn Davis records. I haven’t spun them in years. That’s a great show. Cheers, Brian☘️

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks Brian. I could make this a 24 hour video.

[@popsandclicks]

Great response and stories as always, cheers for this!

[@anotherfatbeardedmantalkin5893]

Good call Mazzy. I really enjoyed that. The one record which doesn't get the recognition it deserves that should sit alongside Sweetheart of the Rodeo and Bradley's Barn is Nashville by Ian & Sylvia. It was recorded in Nashville and released in March of 1968. Which means it was out before Sweetheart (August) and Bradley's Barn (October). In many ways it's a far better blending of country and rock than either of its better known contemporaries. I'm not sure why the record is overlooked? Perhaps the clean-cut Canadian folkie image, isn't as appealing as the hippy druggy long-hairs playing country. Cheers - Hedley

[@RandyforRoyals]

I always like seeing Lucinda Williams and she would be my favorite female Americana artist and she has a bunch of heartbreaking ballads. Great Guy Clark record. I wish that I had it on vinyl. I only have one Milk Carton Kids album but I know that I need to search out more of their music. Great tag.

[@paavoviuhko7250]

Have to say these are among my favorite kinds of music. I have the Sierra 8-track Together Again For The Last Time. Gram Parsons and The Fallen Angels on one side, featuring Emmylou Harris--a live concert from Houston Texas in 1973. The other side Clarence White doing a guitar workshop in 1973. Unfortunately I can't play it for lack of a tape machine.

[@louismartinez7387]

Speaking of acoustic guitars I always get sentimental goosebumps when I hear the intro to I'll Be Back by you know who.

[@chipsdeluxe8622]

Nice. Gene's early LA sessions is another good listen . Of course all those okies blazed some serious trails

[@chipsdeluxe8622]

No Americana discussion can proceed without acknowledging the passing of Charlie "papa goose" Gearhart . Is truly what the genre intended to be

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

I think all things bring equal, this was your best tag. All those artists created such wonderful music. I don’t know if I have the wherewithal to do this tag. But if I would, I think that Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge’s and Jesus was a Capricorn album. But again you are so right, there are many many artists that could be placed in this tag. Well done.

[@Freakster1970]

Anything influenced by American roots music can be considered Americana. It's HUGE ! It can include Japanese band's to The Beatles - I love it too.

[@pierremartin9048]

You remind me of one of my favorite quotes from a childhood commercial; the Tiger on the Kellogg Corn Flakes……..you’re great. Just love the content.

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

Love your tag Mazzy..I am really interested in that Another Day, Another Time Album..Lucinda!!! Not familiar with Glenn Jones..gotta check him out..would love to see Gillian and Dave Rawlings..Gene Clark..you turned me on to No Other a few years back..one of my favourite albums👍I am still looking for Bradley’s Barn on vinyl..thanks Mazzy👍❤glen

[@michaeldavey9658]

An album grabbed a bunch of us in the way back time was "The Fantastic Expidition Of Dillard & Clark" that was an introduction to Bernie Leadon.

[@andrewt4042]

Thanks for highlighting Dino’s solo album. I found the lyrics moving and ethereal.

[@91pastor]

Very enjoyable video, I have most of what you showed on the video! Lovely idea and well presented! More please!

[@ml-oz5kd]

Great video Mazzy. I enjoy learning about older and newer artists from your library while drinking coffee. So relaxing. Big fan of Emmy, Gram, and Lucinda here. Also, the late, great, BRILLIANT Nanci Griffith. The Working in Corners 2023 box set is incredible. So glad Craft Recordings honored her with that gorgeous re-issue of her first 4 albums.

[@johnpyle1022]

Hey Mazzy interesting and informative as ever...however I'm confused. I've watched quite a few of these Americana tag videos now, and not one has mentioned The Band (aside from you briefly at the end here)...I've been thinking for years that The Band were the archetypical Americana band, but now it seems that I was wrong....because as you say the term (mainly) refers to music from the 90s...hmmm...who knew. Also, I've been watching these videos expecting Exile on Main Street to get mentioned a lot....yet, not once also! Have I been wrong there as well?! Yet you do mention the Kinks, and of course the Beatles. So yes, a little confused here. Would be great to get the views of others on this. Anyway, love your channel, cheers!

[@richardsewell9789]

Glad you’re reviewing Dino’s solo LP. In the UK he came to attention via a CBS compilation The Rock Machine Turns You On. I’ve read an interview with the lady bassist from the Wreaking Crew that he was just to self opinionated to work with. Maybe one of the reasons his solo career never took off. Great LP though.

[@happyhippythevinylguy]

As a former music director for two different americana stations, I really enjoyed this video. Imagine having to explain what americano was to a potential advertiser back in 1994..lol It definitely draws its roots from bluegrass music.

[@bryangibson8479]

Current Americana MD here... I *still* have difficulties explaining the Americana format to people. 😄

[@jtsrecordroom3963]

Nice work, Mazz 😊

[@lupcokotevski2907]

America's greatest classical composer, Aaron Copland, was writing Americana classical works in the 1930's and 40's such as Billy the Kid.

