Uprooted: The Best of Roots Country Singer/Songwriters

Uprooted: The Best of Roots Country Singer/Songwriters

ASIN: B000005ZA6

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This enjoyable and enlightening 14-song compilation sheds much-needed light on alternative country--both the music and term itself--and includes few, if any, weaknesses. As the notes explain, Uprooted highlights alt-country's notable artists and also displays the breadth of the genre, which has come to include any country-flavored music that is not contemporary Nashville swill. You'll find Earlesque roots-rock (Kevin Gordon), straight-up Hank (Wayne Hancock) or Hag (Dale Watson), delicate folk (Tom Russell and Iris DeMent), Texas prairie music (Don Walser), chimey country-pop (Ana Egge), brooding rock (Trish Murphy), contemporary bluegrass (Gwil Owen), outlaw (Libbi Bosworth), and progressive singer-songwriter (R.B. Morris). Paul Burch's superb "Jackson, TN" seems to owe as much to Roy Acuff as anyone else. Kelly Willis, a major-label refugee, enlists the support of acoustic Son Volt; meanwhile, Robbie Fulks, a major-label newcomer in 1998, recalls Nashville's prime with slippery vocal twang and unadorned lyrics. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

The Buck Starts Here - Robbie Fulks
He Don't Care About Me - Kelly Willis
Pity Party - Dale Watson
Beer & Kisses - Amy Rigby
Dissatisfied - Kevin Gordon
Box Of Visions - Tom Russell
The John Deere Tractor Song - Don Walser
Thunderstorms And Neon Signs - Wayne Hancock
River Under The Road - Ana Egge
Boiling Water - Trish Murphy
Mother Nature & Father Time - Gwil Owen
Jackson TN - Paul Burch
East Texas Pines - Libbi Bosworth
Take That Ride - R.B. Morris

Amazon.com

This enjoyable and enlightening 14-song compilation sheds much-needed light on alternative country--both the music and term itself--and includes few, if any, weaknesses. As the notes explain, Uprooted highlights alt-country's notable artists and also displays the breadth of the genre, which has come to include any country-flavored music that is not contemporary Nashville swill. You'll find Earlesque roots-rock (Kevin Gordon), straight-up Hank (Wayne Hancock) or Hag (Dale Watson), delicate folk (Tom Russell and Iris DeMent), Texas prairie music (Don Walser), chimey country-pop (Ana Egge), brooding rock (Trish Murphy), contemporary bluegrass (Gwil Owen), outlaw (Libbi Bosworth), and progressive singer-songwriter (R.B. Morris). Paul Burch's superb "Jackson, TN" seems to owe as much to Roy Acuff as anyone else. Kelly Willis, a major-label refugee, enlists the support of acoustic Son Volt; meanwhile, Robbie Fulks, a major-label newcomer in 1998, recalls Nashville's prime with slippery vocal twang and unadorned lyrics. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Refreshingly rootsy and honest.......2001-06-28

Some of these songs are much better than others, but on the whole this compilation is a great sampling of contemporary roots country, happily devoid of "alternative" cheek and/or Nashville-style fluff. A great starter kit for those just turning on to country music.

Looking For Something Different?.......2000-05-01

If you are tired of the "country" played on the radio then pick this album up. It includes all the things that make country, country, fiddles, steel guitars, etc. I found it a good introduction to artists I wasn't familiar with and have gone on to buy their albums. Enjoy!

Stiflingly dull!.......1999-10-27

There's a reason this stuff doesn't sell.

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review