Posted on 02/13/2009 11:45:39 AM PST by nickcarraway
Country music legend Merle Haggard, who is recovering from cancer surgery, has condemned young country stars, insisting they are having hits with all the wrong tunes.
The 71-year-old says he hates the songs of country music’’s current crop of leading ladies, with Carrie Underwood topping the list.
“Carrie Underwear, or Underwood. I mean, I like her, but where’’s the songs. You have to get past the belly buttons and the videos, Contactmusic quoted Haggard as telling America’’s Globe.
He also said country music today is so perfect. Maybe too perfect. “There are no surprises,” he said. “Everything is going to be perfect, and I can’t even hear someone breathe. That’s just my opinion. The electronic digital computer, anyone can do a record nowadays. You don’t have to stay in key or they’ll put you in key.” And he added that there is no better evidence of that than when you see an artist in concert: “You don’t really know who can sing or can’t until you see them in person, then you’re like, ‘Oh, my God, what happened?’”
“Today’s Country” music ain’t music and it damn sure ain’t country.
As a home recordist and a member of a couple of female fronted “new country” bands I can tell you I agree with him more than I disagree. He’s a little over the top but his points are valid.
I don’t enjoy recorded music much today because it is “too perfect”. It is also not really better than I can do at home. Johnny Cash’s Live at Folsum Prison is awesome in part because of the screw-ups, the announcements and the spontaneous stuff. It’s just fun.
The problem is that good vocalists are a dime a dozen and with digital mastering, even mediocre vocalists can sound amazing. It takes the humanness out of it in a very real way. It is an intangible that damages the lure of the music. I personally think it is just one of the reasons teh music industry is hurting right now.
Can't tell them apart, all spikey hair, shiny teeth, and glitter.
I listen to the good stuff: Hank, Bob Wills, Waymore, Johnny, Willie. New stuff just ain't got heart.
I’m with you. I hated the stuff until about ten years ago. I don’t get to see the artists since I don’t have TV, but I love most of the Miranda Lambert stuff. My bands play a lot of it. And Kelly Clarkston. There are some great male vocalists as well.
Merle Haggard: 'Rebuild America First' ("Let's get out of Iraq, back on track - rebuild USA first")
Haggard pens new song in honor of Obama
Not to say I disagree with his assessment of modern country music - Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney are the anti-Possums.
Alison Krauss has got the most beautiful singing voice.
I never see any of these people live, but my bands perform their stuff. Maybe we’re better than I thought...
Regardless of what we think, he's certainly entitled to his opinion.
The problem is that good vocalists are a dime a dozen and with digital mastering, even mediocre vocalists can sound amazing. It takes the humanness out of it in a very real way. It is an intangible that damages the lure of the music. I personally think it is just one of the reasons teh music industry is hurting right now.
I couldn't agree more!
>wheres the hard drinking, pot smoking, neer-do-well, addicted, fist-fighting, moral trainwreck, mot’ercyle riding, trailer park vanity of yesteryear.
Two words: Hank III
I just discovered Hank Thompson.
Seriously.
I love her CD “There’s More Where That Came From.”
I don’t know anything about Hank Thompson.
I second! Exhibit A: Hank III Workin' Man:
I woke up this mornin', kissed my wife goodbye
i pray to god that i'll make it home safe tonight
it's a dangerous job but i take that risk
i'll trade my blood and sweat just to feed my kids
i've been working for the man since a tender age
now a rich politician wants to lower my wage
pour me a drink so i can understand
these are the struggles of a working man
i work outside in the pouring rain
when it's cold as ice when i'm full of pain
it don't matter what i feel inside
as long as the job i'm working gets done on time
the boss man says works getting slow
pack up your tools boys and head on home
i pour another drink and try to understand
these are the struggles of a working man
you see i work construction
i build things
do you understand how important that is to the world?
i don't know if ya'll realize what kind of pressure that puts on a man like me
i love my wife and i raise my son, best i can, better then some
i just found out the other day i got another little one that'ts on the way
i took a new job down at the factory, ya it don't pay much but at least we can eat
i roll up a smoke and think a new plan? (can't really hear that)
these are the struggles of a working man
when down to the river just the other day
got down on my knees and began to pray
i said lord please won't you understand
the struggles of a working man
these are the struggles of a working man
>>I don’t know anything about Hank Thompson.<<
Notice this is actually live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2ZztLiFbdA&feature=PlayList&p=147F8F6E5286FA5F&playnext=1&index=27
>>I don’t know anything about Hank Thompson.<<
In the early days, live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRggYS0eP_U&feature=related
I was talking about Hank Williams upthread, not Hank Thompson.
That's all I can think of right now.
Sadly, with that great voice, she's a smoker. Nothing against smoking, but with as fantastic instrument as she has in her voice (and easy on the eyes!), I wish she did not smoke. It's like painting over a Van Gogh to match your couch.
I will concede Alison for the kids. But she has a blue grass background and that is likely the reason.
And like it more than ever. Go figure.
Country Music today is basically what was called Southern Rock not so long ago. Far more of it is derived from bands like Lynard Skynard than Merle Haggard.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.