[@mazzysmusic]

Yessss. And Warren Zevon was ver influenced my Copland. The orchestral scores for Jesse James is right in that pocket.

[@Mezzanine5]

Nice vid Mazzy, I love that Gene Clark record. I saw GW and DR in Hammersmith about 12 years ago, I think it was the last time they played in the the UK, The most moving night of my musical life, i almost broke down during Revelator.

[@mazzysmusic]

After recorded this, I realize I did see Gillian on the Oh Brother Tour. But she was one of a large wonderful entourage. ✌🏼

[@Mezzanine5]

Oh nice! Talking of Oh Brother I remember that period of my life so well. Within the space of a week we (me and my gig buddy) went to see Alison Krauss and Union Station at The Festival Hall where Dan Tyminski sang Man of Constant Sorrow, P. J Harvey at The Albert Hall and Gillian and David in Hammersmith. The best gig week ever!

[@williamcalvert4106]

Thanks Mazzy. Americana has been the genre I've been mostly listening to in the last few years. Aka y'allternative.

[@First-gd7ci]

Its still Rock And Roll to me!

[@richardriley4415]

I was glad to see you do this. I was interested but was not sure what fits. I have watched several videos and put much of what I saw as either Country or Rock. I'm still not sure but this helps.

[@samstjohn1994]

I really appreciate you hopping on this Mazzy. So crazy that you caught Gram with the Burrito Bros, Gilded Palace is a wonderful record, as is Sweetheart of the Rodeo. I really need to grab Old and in the Way, it's a tough one to find in my area here in SW VA. Inside Llewyn Davis is such a well crafted movie, I love Oscar and Marcus Mumford doing Fare Thee Well. The Milk Carton Kids are killer, they are a fun live show with their hilarious banter between serious ballads. Sin City is so good, one of my favorite vocals. Nice Rubber Soul, I'll forever love Norwegian Wood, such a fun one to play on guitar.I That Uncle Tupelo album is fantastic, Acuff Rose is so good. Thanks again for doing this.

[@runningbeard7380]

I haven't listened to Lucinda's 'Righteously' in awhile, thanks for that mention. Another song that has a sort of talking rhythm (hip hop but not hip hop) that I've listened to lately is Bobby Darin's Me and Mr. Hohner. Another criminally underrated artist that has a unique delivery is Roger Miller. Miller has such interesting phrasing and timing, and would stumble his vocals with intent.

[@caslonbodoni42]

Nice, check out The Holy Modal Rounders/ Michael Hurley for really sweet Americana with a twist!

[@larrysmith5249]

You mention The Sadies early in the video. Of all the groups I’ve been turned on to from your channel, The Sadies are my favorite. Great songwriting, harmonizing vocals and killer guitar work. Such a wonderful group.

[@narrowfield6846]

Hi Mazzy, thanks for this video. I wasn't aware how much I was into Americana. I think I only got aware of the expression around the times I was introduced to the music of Alison Krauss, Neko Case etc. In the end this genre thing doesn't matter that much to me. Either I love a record or not. In case of so called Americana I love and got lot.

[@CUBICUB]

Great Job Mazzy,

[@Texeq]

It was called 'weed country' 50 years ago. A term that distinguished young rock and pop artists that were more likely to inhale than down shots. The Lovin Spoonful was probably the first popular group that routinely included country rock in its albums. The Byrds had Chris Hillman and did countrified numbers on Younger Than Yesterday. The album that I loved at the time was The Everly Brothers 'Roots' (1968). Another favorite was Mason Proffits first album from 1969 and Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band.

[@jonnyduk3968]

Nice to hear a shout out for No Other Mazzy, From a Silver Phial is sublime, particularly the demo version on the extended CD

[@fairhurst889]

Excellent video Mazzy…Peace and Love

[@J.R.Psych74]

THE BAND. ✌😊

[@dougcesario3098]

Didn't The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark come out a little before Sweetheart? Thank you so much for mentioning Gene. Chris' Desert Rose is another great pre Americana Americana album. I'd also nominate the first, and only the first Crosby Stills ad Nash record.

[@arnelarsen4379]

Nordicana (for the last 10+ years, americana-genre from out of Scandinavia) - fun fact: maybe more than 80% of the successful Nordicana artists are female artists (singer-/songwriters) or female fronted bands!

[@louismartinez7387]

Of course we're all familiar with Buffalo Springfield and it's famous offshoots but for me Poco's first album with it's country leanings hooked me for good!! But let's not forget our British counterparts who gave us country gems by Brinsley Schwarz and Mathews Southern Comfort

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The best modern Americana track is the epic and very complex Montana Song by David Ackles from his 1973 album American Gothic. Ackles is one of Elton John's favourite singer songwriters, and the Tumbleweed Connection album is dedicated to Ackles. Bernie Taupin is also a huge Ackles fan.

[@dougcesario3098]

The first records that Chris was on were bluegrass.

