COOL COUNTRY by Nick Tosches
Forget about Willie and Waylon. The following albums and singles contain within their grooves the bottom-line fundamentals of all that ever was, is, and will be cool in country music. Unless otherwise noted, all these records are either still in print or obtainable without much trouble. (For information regarding the rarer cool country stuff, drop six bucks for a copy of Country by yours truly.)
LEFTY FRIZZELL. Lefty Frizzell's Greatest Hits (Columbia). This anthology contains much of the best work by the man who in many ways was greater than his contemporary Hank Williams. (Took him longer to drink himself to death, for one.) Pay special attention to "if You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time." (web pick CD: Best Of)
GEORGE JONES. George Jones (United Artists). This two-record Super pak album features two of George's finest cuts, "The Warm Red Wine" and "Open Pit Mine." (web pick: She Thinks I Still Care)
JERRY LEE LEWIS. Another Place Another Time (Smash). 'Nuff said.
JIMMIE RODGERS. My Rough and Rowdy Ways (FICA). This is one of the best and raunchiest collections of early country that can be heard. "in the Jailhouse Now No. 2" is still as strong and cool as It was in 1930. (web picks: RCA Country Legends and The Essential Jimmie Rodgers)
ED SANDERS. Sanders' Truckstop (Reprise). Though this 1970 album is not easy to come by, it is probably the only truly hep pseudo-country record ever made.
LESTER "ROADHOG" MORAN & THE CADILLAC COWBOYS. Alive at the Johnny Mack Brown High School (Mercury). These characters are actually the Statler Brothers, and this album is the only really cool country comedy you'll ever hear. (web pick: The Complete)
HANK WILLIAMS. I Saw the Light (MGM). This set of Hank's cool Christian country sides proves that a man can pray and sway at the same time. Listen closely to "The Angel of Death." (web pick: The Ultimate Collection)
DICK CURLESS. "Chick Inspector" (Capitol). This 1973 single is so cool that it contains the only reference to pantyhose in the history of country music. (web pick: Drag 'Em Off the Interstate, Sock It To 'Em Hits of Dick Curless)
TOMPALL GLASER. "Texas Law Sez" (MGM). Hard to get, due to its partial suppression in 1974, but well worth the effort.
JIM MUNDY. "I'm a White Boy" (ABC-Dot). Merle Haggard wrote this song, but he didn't have the nerve to cut ft.
WYNN STEWART. "I'm Gonna Kill You" (Playboy). This 1975 single was the last country song to be nationally banned from airplay. (web pick: After the Storm)
PORTER WAGONER. "The Cold Hard Facts of Life" (FICA). The best cheatin' record in all of country. Hear it and discover the meaning not only of pathos, but also of Porter's hairdo. (web pick: The Essential)
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