Stop, you’re killing me. I’ve heard them all, and I just can’t handle any of them. Hank Williams (any of the 3), Patsy Cline, and George Jones also take me right to that place where laying down in front of the tractor seems like a reasonable way out. The only thing I hate worse than “real” country is country like Alabama or Kenny Chesney who think they’re rocking. Or maybe only just as bad.
Actually, I like Alabama’s 80s stuff. Not after that though.
Heh, no, man, you have to get Haggard at least once an hour.
I like Patsy Cline and George Jones fine, but they weren’t part of the outlaw movement, so it’s not really worth bringing them up with Cash. Cash wasn’t either, really, but he was the outlaw movement before the outlaw movement existed.
In any event, I have no idea how anyone can listen to Me and Bobby McGee, Sunday Morning Coming Down (covered by Cash) or Casey’s Last Ride (also covered by Cash) and not walk away with the belief that Kristofferson is pure genius. Heck, that drugged out hippie Janis Joplin couldn’t even screw up Me and Bobby McGee. THAT’S how good of a song that is.