[@jimmccloskey4254]

I have watched more than a handful of these videos. Each name drops you. LOL. Doubt you realize they and more channels follow you weekly. Nice. BTW - look up David Bromberg as he was part of the Newgrass movement, even mentioned on his liner notes.

[@PianolaEnterprises]

always inspiring

[@luytondriman6236]

I enjoyed your take on the Americana tag, loved the Lucinda mentioned (I love that track & album as well), also the Guy Clark mention, good stuff. But wanted to ask you if you like Lyle Lovett & Steve Earle ? I think they are excellent lyrists, singers and arrangers, covering country / county-gospel. / Alt-country.....

[@mazzysmusic]

Love both of them. Lyle’s records get played more than Earls, but enjoy both

[@stevendreith4343]

As a big fan of the blues and psychedelic music of the 60's and 70's, I'm just beginning to enjoy the so called "Americana" music. One of the albums that steered me in that direction was an album by the Notting Hillbillies (check it out). Also Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is showcasing new bands for me. Such a large catalog of artists, will keep me busy.

[@robfrith]

No Exile? Yeah, someone has to say it 😂

[@Pebktc]

You might want to check out Whiskeytown - Strangers Almanac.

[@JimmyLem]

Pure proto-Americana - CCR & The Band

[@JimmyLem]

Then for some reason, I associated Americana with the BoDeans in the 80s and a bunch of post REM of the early 80s vintage - Feelies, 10000 Maniacs, Guadalcanal Diary, with only the Feelies transcending those cursed 80s production values.

[@JimmyLem]

And country-rock-pop goes to R Furray from Springfield, Hillman and the often-overlooked Mike Nesmith.

[@terryhu57]

What about the Blasters. That first album still makes me dance

[@davidwright9318]

No mention of The Long Ryders……

[@mazzysmusic]

Or the three thousand other artists I could have mentioned ✌🏼

[@sonvolt48]

Best Americana albums? Easy: " The Dillard and Clark Expedition" and "Wheatstraw Suite" by the Dillards

[@mazzysmusic]

It is wonderful ✌🏼

[@4-dman464]

I wrote a hoot of a Comment to this one - - but Harry got the jump on you so it's over on Harry's. I did leave a recommendation there for the *Norman Maslov Public Library* , so it's all good.

[@nicolasschmite997]

Hi Mazzy. Thanks for sharing. If I can recommend you an American artist (I mean you know thousands and you probably know him!), it is Dylan Leblanc (last album coyote).

[@user-gz4qz1gq1h]

Very good. Important root: The Band

[@garytibbs4196]

The late Mary McCaslin was a great exponent of Americana.

[@willemvanfrankenhuysen4281]

In my opinion you can't start a special on Americana music without mentioning THE BAND !?

[@diamond_marimba]

jim white on drums on the smog, interesting musician

[@car-or-ock616]

Americana? Andy Warhol, cookie jars, Coke bottles, lunch pails (you got some, Mazzy, you know it!) MacDonald's, In-and-Out Burger, Five Guys. Polo Jeans, graphic Ts, Nike shoes. Tesla, Tesla, Tesla. Central Park, NYC, The Park Blocks, Portland; the Streets of New Orleans; Greenwich Village NYC; Beacon Hill, Boston; Miami Deco District; Washington Square, San Francisco; Venice Beach & Rodeo Drive, LA. The Statue of Liberty (sculpted in Paris, France); Mt. Rushmore; Lincoln Memorial, DC; Portlandia, Portland City Hall. Fake shutters on horizontal wood siding; porches; red brick chimneys; flying American flags by the front door. Marvin Gaye, Springsteen, Dylan, Bozz Scags, Bob Seger, Tom Petty. Tina Turner, Rosanne Cash, Marlee Rush, Lynn Anderson.

[@bacarandii]

How do you think the whole "No Depression" thing fits in with what became "Americana?" (I see someone else has mentioned No Depression magazine in comments below.) I've always wondered about that because I was slow to pick up on it. And where does the massively popular "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack figure in? Or does it?

[@Andyepd]

Jeez - I thought the thumbnail was David Ackles.

[@richardhewitt4252]

I’ll throw in Drive By Truckers and of course Jason Isbell

[@robertolsen2593]

Elton John? The Band? :)

[@mazzysmusic]

I was trying to keep it mostly American artists this time.

[@josephstraight5190]

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

[@johnpyle1022]

OK, kind of answers my initial Q. I miss stuff sometimes, kids, cooking etc...for me, the VC is the new breakfast/afternoon radio! Cheers

[@robertolsen2593]

@@mazzysmusic Maybe I didn't pay close attention this time. Love your channel. Greetings from Norway :)

[@TRamone01]

I am disappointed when an Americana artist is not from an Americana part of the country. I guess I need to get over it. It's like learning Levon Helm is from New Jersey.

[@7and12inchvinyl]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@mazzysmusic]

Well said. Intelligent comment ✌🏼

[@7and12inchvinyl]

Gotta love this medium ​@@mazzysmusic

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Nice one Mazzy. Glad you jumped onto this one. So many great artists. Superb idea @samstjohn

[@samstjohn1994]

Thanks brother!